National Healthcare Quality and Disparities Report
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AHRQ Research Studies
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Research Studies is a compilation of published research articles funded by AHRQ or authored by AHRQ researchers.
Results
1 to 25 of 92 Research Studies DisplayedMundkur ML, Franklin J, Huybrechts KF
Changes in outpatient use of antibiotics by adults in the United States, 2006-2015.
The two goals of this observational study were to describe general trends in outpatient antibiotic use among adults from 2006 to 2015, and to identify rapid shifts in use during this time period as potential indicators for key events. Patients aged 18 years and older were selected from the Optum Clinformatics Datamart, a commercial insurance claims database; linear regression was used to identify trends in use over multiple years, and change-point regression was used to identify rapid shifts in use within individual years. Outpatient use of antibiotics from 2006 to 2015 decreased substantially among adults. Rapid shifts in use occurring in 2008 and 2013 may reflect the presence of key drivers of change.
AHRQ-funded; HS024930; 233201500020I.
Citation: Mundkur ML, Franklin J, Huybrechts KF .
Changes in outpatient use of antibiotics by adults in the United States, 2006-2015.
Drug Saf 2018 Dec;41(12):1333-42. doi: 10.1007/s40264-018-0697-4..
Keywords: Antibiotics, Healthcare Utilization, Medication, Practice Patterns
Zhou M, Oakes AH, Bridges JFP
Regional supply of medical resources and systemic overuse of health care among Medicare beneficiaries.
The goal of this study was to explore health care system factors associated with regional variation in overuse of resources, as measured by the Johns Hopkins Overuse Index (JHOI). Medicare fee-for-service claims data from beneficiaries age 65 was used to calculate the JHOI for 306 hospital referral regions in the U.S. Regions with a higher density of primary care physicians had a lower JHOI, which indicates less systemic overuse. Regional characteristics associated with higher JHOI included the number of acute care hospital beds per 1000 residents and number of hospital-based anesthesiologists, pathologists, and radiologists. The authors conclude that regional variations in health care resources are associated with the level of systemic overuse of health care, and that the role of primary care doctors in reducing overuse deserves further attention.
AHRQ-funded; T32 HS000029.
Citation: Zhou M, Oakes AH, Bridges JFP .
Regional supply of medical resources and systemic overuse of health care among Medicare beneficiaries.
J Gen Intern Med 2018 Dec;33(12):2127-31. doi: 10.1007/s11606-018-4638-9..
Keywords: Access to Care, Elderly, Healthcare Delivery, Healthcare Utilization, Medicare, Practice Patterns
Moulin A, Evans EJ, Xing G
Substance use, homelessness, mental illness and Medicaid coverage: a set-up for high emergency department utilization.
The objective of this study was to identify characteristics unique to patients with psychiatric illness who are frequent emergency department (ED) users for mental health care. The authors suggest that understanding unique features of this population could lead to better care and lower healthcare costs. The authors concluded that patients with substance use disorders, homelessness and public healthcare coverage were more likely to be frequent users of EDs for mental illness.
AHRQ-funded; HS022236.
Citation: Moulin A, Evans EJ, Xing G .
Substance use, homelessness, mental illness and Medicaid coverage: a set-up for high emergency department utilization.
West J Emerg Med 2018 Nov;19(6):902-06. doi: 10.5811/westjem.2018.9.38954..
Keywords: Emergency Department, Medicaid, Healthcare Utilization, Behavioral Health, Substance Abuse, Vulnerable Populations
Bradley CJ, Neumark D, Walker LS
The effect of primary care visits on other health care utilization: a randomized controlled trial of cash incentives offered to low income, uninsured adults in Virginia.
Investigators recruited low-income uninsured adults in Virginia to determine whether cash incentives would encourage primary care provider (PCP) visits as opposed to going to the hospital emergency room. This randomized, controlled trial determined that PCP visits did increase but no reductions in overall costs occurred there was an offset from increased outpatient utilization.
AHRQ-funded; HS022534.
Citation: Bradley CJ, Neumark D, Walker LS .
The effect of primary care visits on other health care utilization: a randomized controlled trial of cash incentives offered to low income, uninsured adults in Virginia.
