National Healthcare Quality and Disparities Report
Latest available findings on quality of and access to health care
Data
- Data Infographics
- Data Visualizations
- Data Tools
- Data Innovations
- All-Payer Claims Database
- Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project (HCUP)
- Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS)
- AHRQ Quality Indicator Tools for Data Analytics
- State Snapshots
- United States Health Information Knowledgebase (USHIK)
- Data Sources Available from AHRQ
Search All Research Studies
AHRQ Research Studies Date
AHRQ Research Studies
Sign up: AHRQ Research Studies Email updates
Research Studies is a compilation of published research articles funded by AHRQ or authored by AHRQ researchers.
Results
1 to 6 of 6 Research Studies DisplayedUsher MC, Tignanelli CJ, Hilliard B
Responding to COVID-19 through interhospital resource coordination: a mixed-methods evaluation
Researchers sought to describe a novel hospital system approach to managing the COVID-19 pandemic, including multihospital coordination capability and transfer of COVID-19 patients to a single, dedicated hospital. They found that, with standardized communication, interhospital transfers were a safe and effective method of cohorting COVID-19 patients, were well-received by health care providers, and had the potential to improve care quality.
AHRQ-funded; HS026379; HS026732.
Citation: Usher MC, Tignanelli CJ, Hilliard B .
Responding to COVID-19 through interhospital resource coordination: a mixed-methods evaluation
J Patient Saf 2022 Jun 1;18(4):287-94. doi: 10.1097/pts.0000000000000916..
Keywords: COVID-19, Hospitals, Healthcare Delivery, Public Health, Care Coordination, Transitions of Care
Kranz AM, Steiner ED, Mitchell JM
School-based health services in Virginia and the COVID-19 pandemic.
The purpose of this study was to examine how the COVID-19 pandemic may have impacted the provision of school health services and related student needs. In May 2021, all 1178 Virginia public elementary schools received a web-based survey regarding the impact of the pandemic on school-based health services, with 65% of schools responding (N=767). Schools reported providing fewer school-based health services during the pandemic than before, with dental screenings declining the most (51% before vs 15% after). The study also reported that mental health as a top concern for students increased from 15% before the pandemic to 27% during the pandemic. The study concluded that schools reported providing fewer health services to students during pandemic in the 2020-2021 school year and increased concern about students' mental health.
AHRQ-funded; HS025430.
Citation: Kranz AM, Steiner ED, Mitchell JM .
School-based health services in Virginia and the COVID-19 pandemic.
J Sch Health 2022 May;92(5):436-44. doi: 10.1111/josh.13147..
Keywords: COVID-19, Children/Adolescents, Public Health, Healthcare Delivery, Community-Based Practice
Vranas KC, Golden SE, Mathews KS
The influence of the COVID-19 pandemic on ICU organization, care processes, and frontline clinician experiences: a qualitative study.
The COVID-19 pandemic resulted in unprecedented adjustments to intensive care unit (ICU) organization and care processes globally. The investigators examined if hospital emergency responses to the COVID-19 pandemic differed depending on hospital setting and explored which strategies worked well to mitigate strain as perceived by intensivists. The investigators concluded that their study demonstrated the importance of trust and transparency between frontline staff and hospital leadership as key components of effective emergency responses during public health crises.
AHRQ-funded; HS028038.
Citation: Vranas KC, Golden SE, Mathews KS .
The influence of the COVID-19 pandemic on ICU organization, care processes, and frontline clinician experiences: a qualitative study.
Chest 2021 Nov;160(5):1714-28. doi: 10.1016/j.chest.2021.05.041..
Keywords: COVID-19, Intensive Care Unit (ICU), Critical Care, Healthcare Delivery, Workforce, Public Health
Anesi GL, Kerlin MP
The impact of resource limitations on care delivery and outcomes: routine variation, the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic, and persistent shortage.
Researchers discuss the impact of resource limitations on care delivery and outcomes. They conclude that the interaction between resource limitation and care delivery and outcomes is complex and incompletely understood. Further, the COVID-19 pandemic provides a learning opportunity for strain response during both pandemic and non-pandemic times.
AHRQ-funded; HS026372.
Citation: Anesi GL, Kerlin MP .
The impact of resource limitations on care delivery and outcomes: routine variation, the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic, and persistent shortage.
Curr Opin Crit Care 2021 Oct 1;27(5):513-19. doi: 10.1097/mcc.0000000000000859..
Keywords: COVID-19, Public Health, Healthcare Delivery, Intensive Care Unit (ICU), Outcomes
Barbash IJ, Kahn JM
Fostering hospital resilience-lessons from COVID-19.
This article describes how hospitals can foster organizational resistance using lessons from the COVID-19 pandemic. They describe what resilience would look like including: 1) resilient hospitals would respond to a surge in COVID-19 cases in ways that ensure the delivery of high-quality care for patients with the disease; 2) resilient hospitals would response to COVID-19 surges in ways that preserve standards of care for patients without COVID-19; 3) resilient hospitals would preserve access to care for the entire community of patients they serve, including continuing elective surgeries and mitigating effects of health disparities; and 4) resilient hospitals would do all of this while protecting the well-being of frontline staff. Protection of front-line staff includes ensuring adequate personal protective equipment as well as through clear communication from leaders. Factors that foster resilience are described including well-developed, scalable clinical protocols, flexible electronic health records, and a supportive, interdisciplinary working environment in which all team members feel safe to raise concerns and share new ideas. Resilience might also be fostered among hospitals through their interactions.
AHRQ-funded; HS025455.
Citation: Barbash IJ, Kahn JM .
Fostering hospital resilience-lessons from COVID-19.
JAMA 2021 Aug 24; 326(8):693-94. doi: 10.1001/jama.2021.12484..
Keywords: COVID-19, Hospitals, Healthcare Delivery, Public Health
Hofstetter AM, Schaffer S
Childhood and adolescent vaccination in alternative settings.
This article reviews the unique advantages, challenges, and experiences regarding vaccine delivery in alternative settings, such as schools, emergency rooms, hospitals, and pharmacies. It describes the key components that each setting must possess as well as other important factors to consider when assessing the ability of each to deliver vaccines to the children and adolescents they serve. It is important to emphasize that these settings should not replace the medical home as the primary location for vaccination, but rather serve as a critical safety net for high-risk individuals and communities and in situations where access to traditional locations may be limited, such as during the COVID-19 pandemic.
AHRQ-funded; HS025470.
Citation: Hofstetter AM, Schaffer S .
Childhood and adolescent vaccination in alternative settings.
Acad Pediatr 2021 May-Jun;21(4s):S50-s56. doi: 10.1016/j.acap.2021.02.001..
Keywords: Children/Adolescents, Vaccination, Healthcare Delivery, Public Health