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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 9 of 9 Research Studies DisplayedMa AL, Cohen RS, Lee HC
Learning from wildfire disaster experience in California NICUs.
The authors’ objective was to learn how personnel working in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) of California hospitals handled issues of neonatal transfer during wildfire disasters in recent years; their ultimate goal was to share lessons learned with healthcare teams on disaster preparedness. They found that while describing disaster preparedness, equipment (such as bassinets and backpacks), ambulance access/transport and documentation/charting were noted as important and essential. They concluded that teamwork, willingness to do other tasks that are not part of typical job descriptions, and unconventional strategies contributed to the success of keeping NICU babies safe when California wildfire strikes.
AHRQ-funded; HS023506.
Citation: Ma AL, Cohen RS, Lee HC .
Learning from wildfire disaster experience in California NICUs.
Children 2020 Oct;7(10):E155. doi: 10.3390/children7100155..
Keywords: Newborns/Infants, Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), Intensive Care Unit (ICU), Transitions of Care, Emergency Preparedness, Teams, Healthcare Delivery
Shuman CJ, Costa DK
Stepping in, stepping up, and stepping out: competencies for intensive care unit nursing leaders during disasters, emergencies, and outbreaks.
In this paper, the authors discuss competencies for intensive care unit nursing leaders during disasters, emergencies, and outbreaks. They draw on the recent example of COVID-19s substantially burdened intensive care units and nursing staff. Informed by extant literature, American Organization of Nurse Leaders--identified competencies, and expert opinion, the authors suggest 3 areas of focused skill development to ensure leaders, especially leaders in ICU settings, are prepared for future crises.
AHRQ-funded; HS024552.
Citation: Shuman CJ, Costa DK .
Stepping in, stepping up, and stepping out: competencies for intensive care unit nursing leaders during disasters, emergencies, and outbreaks.
Am J Crit Care 2020 Sep 1;29(5):403-06. doi: 10.4037/ajcc2020421..
Keywords: Critical Care, Provider: Nurse, Nursing, COVID-19, Emergency Preparedness
Auerbach A, O'Leary KJ, Greysen SR
Hospital ward adaptation during the COVID-19 pandemic: a national survey of academic medical centers.
The authors sought to characterize inpatient adaptations to care for non-ICU COVID-19 patients. They found that the COVID-19 pandemic has required medical wards to rapidly adapt with expanding use of respiratory isolation units and use of technology emerging as critical approaches. Reports of unrecognized or delayed diagnoses highlight how such adaptations may produce potential adverse effects on care.
AHRQ-funded; HS026383; HS026215; HS027369.
Citation: Auerbach A, O'Leary KJ, Greysen SR .
Hospital ward adaptation during the COVID-19 pandemic: a national survey of academic medical centers.
J Hosp Med 2020 Aug;15(8):483-88. doi: 10.12788/jhm.3476..
Keywords: COVID-19, Emergency Preparedness, Hospitals, Public Health, Healthcare Delivery, Inpatient Care
Abrams EM, Greenhawt M
Risk communication during COVID-19.
This article focuses on ways the healthcare community can best communicate risk of COVID-19 to the public. Poor risk communication results in hoarding behavior which can lead to lack of medications and personal protective equipment. Utilizing social media channels to ensure an ongoing consistent media presence is one potential way to ensure appropriate risk communication. Including all stakeholders in broader public health messaging is also important.
AHRQ-funded; HS024599.
Citation: Abrams EM, Greenhawt M .
Risk communication during COVID-19.
J Allergy Clin Immunol Pract 2020 Jun;8(6):1791-94. doi: 10.1016/j.jaip.2020.04.012..
Keywords: COVID-19, Communication, Risk, Public Health, Emergency Preparedness
Jones KM, Mantey J, Mills JP
COVID-19 preparedness in Michigan nursing homes.
The objectives of this study were to understand preparedness among Michigan nursing homes (NHs) in the midst of an ongoing pandemic and to compare with a 2007 survey on pandemic influenza preparedness in Michigan NHs. Findings showed that, in 2020, NHs were able to make policy and procedure changes within 1 week in response to urgent guidance from CMS and the CDC, which likely helped the facilities prepare for the COVID-19 pandemic. Most NHs had a dedicated staff member responsible for preparedness and were willing to accept patients from hospitals to assist in their surge capacity planning, particularly for non-COVID patients. NHs did express concerns about staffing shortages and PPE supply constraints as cases rose.
AHRQ-funded; HS025451.