J Health Econ 2018 Nov;62:121-33. doi: 10.1016/j.jhealeco.2018.07.006..
Keywords: Healthcare Utilization, Health Insurance, Low-Income, Primary Care, Uninsured, Vulnerable Populations
Lifland B, Wright DR, Mangione-Smith R
The impact of an adolescent depressive disorders clinical pathway on healthcare utilization.
The purpose of this study was to examine the association between level of adherence to an adolescent depressive disorders inpatient clinical pathway with psychiatric patients’ length of stay (LOS), cost, and readmissions. Patients in the high-adherence category were found to have significantly longer LOS and higher costs when compared to those in the low-adherence category. The authors conclude that understanding which of the care processes within the pathway are most cost-effective for improving patient-centered outcomes requires further investigation.
AHRQ-funded; HS024299.
Citation: Lifland B, Wright DR, Mangione-Smith R .
The impact of an adolescent depressive disorders clinical pathway on healthcare utilization.
Adm Policy Ment Health 2018 Nov;45(6):979-87. doi: 10.1007/s10488-018-0878-6..
Keywords: Care Management, Children/Adolescents, Depression, Healthcare Costs, Healthcare Utilization, Hospital Readmissions, Hospitalization, Inpatient Care, Behavioral Health, Outcomes, Patient-Centered Outcomes Research
Huguet N, Springer R, Marino M
The impact of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) Medicaid expansion on visit rates for diabetes in safety net health centers.
The objectives of this study were to: (1) compare clinic-level uninsured, Medicaid-insured, and privately insured visit rates within and between expansion and nonexpansion states before and after the Affordable Care Act (ACA) Medicaid expansion among the 3 cohorts of patient populations; and (2) assess whether there was a change in clinic-level overall, primary care visits, preventive care visits, and diabetes screening rates in expansion versus nonexpansion states from pre-ACA to post-ACA Medicaid expansion.
AHRQ-funded; HS024270.
Citation: Huguet N, Springer R, Marino M .
The impact of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) Medicaid expansion on visit rates for diabetes in safety net health centers.
J Am Board Fam Med 2018 Nov-Dec;31(6):905-16. doi: 10.3122/jabfm.2018.06.180075..
Keywords: Diabetes, Healthcare Utilization, Policy, Medicaid
Lamplot JD, Bansal A, Nguyen JT
Risk of subsequent joint arthroplasty in contralateral or different joint after index shoulder, hip, or knee arthroplasty: association with index joint, demographics, and patient-specific factors.
The purpose of this study using HCUP data was to determine how demographic and other patient-specific factors are associated with the risk of subsequent joint replacement in the contralateral or a different joint following an index joint replacement for osteoarthritis. Results showed a relatively high risk of subsequent replacement of the contralateral joint and a relatively low risk of subsequent replacement of a different joint within 5 to 8 years after an index total hip arthroplasty, total knee arthroplasty, or total shoulder arthroplasty. Obesity was associated with a higher risk of subsequent replacement of the contralateral joint or a different joint.
AHRQ-funded; HS019455.
Citation: Lamplot JD, Bansal A, Nguyen JT .
Risk of subsequent joint arthroplasty in contralateral or different joint after index shoulder, hip, or knee arthroplasty: association with index joint, demographics, and patient-specific factors.
J Bone Joint Surg Am 2018 Oct 17;100(20):1750-56. doi: 10.2106/jbjs.17.00948..
Keywords: Arthritis, Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project (HCUP), Risk, Surgery, Orthopedics, Healthcare Utilization
Harris VC, Links AR, Walsh J
A systematic review of race/ethnicity and parental treatment decision-making.
Researchers examined patient race/ethnicity as it affects health care utilization, provider trust, and treatment choice in pediatric care. Pooled results from their systematic review showed (1) racial/ethnic minorities tended to prefer more aggressive end-of-life care; (2) familial tradition of neonatal circumcision influenced the decision to circumcise; and (3) non-Hispanic Whites were less likely to pursue human papillomavirus vaccination but more likely to complete the vaccine series if initiated. They recommended further investigation.
