National Healthcare Quality and Disparities Report
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Research Studies is a compilation of published research articles funded by AHRQ or authored by AHRQ researchers.
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1 to 4 of 4 Research Studies DisplayedBerkman ND, Chang E, Seibert J
Characteristics of high-need, high-cost patients : a "best-fit" framework synthesis.
This paper’s objective was to identify characteristics and criteria to distinguish high-need, high-cost (HNHC) patients. Searches of multiple databases and gray literature from 2000 to January 2022 were conducted. The final review included 64 studies comprising multivariate exposure studies (n = 47), cluster analyses (n = 11), and qualitative studies (n = 6). National Academy of Medicine (NAM) taxonomy was used for organizing the synthesis of findings. Patient characteristics associated with being defined as HNHC included number and severity of comorbid conditions and having chronic clinical conditions, particularly heart disease, chronic kidney disease, chronic lung disease, diabetes, cancer, and hypertension. HNHC risk was often amplified by behavioral health conditions and social risk factors. The authors revised the NAM taxonomy to create a final framework, adding chronic pain and prior patterns of high health care use as characteristics associated with an increased risk for being HNHC.
AHRQ-funded; 290201500011I
Citation: Berkman ND, Chang E, Seibert J .
Characteristics of high-need, high-cost patients : a "best-fit" framework synthesis.
Ann Intern Med 2022 Dec;175(12):1728-41. doi: 10.7326/m21-4562..
Keywords: Chronic Conditions, Healthcare Costs, Healthcare Delivery
Kim KD, Funk RJ, Hou H
Association between care fragmentation and total spending after durable left ventricular device implant: a mediation analysis of health care-associated infections within a national Medicare-Society of Thoracic Surgeons INTERMACS linked dataset.
The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between care fragmentation and total spending for durable left ventricular assisted device (LVAD) implant, and whether this relationship is mediated by infections. The researchers developed a measure of care fragmentation based on the number of shared medical professionals providing care to 4,987 Medicare beneficiaries undergoing LVAD implantation. The study found that the indirect effect of care fragmentation, through infections, was positive and statistically significant. The researchers concluded that higher care fragmentation associated with durable LVAD implantation is related with a greater incidence of infections and higher Medicare beneficiary payments.
AHRQ-funded; HS026003.
Citation: Kim KD, Funk RJ, Hou H .
Association between care fragmentation and total spending after durable left ventricular device implant: a mediation analysis of health care-associated infections within a national Medicare-Society of Thoracic Surgeons INTERMACS linked dataset.
Circ Cardiovasc Qual Outcomes 2022 Sep;15(9):e008592. doi: 10.1161/circoutcomes.121.008592..
Keywords: Heart Disease and Health, Cardiovascular Conditions, Healthcare Costs, Healthcare-Associated Infections (HAIs), Medicare, Medical Devices, Healthcare Delivery
Zimmerman S, Carder P, Schwartz L
The imperative to reimagine assisted living.
Assisted living (AL) has existed in the United States for decades, evolving in response to older adults' need for supportive care and distaste for nursing homes and older models of congregate care. AL is state-regulated, provides at least 2 meals a day, around-the-clock supervision, and help with personal care, but is not licensed as a nursing home. This article presents the background regarding those tensions, as well as potential solutions that have been borne out, paving the path to a better future of assisted living.
AHRQ-funded; HS026893.
Citation: Zimmerman S, Carder P, Schwartz L .
The imperative to reimagine assisted living.
J Am Med Dir Assoc 2022 Feb;23(2):225-34. doi: 10.1016/j.jamda.2021.12.004..
Keywords: Elderly, Long-Term Care, Healthcare Delivery, Workforce, Quality of Care, Quality of Life, Healthcare Costs
Desai SM, Shambhu S, Mehrotra A
Online advertising increased New Hampshire residents' use of provider price tool but not use of lower-price providers.
This study looked at the results of an online advertising campaign to increase consumers’ awareness about insurer-specific negotiated price information available on New Hampshire’s public price transparency website. The campaign led to a more than 600% increase in visits to the website, but it did not translate to increased use of lower-price providers. The authors concluded that the findings imply that the limited success is driven by structural factors that limit consumers’ ability to use health care price information as opposed to only a lack of awareness about price transparency tools.
AHRQ-funded; HS026980.
Citation: Desai SM, Shambhu S, Mehrotra A .
Online advertising increased New Hampshire residents' use of provider price tool but not use of lower-price providers.
Health Aff 2021 Mar;40(3):521-28. doi: 10.1377/hlthaff.2020.01039..
Keywords: Healthcare Costs, Healthcare Delivery