National Healthcare Quality and Disparities Report
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Topics
- Access to Care (1)
- Adverse Events (4)
- Antibiotics (7)
- Back Health and Pain (1)
- Behavioral Health (1)
- Blood Clots (1)
- Cancer (6)
- Cancer: Breast Cancer (1)
- Cancer: Colorectal Cancer (2)
- Cancer: Prostate Cancer (4)
- Cancer: Skin Cancer (1)
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- Care Management (3)
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- Children/Adolescents (6)
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- Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems (CAHPS) (1)
- Decision Making (6)
- Diabetes (2)
- Diagnostic Safety and Quality (1)
- Disparities (1)
- Education: Continuing Medical Education (3)
- Education: Curriculum (1)
- Elderly (10)
- Electronic Health Records (EHRs) (4)
- Emergency Department (6)
- Evidence-Based Practice (3)
- Genetics (1)
- Guidelines (8)
- Healthcare-Associated Infections (HAIs) (2)
- Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project (HCUP) (1)
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- Health Information Technology (HIT) (1)
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- Hospitalization (1)
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- Imaging (1)
- Injuries and Wounds (1)
- Inpatient Care (2)
- Intensive Care Unit (ICU) (1)
- Kidney Disease and Health (1)
- Labor and Delivery (1)
- Long-Term Care (3)
- Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS) (1)
- Medicare (3)
- Medication (16)
- Mortality (1)
- Nursing (1)
- Nursing Homes (5)
- Obesity (1)
- Obesity: Weight Management (1)
- Opioids (11)
- Outcomes (1)
- Pain (3)
- Palliative Care (2)
- Patient-Centered Healthcare (1)
- Patient-Centered Outcomes Research (4)
- Patient Adherence/Compliance (1)
- Patient Safety (7)
- Payment (1)
- Policy (2)
- (-) Practice Patterns (60)
- Pregnancy (2)
- Prevention (1)
- Primary Care (7)
- Provider (3)
- Provider: Clinician (2)
- Provider: Health Personnel (3)
- Provider: Nurse (1)
- Provider: Pharmacist (2)
- Provider: Physician (2)
- Provider Performance (1)
- Quality Improvement (1)
- Quality Measures (1)
- Quality of Care (3)
- Racial and Ethnic Minorities (3)
- Respiratory Conditions (2)
- Risk (1)
- Screening (3)
- Sepsis (1)
- Social Media (1)
- Stroke (1)
- Substance Abuse (3)
- Surgery (8)
- Training (1)
- U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) (1)
- Urinary Tract Infection (UTI) (1)
- Vulnerable Populations (1)
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- Women (3)
- Young Adults (1)
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 60 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
Wang SY, Hsu SH, Huang S
Regional practice patterns and racial/ethnic differences in intensity of end-of-life care.
The purpose of this study was to examine whether regional practice patterns impact racial/ethnic differences in intensity of end-of-life care for cancer decedents. The investigators found that there was greater variation in intensity of end-of-life care among Hispanics, Asians, and whites in high-expenditure hospital referral regions (HRRs) than in low-expenditure HRRs.
AHRQ-funded; HS023900.
Citation: Wang SY, Hsu SH, Huang S .
Regional practice patterns and racial/ethnic differences in intensity of end-of-life care.
Health Serv Res 2018 Dec;53(6):4291-309. doi: 10.1111/1475-6773.12998..
Keywords: Cancer, Palliative Care, Practice Patterns, Racial and Ethnic Minorities
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
Axeen S
Trends in opioid use and prescribing in Medicare, 2006-2012.
The purpose of this study was to determine characteristics and trends in opioid use, questionable use, and prescribing in Medicare. The investigators conducted a retrospective analysis of a 20 percent sample of Medicare claims data. Estimates were adjusted using multivariable regression analysis. They found that opioid utilization and prescribing were increasingly heterogeneous from 2006 to 2012.
AHRQ-funded; HS024251.
Citation: Axeen S .
Trends in opioid use and prescribing in Medicare, 2006-2012.
Health Serv Res 2018 Oct;53(5):3309-28. doi: 10.1111/1475-6773.12846..
Keywords: Medicare, Medication, Opioids, Practice Patterns
Durkin MJ, Keller M, Butler AM
An assessment of inappropriate antibiotic use and guideline adherence for uncomplicated urinary tract infections.
In 2011, The Infectious Diseases Society of America released a clinical practice guideline (CPG) that recommended short-course antibiotic therapy and avoidance of fluoroquinolones for uncomplicated urinary tract infections (UTIs). This study assessed whether the CPG had an impact on national antibiotic prescribing practices. The study found that CPG was not associated with a clinically meaningful change in national antibiotic prescribing practices for UTIs.