AHRQ-funded; HS022932.
Citation: Harris VC, Links AR, Walsh J .
A systematic review of race/ethnicity and parental treatment decision-making.
Clin Pediatr 2018 Oct;57(12):1453-64. doi: 10.1177/0009922818788307..
Keywords: Children/Adolescents, Decision Making, Caregiving, Racial and Ethnic Minorities, Healthcare Utilization
Hilliard PE, Waljee J, Moser S
Prevalence of preoperative opioid use and characteristics associated with opioid use among patients presenting for surgery.
Researchers assessed the prevalence of preoperative opioid use and the characteristics of patients in a broadly representative surgical cohort. They found that patients undergoing lower extremity procedures were most likely to report preoperative opioid use, with 1 in 4 of all patients presenting for surgery reporting such use. They concluded that the data provided important insights into this population and would appear to help guide future preoperative optimization and perioperative opioid-weaning interventions.
AHRQ-funded; HS023313.
Citation: Hilliard PE, Waljee J, Moser S .
Prevalence of preoperative opioid use and characteristics associated with opioid use among patients presenting for surgery.
JAMA Surg 2018 Oct;153(10):929-37. doi: 10.1001/jamasurg.2018.2102..
Keywords: Opioids, Surgery, Pain, Medication, Healthcare Utilization, Orthopedics
Jeffery MM, Wolfson J, Meier SK
Health care service use among elderly seasonal migrators.
Little research is available to guide providers and payers on the service use of seasonal migrators. The authors use claims data on fee-for-service (FFS) Medicare beneficiaries' locations throughout the year to (1) identify seasonal migrators and (2) describe the care they receive in each seasonal home, focusing on primary care and emergency department (ED) visits and the relationships between the two.
AHRQ-funded.
Citation: Jeffery MM, Wolfson J, Meier SK .
Health care service use among elderly seasonal migrators.
Popul Health Manag 2018 Oct;21(5):415-21. doi: 10.1089/pop.2017.0155..
Keywords: Access to Care, Elderly, Healthcare Utilization, Health Services Research (HSR)
Albrecht JS, Hanna M, Kim D
Increased health care utilization in dementia subtypes before diagnosis.
The objectives of this study were to identify Alzheimer disease and related dementia (ADRD) subtypes and: (1) characterize all-cause and (2) disease-specific health care utilization (HCU) during the 3 years preceding diagnosis, and (3) determine if HCU varied by ADRD subtype. Among other results, the investigators found that HCU increased over time, was highest in the outpatient setting, and varied by ADRD subtype.
AHRQ-funded; HS024560.
Citation: Albrecht JS, Hanna M, Kim D .
Increased health care utilization in dementia subtypes before diagnosis.
Alzheimer Dis Assoc Disord 2018 Oct-Dec;32(4):326-32. doi: 10.1097/wad.0000000000000277..
Keywords: Dementia, Healthcare Utilization
Chung S, Romanelli RJ, Stults CD
Preventive visit among older adults with Medicare's introduction of annual wellness visit: closing gaps in underutilization.
The study of Medicare beneficiaries aged 65 to 85 from a mixed-payer multispecialty outpatient healthcare organization in northern California between 2007 and 2016, evaluated changes in preventive visit utilization with Medicare's introduction of Annual Wellness Visits (AWVs) in 2011. It further assessed how coverage expansion differentially affected older adults who were previously underutilizing the service.
AHRQ-funded; HS019815.
Citation: Chung S, Romanelli RJ, Stults CD .
Preventive visit among older adults with Medicare's introduction of annual wellness visit: closing gaps in underutilization.
Prev Med 2018 Oct;115:110-18. doi: 10.1016/j.ypmed.2018.08.018..
Keywords: Elderly, Healthcare Utilization, Medicare, Prevention
Hirayama A, Goto T, Shimada YJ
Acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and subsequent risk of emergency department visits and hospitalizations for atrial fibrillation.
Although emerging evidence has suggested the relationship of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease with atrial fibrillation (AF), little is known about whether acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPD) increases the risk of repeated AF-related healthcare utilization. The investigators found that among patients with existing AF, AECOPD was associated with a higher risk of AF-related ED visit or hospitalization in the first 90-day post-AECOPD period.
