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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 4 of 4 Research Studies DisplayedIyer AS, Goodrich CA, Dransfield MT
End-of-life spending and healthcare utilization among older adults with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
This study examined end-of-life spending and healthcare utilization among Medicare beneficiaries aged 65 years or older with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) who died during the period 2013-2014. Data on 146,240 decedents with COPD was investigated from 306 hospital referral regions (HRRs). The overall spending during the last 2 years of life varied significantly nationwide. Inpatient care accounted for 40.2% of spending, with 82% of decedents admitted to the hospital for 13.7±3.1 days and 55%±11% admitted to an intensive care unit for 3-7 days. Skilled nursing facilities accounted for 11.6% of spending and were utilized by 31-45% of decedents for 14-23 days. Hospitals were utilized by 39-56% of decedents and accounted for 10.3% of spending.
AHRQ-funded; HS023009.
Citation: Iyer AS, Goodrich CA, Dransfield MT .
End-of-life spending and healthcare utilization among older adults with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
Am J Med 2020 Jul;133(7):817-24.e1. doi: 10.1016/j.amjmed.2019.11.024..
Keywords: Elderly, Healthcare Utilization, Respiratory Conditions, Chronic Conditions, Healthcare Costs, Palliative Care
Fiala MA, Gettinger T, Wallace CL
Cost differential associated with hospice use among older patients with multiple myeloma.
Hospice is an effective end-of-life care approach for patients with incurable illnesses such as multiple myeloma; however, it has been historically underutilized. In addition to improving quality of life, hospice enrollment reduces healthcare spending in many incurable illnesses but this has been unstudied in the myeloma population to date. This study examined the cost differential associated with hospice use among older patients with multiple myeloma.
AHRQ-funded; R24 HS019455.
Citation: Fiala MA, Gettinger T, Wallace CL .
Cost differential associated with hospice use among older patients with multiple myeloma.
J Geriatr Oncol 2020 Jan;11(1):88-92. doi: 10.1016/j.jgo.2019.06.010..
Keywords: Elderly, Palliative Care, Cancer, Healthcare Costs
Makam AN, Tran T, Miller ME
The clinical course after long-term acute care hospital admission among older Medicare beneficiaries.
Investigators sought to examine the clinical course after long-term acute care (LTAC) admission. They found that hospitalized older adults transferred to LTAC hospitals had poor survival, spent most of their remaining life as an inpatient, and frequently underwent life-prolonging procedures. This prognostic understanding is essential to inform goals of care discussions and to prioritize healthcare needs for these adults. Given the exceedingly low rates of palliative care consultations, they recommend future research to examine unmet palliative care needs in this population.
AHRQ-funded; HS022418.
Citation: Makam AN, Tran T, Miller ME .
The clinical course after long-term acute care hospital admission among older Medicare beneficiaries.
J Am Geriatr Soc 2019 Nov;67(11):2282-88. doi: 10.1111/jgs.16106..
Keywords: Elderly, Medicare, Palliative Care, Patient-Centered Outcomes Research, Outcomes, Care Management, Healthcare Delivery
Armstrong MJ, Alliance S, Corsentino P
Cause of death and end-of-life experiences in individuals with dementia with Lewy bodies.
Researchers investigate the natural history, cause of death, and end-of-life experiences of individuals diagnosed with dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB). In the 20-question survey, respondents indicated that physicians rarely discussed what to expect at the end of life and that the caregiver usually initiated such conversations. Failure to thrive was the most common cause of death, followed by pneumonia and swallowing difficulties, other medical conditions, and complications from falling. The researchers conclude that the study results highlight a critical need for better prognostic counseling and education for persons and families living with DLB, and they recommended further study.
AHRQ-funded; HS024159.
Citation: Armstrong MJ, Alliance S, Corsentino P .
Cause of death and end-of-life experiences in individuals with dementia with Lewy bodies.
J Am Geriatr Soc 2019 Jan;67(1):67-73. doi: 10.1111/jgs.15608..
Keywords: Dementia, Neurological Disorders, Patient Experience, Palliative Care, Mortality, Elderly