AHRQ-funded; HS019455.
Citation: Durkin MJ, Keller M, Butler AM .
An assessment of inappropriate antibiotic use and guideline adherence for uncomplicated urinary tract infections.
Open Forum Infect Dis 2018 Sep;5(9):ofy198. doi: 10.1093/ofid/ofy198..
Keywords: Antibiotics, Decision Making, Guidelines, Practice Patterns, Urinary Tract Infection (UTI)
Lee DJ, Barocas DA, Zhao Z
Contemporary prostate cancer radiation therapy in the United States: patterns of care and compliance with quality measures.
This study measured compliance with quality measures for radiation therapy treatment of prostate cancer. The Comparative Effectiveness Analysis of Surgery and Radiation Study enrolled men who were treated for localized prostate cancer from 2011 and 2012. Medical records were reviewed, and patients completed surveys. Researchers concluded that men who received external beam radiation therapy (EBRT) were treated more appropriately than those treated with brachytherapy (BT). White men were also more likely to receive appropriate treatment than African-American and other minorities.
AHRQ-funded; HS019356; HS022640.
Citation: Lee DJ, Barocas DA, Zhao Z .
Contemporary prostate cancer radiation therapy in the United States: patterns of care and compliance with quality measures.
Pract Radiat Oncol 2018 Sep-Oct;8(5):307-16. doi: 10.1016/j.prro.2018.04.009..
Keywords: Cancer, Cancer: Prostate Cancer, Comparative Effectiveness, Evidence-Based Practice, Guidelines, Patient-Centered Outcomes Research, Practice Patterns, Quality Measures
Kanters AE, Shubeck SP, Sandhu G
Justifying our decisions about surgical technique: evidence from coaching conversations.
The objective of this qualitative study was to determine the extent to which practicing surgeons participating in a coaching program justify their technical decisions based on their experience or based on evidence. The investigators found that practicing surgeons often justify their surgical decisions with anecdotal evidence and "lessons learned," rather than deferring to surgical literature. The authors suggest that this either represents a lack of evidence or poor uptake of existing data.
AHRQ-funded; HS023597; HS000053.
Citation: Kanters AE, Shubeck SP, Sandhu G .
Justifying our decisions about surgical technique: evidence from coaching conversations.
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Keywords: Decision Making, Education: Continuing Medical Education, Provider, Practice Patterns, Surgery
Hewitt DB, Merkow RP, DeLancey JO
National practice patterns of completion lymph node dissection for sentinel node-positive melanoma.
In this study, the investigators examined the practice patterns of completion lymph node dissection (CLND) utilization. Using the National Cancer Database, the investigators examined CLND utilization in SLN-positive patients diagnosed with clinically node-negative Stage III melanoma from 2012 to 2015. They found that CLND utilization varied based on patient factors and decreased over time.
AHRQ-funded; HS000078.
Citation: Hewitt DB, Merkow RP, DeLancey JO .
National practice patterns of completion lymph node dissection for sentinel node-positive melanoma.
J Surg Oncol 2018 Sep;118(3):493-500. doi: 10.1002/jso.25160..
Keywords: Cancer: Skin Cancer, Practice Patterns
Hume PS, Varon J, Englert JA
Trends in "usual care" for septic shock.
The investigators examined changes in treatment patterns for septic shock in the emergency department (ED) of a large academic hospital. The investigators observed, from 2003 to 2013, significant reductions in time to antibiotics and fluids for patients with septic shock in the ED, underscoring the evolution of “usual care” over time. These findings may explain why early goal-directed therapy is not beneficial in the current era and may help inform ongoing deliberations regarding best practices for sepsis care.
AHRQ-funded; HS025008.
Citation: Hume PS, Varon J, Englert JA .
Trends in "usual care" for septic shock.
Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol 2018 Sep;39(9):1125-26. doi: 10.1017/ice.2018.154..
Keywords: Antibiotics, Emergency Department, Practice Patterns, Sepsis
Sekhri S, Arora NS, Cottrell H
Probability of opioid prescription refilling after surgery: does initial prescription dose matter?
In this study, the investigators sought to determine the correlation between the probability of postoperative opioid prescription refills and the amount of opioid prescribed, hypothesizing that a greater initial prescription yields a lower probability of refill. The investigators concluded that the probability of refilling prescription opioids after surgery was not correlated with initial prescription strength, suggesting surgeons could prescribe smaller prescriptions without influencing refill requests.
AHRQ-funded; HS023313.