AHRQ-funded; HS023305.
Citation: Hirayama A, Goto T, Shimada YJ .
Acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and subsequent risk of emergency department visits and hospitalizations for atrial fibrillation.
Circ Arrhythm Electrophysiol 2018 Sep;11(9):e006322. doi: 10.1161/circep.118.006322..
Keywords: Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project (HCUP), Emergency Department, Respiratory Conditions, Heart Disease and Health, Cardiovascular Conditions, Chronic Conditions, Hospitalization, Risk, Healthcare Utilization
Auger KA, Shah SS, Tubbs-Cooley HL
Effects of a 1-time nurse-led telephone call after pediatric discharge: the H2O II randomized clinical trial.
The purpose of this study was to determine whether a single nurse-led telephone call after pediatric discharge decreased the 30-day reutilization rate for urgent care services and enhanced overall transition success. The investigators concluded that although postdischarge nurse contact did not decrease the reutilization rate of postdischarge urgent health care services, the method showed promise to bolster postdischarge education.
AHRQ-funded; HS024735.
Citation: Auger KA, Shah SS, Tubbs-Cooley HL .
Effects of a 1-time nurse-led telephone call after pediatric discharge: the H2O II randomized clinical trial.
JAMA Pediatr 2018 Sep;172(9):e181482. doi: 10.1001/jamapediatrics.2018.1482..
Keywords: Care Coordination, Children/Adolescents, Health Information Technology (HIT), Health Services Research (HSR), Healthcare Delivery, Healthcare Utilization, Hospital Discharge, Outcomes, Provider, Provider: Nurse, Telehealth, Transitions of Care
Zhu J, Alexander GC, Nazarian S
Trends and variation in oral anticoagulant choice in patients with atrial fibrillation, 2010-2017.
This paper discusses trends in usage of oral anticoagulants in patients with atrial fibrillation from 2010 to 2017. Since 2010, several non-vitamin K antagonist oral coagulants (NOACs) have been brought to the US market. This study examined trends in usage. A cross-sectional analysis of medical and pharmacy claims was done for commercial and Medicare Advantage enrollees in a large, private, US Health plan. A total of 112,187 adults with nonvalvular AF starting OACs was identified. In the first quarter of 2017, out of 7502 patients starting OACs, 78.9% used NOACs and 21.1% warfarin. Usage of regular anticoagulants such as apixaban increases with age, female sex, stroke or bleeding risk and comorbidities. Warfarin and apixaban are generally preferred for elderly patients and patients with higher stroke or bleeding risk.
AHRQ-funded; HS024737.
Citation: Zhu J, Alexander GC, Nazarian S .
Trends and variation in oral anticoagulant choice in patients with atrial fibrillation, 2010-2017.
Pharmacotherapy 2018 Sep;38(9):907-20. doi: 10.1002/phar.2158..
Keywords: Blood Thinners, Cardiovascular Conditions, Healthcare Utilization, Heart Disease and Health, Medication
Yun BJ, Borczuk P, Zachrison KS
Utilization of head CT during injury visits to United States emergency departments: 2012-2015.
This study examined national trends in utilization of head computed tomography (CT) imaging in emergency department (ED) patients presenting with an injury-related visit. Data from the US National Hospital Ambulatory Medical Care Survey from 2012 to 2015 was used to find ED patients who had at least one head CT. Overall there was an increase (11.7-13.23%) but it was not statistically significant.
AHRQ-funded; HS024561.
Citation: Yun BJ, Borczuk P, Zachrison KS .
Utilization of head CT during injury visits to United States emergency departments: 2012-2015.
Am J Emerg Med 2018 Aug;36(8):1463-66. doi: 10.1016/j.ajem.2018.05.018..
Keywords: Healthcare Utilization, Emergency Department, Imaging, Injuries and Wounds, Practice Patterns
Chaaban MR, Zhang D, Resto V
Factors influencing recurrent emergency department visits for epistaxis in the elderly.