Citation: Jones KM, Mantey J, Mills JP .
COVID-19 preparedness in Michigan nursing homes.
J Am Geriatr Soc 2020 May;68(5):937-39. doi: 10.1111/jgs.16490..
Keywords: COVID-19, Elderly, Nursing Homes, Long-Term Care, Emergency Preparedness, Public Health
Shaker MS, Oppenheimer J, Grayson M
COVID-19: pandemic contingency planning for the allergy and immunology clinic.
In the event of a global infectious pandemic, drastic measures may be needed that limit or require adjustment of ambulatory allergy services. However, no rationale for how to prioritize service shut down and patient care exists. A consensus-based ad-hoc expert panel of allergy/immunology specialists from the United States and Canada developed a service and patient prioritization schematic to temporarily triage allergy/immunology services. This paper describes the process, recommendations and feedback.
AHRQ-funded; HS024599.
Citation: Shaker MS, Oppenheimer J, Grayson M .
COVID-19: pandemic contingency planning for the allergy and immunology clinic.
J Allergy Clin Immunol Pract 2020 May;8(5):1477-88.e5. doi: 10.1016/j.jaip.2020.03.012..
Keywords: COVID-19, Respiratory Conditions, Emergency Preparedness, Public Health, Healthcare Delivery, Ambulatory Care and Surgery, Infectious Diseases
Steuart R, Huang FS, Schaffzin JK
Finding the value in personal protective equipment for hospitalized patients during a pandemic and beyond.
Innovative protocols have been conceptualized and used to conserve PPE in hospitals. Conservation protocols often fail to identify missed opportunities to improve the value of personal protective equipment (PPE) that already exist in hospital care. By defining the value of inpatient PPE, hospitals can identify opportunities for value improvement. Changes implemented now will maximize PPE value and preserve supply during this pandemic and beyond. In this article, the authors discuss the value in PPE for hospitalized patients during a pandemic and beyond.
AHRQ-funded; HS025138.
Citation: Steuart R, Huang FS, Schaffzin JK .
Finding the value in personal protective equipment for hospitalized patients during a pandemic and beyond.
J Hosp Med 2020 May;15(5):295-98. doi: 10.12788/jhm.3429..
Keywords: COVID-19, Emergency Preparedness, Public Health, Hospitals, Patient Safety
Myers SR, DeSimone JD, Lorch SA
US hospital type and proximity to mass shooting events.
This study used data on mass shootings to examine the proximity of adult trauma centers, pediatric trauma centers (TCs), and non–trauma center hospitals to such events. The investigators concluded that based on the data, to ensure the success of trauma care everywhere, all hospitals regardless of TC status should expect and prepare for the eventuality of a mass-casualty event involving both adults and children. All hospitals must be ready to serve as the combat forward-field hospital.
AHRQ-funded; HS023806.
Citation: Myers SR, DeSimone JD, Lorch SA .
US hospital type and proximity to mass shooting events.
JAMA Surg 2020 May;155(5):446-7. doi: 10.1001/jamasurg.2020.0095..
Keywords: Hospitals, Trauma, Emergency Department, Emergency Preparedness
Feldman AG, Hsu EK, Mack CL
The importance of prioritizing pre and posttransplant immunizations in an era of vaccine refusal and epidemic outbreaks.
This paper discusses the prevalence of vaccine-preventable outbreaks occurring both nationally and internationally. Rates of vaccine hesitancy and refusal have been increasing which leads to decreased herd immunity. This poses greater risk to immunosuppressed transplant recipients, and currently 1 in 6 pediatric solid organ transplant recipients are hospitalized with a vaccine-preventable infection in the first 5 years posttransplant. This often results in significant morbidity, mortality, and increased hospitalization costs. Surprisingly, many transplant recipients are not up-to-date on age appropriate immunizations at the time of transplant and thereafter. The authors feel that immunizations must be prioritized in both pre and posttransplant care. They call for more research to understand how to monitor immune response to vaccines in immunosuppressed patients and when to optimally immunize patients posttransplant. They also recommend reexamination of the administration of live vaccines posttransplant.
AHRQ-funded; HS026510.
Citation: Feldman AG, Hsu EK, Mack CL .
The importance of prioritizing pre and posttransplant immunizations in an era of vaccine refusal and epidemic outbreaks.
Transplantation 2020 Jan;104(1):33-38. doi: 10.1097/tp.0000000000002936..
Keywords: Vaccination, Medication, Emergency Preparedness, Public Health, Transplantation