Citation: Sekhri S, Arora NS, Cottrell H .
Probability of opioid prescription refilling after surgery: does initial prescription dose matter?
Ann Surg 2018 Aug;268(2):271-76. doi: 10.1097/sla.0000000000002308..
Keywords: Medication, Opioids, Pain, Practice Patterns, Substance Abuse, Surgery
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
Trent SA, Johnson MA, Morse EA
Patient, provider, and environmental factors associated with adherence to cardiovascular and cerebrovascular clinical practice guidelines in the ED.
The primary objectives of this study were to estimate differences in emergency department (ED) adherence across coronary-related clinical practice guidelines (CPGs) and identify patient, provider, and environmental factors associated with adherence. The investigators found that adherence to ED CPGs for acute coronary syndrome, ST-elevation myocardial infarction, or acute ischemic stroke, differs significantly between cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases and is more likely to occur when the diagnosis is highly suggested by the patient's complaint and acknowledged as the primary diagnosis by the treating ED physician.
AHRQ-funded; HS022400.
Citation: Trent SA, Johnson MA, Morse EA .
Patient, provider, and environmental factors associated with adherence to cardiovascular and cerebrovascular clinical practice guidelines in the ED.
Am J Emerg Med 2018 Aug;36(8):1397-404. doi: 10.1016/j.ajem.2017.12.062..
Keywords: Cardiovascular Conditions, Emergency Department, Guidelines, Practice Patterns
Wilson LE, Pollack CE, Greiner MA
Association between physician characteristics and the use of 21-gene recurrence score genomic testing among Medicare beneficiaries with early-stage breast cancer, 2008-2011.
This study sought to determine whether physician-level characteristics were associated with 21-gene recurrence score (RS) genomic testing to evaluate recurrence risk and benefit of adjuvant chemotherapy in patients with estrogen receptor-positive, node-negative breast cancer. The study concluded that although most RS testing was ordered by medical oncologists, physicians in other specialties ordered roughly one-third of the tests. Physician characteristics, including gender and time in practice, were associated with receiving testing.
AHRQ-funded; HS022189.
Citation: Wilson LE, Pollack CE, Greiner MA .
Association between physician characteristics and the use of 21-gene recurrence score genomic testing among Medicare beneficiaries with early-stage breast cancer, 2008-2011.
Breast Cancer Res Treat 2018 Jul;170(2):361-71. doi: 10.1007/s10549-018-4746-6..
Keywords: Cancer, Cancer: Breast Cancer, Genetics, Practice Patterns, Women
Lee JS, Parashar V, Miller JB
Opioid prescribing after curative-intent surgery: a qualitative study using the theoretical domains framework.
To identify targets for intervention, researchers performed a qualitative study of opioid prescribing after curative-intent surgery using the Theoretical Domains Framework, a well-established implementation science method for identifying factors influencing healthcare provider behavior. They concluded that key determinants of opioid prescribing behavior after curative-intent surgery include environmental and social factors. Interventions targeting these factors are likely to improve opioid prescribing in surgical oncology.
AHRQ-funded; HS023313.
Citation: Lee JS, Parashar V, Miller JB .
Opioid prescribing after curative-intent surgery: a qualitative study using the theoretical domains framework.
Ann Surg Oncol 2018 Jul;25(7):1843-51. doi: 10.1245/s10434-018-6466-x.
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Keywords: Medication, Opioids, Practice Patterns, Surgery
Pulia M, Kern M, Schwei RJ
Comparing appropriateness of antibiotics for nursing home residents by setting of prescription initiation: a cross-sectional analysis.
The objective of this study was to characterize antibiotic therapy for nursing home (NH) residents and compare appropriateness based on setting of prescription initiation. The study concluded that antibiotics initiated out-of-facility for NH residents constituted a small but not trivial percent of all prescriptions and inappropriate use was high in these settings.
AHRQ-funded; HS024342; HS022465.
Citation: Pulia M, Kern M, Schwei RJ .
Comparing appropriateness of antibiotics for nursing home residents by setting of prescription initiation: a cross-sectional analysis.
Antimicrob Resist Infect Control 2018 Jun 14;7:74. doi: 10.1186/s13756-018-0364-7..
Keywords: Elderly, Nursing Homes, Patient Safety, Practice Patterns
Axeen S, Seabury SA, Menchine M
Emergency department contribution to the prescription opioid epidemic.
The investigators used MEPS data to characterize the relative contribution of emergency departments (EDs) to national opioid prescribing, to estimate trends in opioid prescribing by site of care, and to examine whether higher-risk opioid users receive a disproportionate quantity of their opioids from ED settings. During the study period, they found that the relative contribution of EDs to the prescription opioid problem was modest and declining. They therefore recommended that further efforts to reduce the quantity of opioids prescribed focus on office-based settings.