The objective of the study was to determine the risk factors associated with recurrent epistaxis requiring emergency department (ED) visits in the elderly. The investigators concluded that additional ED visits for epistaxis were more common in the elderly and in males. Congestive heart failure, diabetes mellitus and obstructive sleep apnea were found to be independent risk factors.
AHRQ-funded; HS022134.
Citation: Chaaban MR, Zhang D, Resto V .
Factors influencing recurrent emergency department visits for epistaxis in the elderly.
Auris Nasus Larynx 2018 Aug;45(4):760-64. doi: 10.1016/j.anl.2017.11.010..
Keywords: Elderly, Emergency Department, Risk, Respiratory Conditions, Healthcare Utilization
Biener AI, Zuvekas SH, Hill SC
AHRQ Author: Biener AI, Zuvekas SH, Hill SC
Impact of recent Medicaid expansions on office-based primary care and specialty care among the newly eligible.
The objective of this study was to quantify the effect of Medicaid expansions on office-based care among the newly eligible. The investigators concluded that State Medicaid expansions in 2014 were associated with greater likelihoods of visits with a variety of office-based providers. The estimated effects were larger among newly eligible compared with previous estimates on broader populations of low-income adults.
AHRQ-authored.
Citation: Biener AI, Zuvekas SH, Hill SC .
Impact of recent Medicaid expansions on office-based primary care and specialty care among the newly eligible.
Health Serv Res 2018 Aug;53(4):2426-45. doi: 10.1111/1475-6773.12793.
.
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Keywords: Access to Care, Healthcare Utilization, Medicaid, Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS), Primary Care
Modi PK, Kaufman SR, Borza T
Variation in prostate cancer treatment and spending among Medicare shared savings program accountable care organizations.
This study assessed whether the level of engagement in accountable care organizations (ACOs) by urologists affected rates of treatment, overtreatment, and spending. The investigators found that ACOs vary widely in treatment, potential overtreatment, and spending for prostate cancer. ACOs with stronger urologist engagement were less likely to treat men with a high risk of noncancer mortality, and this suggests that organizations that better engage specialists may be able to improve the value of specialty care.
AHRQ-funded; HS024728; HS025707; HS024525.
Citation: Modi PK, Kaufman SR, Borza T .
Variation in prostate cancer treatment and spending among Medicare shared savings program accountable care organizations.
Cancer 2018 Aug;124(16):3364-71. doi: 10.1002/cncr.31573..
Keywords: Cancer: Prostate Cancer, Healthcare Costs, Healthcare Utilization, Medicare
Milani CJ, Rundell SD, Jarvik JG
Associations of race and ethnicity with patient-reported outcomes and health care utilization among older adults initiating a new episode of care for back pain.
The purpose of this study was to characterize associations of self-reported race/ethnicity with back pain (BP) patient-reported outcomes and health care utilization among older adults with a new episode of care for BP. The investigators found that Blacks and Hispanics had slightly less improvement in BP-related functional limitations over time, and less spine-related health care utilization, as compared to whites and non-Hispanics, respectively. The authors suggested that residual confounding may explain some of the association between race/ethnicity and health outcomes.
AHRQ-funded; HS019222; HS022972.
Citation: Milani CJ, Rundell SD, Jarvik JG .
Associations of race and ethnicity with patient-reported outcomes and health care utilization among older adults initiating a new episode of care for back pain.
Spine 2018 Jul 15;43(14):1007-17. doi: 10.1097/brs.0000000000002499..
Keywords: Back Health and Pain, Elderly, Healthcare Utilization, Outcomes, Racial and Ethnic Minorities
Angraal S, Khera R, Wang Y
Sex and race differences in the utilization and outcomes of coronary artery bypass grafting among Medicare beneficiaries, 1999-2014.
The authors sought to evaluate how the use of coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) and its outcomes have evolved in different sex and racial subgroups. Using Medicare data, they found that women and black patients had persistently higher CABG mortality than men and white patients, respectively, despite greater declines over the time period. The authors conclude that these findings indicate progress, but further progress is needed.
AHRQ-funded; HS023000.
Citation: Angraal S, Khera R, Wang Y .