AHRQ-funded; HS024251.
Citation: Axeen S, Seabury SA, Menchine M .
Emergency department contribution to the prescription opioid epidemic.
Ann Emerg Med 2018 Jun;71(6):659-67.e3. doi: 10.1016/j.annemergmed.2017.12.007..
Keywords: Behavioral Health, Emergency Department, Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS), Medication, Opioids, Practice Patterns, Substance Abuse
Cook B, Creedon T, Wang Y
Examining racial/ethnic differences in patterns of benzodiazepine prescription and misuse.
Electronic health record data from a large healthcare system were used to describe racial/ethnic, sex, and age differences in benzodiazepines (BZD) use and dependence. Among patients with a BZD prescription, the investigators assessed differences in: 1.) the likelihood of subsequently receiving a BZD dependence diagnosis, 2.) the number of BZD prescriptions, 3.) receiving only one BZD prescription, and 4.) receiving 18 or more BZD prescriptions.
AHRQ-funded; HS021486.
Citation: Cook B, Creedon T, Wang Y .
Examining racial/ethnic differences in patterns of benzodiazepine prescription and misuse.
Drug Alcohol Depend 2018 Jun 1;187:29-34. doi: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2018.02.011..
Keywords: Medication, Practice Patterns, Racial and Ethnic Minorities, Substance Abuse
Mitchell AP, Winn AN, Dusetzina SB
Pharmaceutical industry payments and oncologists' selection of targeted cancer therapies in Medicare beneficiaries.
The authors examined the association between oncologists’ receipt of payments from pharmaceutical manufacturers and drug selection in 2 situations where there are multiple treatment options. They found that, for 3 of the 6 cancer drugs studied, physicians who received general payments were more likely to prescribe the drug marketed by the company that made the payments, with imatinib being a notable exception.
AHRQ-funded; HS000032.
Citation: Mitchell AP, Winn AN, Dusetzina SB .
Pharmaceutical industry payments and oncologists' selection of targeted cancer therapies in Medicare beneficiaries.
JAMA Intern Med 2018 Jun;178(6):854-56. doi: 10.1001/jamainternmed.2018.0776.
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Keywords: Cancer, Medication, Practice Patterns
Murray MT, Johnson CL, Cohen B
Use of antibiotics in paediatric long-term care facilities.
The authors sought to describe antibiotic use in three pediatric long-term care (LTC) facilities and to describe the factors associated with use. They found that the use of antibiotics in pediatric LTC facilities is widespread. They recommended further assessment of antibiotic use in pediatric LTC facilities.
AHRQ-funded; HS021470.
Citation: Murray MT, Johnson CL, Cohen B .
Use of antibiotics in paediatric long-term care facilities.
J Hosp Infect 2018 Jun;99(2):139-44. doi: 10.1016/j.jhin.2017.10.019.
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Keywords: Antibiotics, Children/Adolescents, Healthcare-Associated Infections (HAIs), Long-Term Care, Practice Patterns
White VanGompel E, Main EK, Tancredi D
Do provider birth attitudes influence cesarean delivery rate: a cross-sectional study.
The authors estimated the association between individual provider attitudes towards birth and their low-risk primary cesarean rate. Through surveys of California providers of intrapartum care in 2013, they found that provider attitudinal differences are associated with nulliparous, term, singleton, vertex cesarean rates. Those meeting the HP2020 goal hold attitudes more favorable towards vaginal birth, suggesting a modifiable target for quality improvement initiatives to decrease low risk primary cesareans.
AHRQ-funded; HS022236.
Citation: White VanGompel E, Main EK, Tancredi D .
Do provider birth attitudes influence cesarean delivery rate: a cross-sectional study.
BMC Pregnancy Childbirth 2018 May 29;18(1):184. doi: 10.1186/s12884-018-1756-7.
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Keywords: Provider: Health Personnel, Labor and Delivery, Pregnancy, Practice Patterns
Kistler CE, Vu M, Sutkowi-Hemstreet A
Exploring factors that might influence primary-care provider discussion of and recommendation for prostate and colon cancer screening.
This study sought to examine circumstances under which primary-care providers would discuss and recommend two types of cancer screening services across a spectrum of net benefit and other factors known to influence screening. While most providers' reported practice patterns aligned with net benefit, some providers would discuss and recommend low-value cancer screening, particularly when faced with a patient request.
AHRQ-funded; HS019468; HS021133.
Citation: Kistler CE, Vu M, Sutkowi-Hemstreet A .
Exploring factors that might influence primary-care provider discussion of and recommendation for prostate and colon cancer screening.
Int J Gen Med 2018 May 17;11:179-90. doi: 10.2147/ijgm.s153887..
Keywords: Cancer: Colorectal Cancer, Cancer: Prostate Cancer, Primary Care, Practice Patterns, Screening
Singal AG, Corley DA, Kamineni A
Patterns and predictors of repeat fecal immunochemical and occult blood test screening in four large health care systems in the United States.
The objectives of this study were to characterize screening patterns and identify factors associated with repeat screening among patients who completed an index guaiac fecal occult blood test (gFOBT) or fecal immunochemical test (FIT). The investigators found that screening patterns varied substantially across healthcare systems, with consistent screening proportions ranging from 1 to 54.3% and no repeat screening proportions ranging from 6.9 to 42.8%. Consistent screening increased with older age but was less common among racial/ethnic minorities and patients with more comorbidities.
AHRQ-funded; HS022418.
Citation: Singal AG, Corley DA, Kamineni A .
Patterns and predictors of repeat fecal immunochemical and occult blood test screening in four large health care systems in the United States.
Am J Gastroenterol 2018 May;113(5):746-54. doi: 10.1038/s41395-018-0023-x..
Keywords: Screening, Cancer: Colorectal Cancer, Cancer, Practice Patterns, Diagnostic Safety and Quality
Raji MA, Kuo YF, Adhikari D
Decline in opioid prescribing after federal rescheduling of hydrocodone products.
This study examined differences in opioid prescribing by patient characteristics and variation in hydrocodone combination product (HCP) prescribing attributed to states, before and after the 2014 Drug Enforcement Administration's reclassification of HCP from schedule III to the more restrictive schedule II. It found that HCP prescribing decreased by 26 percent from June 2013 to June 2015; the rate of prescriptions for any opioid decreased by 11 percent.
AHRQ-funded; HS022134.
Citation: Raji MA, Kuo YF, Adhikari D .
Decline in opioid prescribing after federal rescheduling of hydrocodone products.
Pharmacoepidemiol Drug Saf 2018 May;27(5):513-19. doi: 10.1002/pds.4376.
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Keywords: Policy, Opioids, Practice Patterns, Policy
Sun SA, Ma X, Li G
Epidemiologic patterns of in-hospital anaphylaxis in pediatric surgical patients.
This research letter looks into epidemiologic patterns of in-hospital anaphylaxis in pediatric surgical patients. Data from the study came from the Kids’ Inpatient Database (KIDS), which is released every 3 years. The data came from the 2003, 2006, 2009 and 2012 KID data sets. Children were included if they had a surgical admission for anaphylaxis which is interpreted as an in-hospital event. Overall in-hospital mortality for all children was 0.38% but for in-hospital anaphylaxis was 2.47%. The most common reason children were in the hospital before the event was hematological and myeloproliferative disorders, with the largest percentage undergoing bone marrow transplant procedures. Although the exact cause of the reaction was not known, hypersensitivity to chemotherapeutic agents and more recent mAb treatments have been identified as reasons for the in-hospital anaphylaxis.
AHRQ-funded; HS022941.
Citation: Sun SA, Ma X, Li G .
Epidemiologic patterns of in-hospital anaphylaxis in pediatric surgical patients.
J Allergy Clin Immunol 2018 May;141(5):1904-05.e2. doi: 10.1016/j.jaci.2017.11.030..
Keywords: Adverse Events, Children/Adolescents, Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project (HCUP), Hospitalization, Hospitals, Inpatient Care, Practice Patterns, Surgery
Kuo YF, Raji MA, Liaw V
Opioid prescriptions in older Medicare beneficiaries after the 2014 federal rescheduling of hydrocodone products.
The authors sought to examine how an October 2014 Drug Enforcement Administration policy reclassified hydrocodone product from schedule III to II has affected older adults. They found that the 2014 change in hydrocodone from schedule III to schedule II was associated with modest decreases in rates of opioid use in the elderly. They also found an unexpected increase in opioid-related hospitalizations without documented opioid prescriptions, which may represent an increase in illegal use.
AHRQ-funded; HS022134.
Citation: Kuo YF, Raji MA, Liaw V .
Opioid prescriptions in older Medicare beneficiaries after the 2014 federal rescheduling of hydrocodone products.
J Am Geriatr Soc 2018 May;66(5):945-53. doi: 10.1111/jgs.15332.
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Keywords: Elderly, Medicare, Opioids, Policy, Practice Patterns