Sex and race differences in the utilization and outcomes of coronary artery bypass grafting among Medicare beneficiaries, 1999-2014.
J Am Heart Assoc 2018 Jul 12;7(14). doi: 10.1161/jaha.118.009014..
Keywords: Cardiovascular Conditions, Elderly, Evidence-Based Practice, Heart Disease and Health, Healthcare Utilization, Medicare, Outcomes, Patient-Centered Outcomes Research, Racial and Ethnic Minorities, Sex Factors
Roth JA, Carter-Harris L, Brandzel S
A qualitative study exploring patient motivations for screening for lung cancer.
The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore the motivations for screening-eligible patients to screen for lung cancer. The investigators concluded that participants in their study were primarily motivated to screen for lung cancer based on perceived benefit of early-detection, absence of safety concerns, and personal relationships. They suggest that their findings can potentially be used to improve lung cancer screening uptake and shared decision-making processes.
AHRQ-funded; HS022982.
Citation: Roth JA, Carter-Harris L, Brandzel S .
A qualitative study exploring patient motivations for screening for lung cancer.
PLoS One 2018 Jul 5;13(7):e0196758. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0196758..
Keywords: Cancer: Lung Cancer, Decision Making, Healthcare Utilization, Screening
Arthur KC, Mangione-Smith R, Burkhart Q
Quality of care for children with medical complexity: an analysis of continuity of care as a potential quality indicator.
The objective of this study was to examine the relationship between continuity of care for children with medical complexity (CMC) and emergency department (ED) utilization, care coordination quality, and family effects related to care coordination. The investigators measured ED utilization and primary care continuity with the Bice-Boxerman continuity of care index for 1477 CMC using administrative data from Minnesota and Washington state Medicaid agencies. They concluded that continuity of care holds promise as a quality measure for CMC because of its association with lower ED utilization and more frequent receipt of care coordination.
AHRQ-funded; HS020506.
Citation: Arthur KC, Mangione-Smith R, Burkhart Q .
Quality of care for children with medical complexity: an analysis of continuity of care as a potential quality indicator.
Acad Pediatr 2018 Aug;18(6):669-76. doi: 10.1016/j.acap.2018.04.009..
Keywords: Care Coordination, Children/Adolescents, Chronic Conditions, Emergency Department, Healthcare Utilization, Primary Care, Quality of Care, Quality Indicators (QIs), Quality Measures
Haverkamp MH, Peiris D, Mainor AJ
ACOs with risk-bearing experience are likely taking steps to reduce low-value medical services.
The authors of this study set out to identify accountable care organizations (ACO) characteristics associated with implementation of strategies to reduce overuse of low-value medical services. The study concluded that in the first year of implementation, just one-third of ACOs had taken steps to reduce the use of low-value medical services. Safety-net ACOs and those with little experience as a risk-bearing organization need more time and support from healthcare payers and the Choosing Wisely campaign to prioritize the reduction of overuse.
AHRQ-funded; HS023812; HS024075.
Citation: Haverkamp MH, Peiris D, Mainor AJ .
ACOs with risk-bearing experience are likely taking steps to reduce low-value medical services.
Am J Manag Care 2018 Jul;24(7):e216-e21..
Keywords: Decision Making, Healthcare Utilization, Health Services Research (HSR)
Joseph D, Vogel JA, Smith CS
Alcohol as a factor in 911 calls in Denver.
This study analyzed data from 911 calls in Denver, Colorado to determine the impact of excessive alcohol consumption on those calls. The number of calls made from July 1, 2012 to June 30, 2014 was 169,642 and of those calls 30% had alcohol consumption has a main factor, and 29% as a contribution factor. These calls were more likely associated with male sex, traumatic injuries, advanced monitoring, airway adjuncts, and medications for sedation.
AHRQ-funded; HS023901.
Citation: Joseph D, Vogel JA, Smith CS .
Alcohol as a factor in 911 calls in Denver.
Prehosp Emerg Care 2018 Jul-Aug;22(4):427-35. doi: 10.1080/10903127.2017.1413467..
Keywords: Alcohol Use, Emergency Department, Emergency Medical Services (EMS), Healthcare Utilization