National Healthcare Quality and Disparities Report
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Search All Research Studies
Topics
- Adverse Events (1)
- Ambulatory Care and Surgery (1)
- Antibiotics (2)
- Antimicrobial Stewardship (2)
- Cardiovascular Conditions (3)
- Catheter-Associated Urinary Tract Infection (CAUTI) (2)
- Central Line-Associated Bloodstream Infections (CLABSI) (2)
- Children/Adolescents (1)
- Clinical Decision Support (CDS) (1)
- Clostridium difficile Infections (1)
- Community-Acquired Infections (1)
- Decision Making (2)
- Elderly (1)
- (-) Healthcare-Associated Infections (HAIs) (15)
- (-) Healthcare Costs (15)
- Healthcare Delivery (1)
- Health Insurance (1)
- Heart Disease and Health (3)
- Hospitals (4)
- Infectious Diseases (3)
- Injuries and Wounds (1)
- Intensive Care Unit (ICU) (1)
- Long-Term Care (1)
- Medical Devices (2)
- Medicare (5)
- Medication (1)
- Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) (1)
- Outcomes (1)
- Patient Safety (4)
- Payment (3)
- Pneumonia (2)
- Policy (1)
- Prevention (1)
- Quality Improvement (2)
- Quality of Care (2)
- Surgery (5)
- Urinary Tract Infection (UTI) (3)
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 15 of 15 Research Studies DisplayedLikosky DS, Yang G, Zhang M
Interhospital variability in health care-associated infections and payments after durable ventricular assist device implant among Medicare beneficiaries.
The purpose of this study was to examine differences in durable ventricular assist device implantation infection rates and associated costs across hospitals. The researchers utilized clinical data for 8,688 patients who received primary durable ventricular assist devices from the Society of Thoracic Surgeons Interagency Registry for Mechanically Assisted Circulatory Support (Intermacs) hospitals (n = 120) and merged that data with post-implantation 90-day Medicare claims. The primary outcome included infections within 90 days of implantation and Medicare payments. The study found that 27.8% of patients developed 3982 identified infections. The median adjusted incidence of infections (per 100 patient-months) across hospitals was 14.3 and differed according to hospital. Total Medicare payments from implantation to 90 days were 9.0% more in high versus low infection tercile hospitals. The researchers concluded that health-care-associated infection rates post durable ventricular assist device implantation varied according to hospital and were associated with increased 90-day Medicare expenditures.
AHRQ-funded; HS026003.
Citation: Likosky DS, Yang G, Zhang M .
Interhospital variability in health care-associated infections and payments after durable ventricular assist device implant among Medicare beneficiaries.
J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg 2022 Nov;164(5):1561-68. doi: 10.1016/j.jtcvs.2021.04.074..
Keywords: Healthcare-Associated Infections (HAIs), Medical Devices, Medicare, Heart Disease and Health, Cardiovascular Conditions, Hospitals, Payment, Healthcare Costs
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
McCleskey SG, Shek L, Grein J
Economic evaluation of quality improvement interventions to prevent catheter-associated urinary tract infections in the hospital setting: a systematic review.
This systematic review looked at economic evaluations of quality improvement (QI) interventions to reduce rates of catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTIs). A literature review was conducted for conference abstracts and studies from January 2000 to October 2020. Dual reviewers assessed study design, effectiveness, costs and study quality for eligibility. The reviewers performed a cost-consequence analysis from the hospital perspective, estimating the incidence rate ratio and increment net cost/savings per hospital over 3 years for each eligible study. Fifteen unique economic evaluations were eligible, and 12 studies were amenable to standardization. QI interventions were associated with a 43% decline in infections and wide ranges of net costs relative to usual care.
AHRQ-funded; HS022644.
Citation: McCleskey SG, Shek L, Grein J .
Economic evaluation of quality improvement interventions to prevent catheter-associated urinary tract infections in the hospital setting: a systematic review.
BMJ Qual Saf 2022 Apr;31(4):308-21. doi: 10.1136/bmjqs-2021-013839..
Keywords: Quality Improvement, Quality of Care, Urinary Tract Infection (UTI), Healthcare-Associated Infections (HAIs), Hospitals, Healthcare Costs
O'Hara NN, Mullins CD, Slobogean GP
Association of postoperative infections after fractures with long-term income among adults.
This retrospective cohort study evaluated the association between postoperative infection in patients with surgically treated fractures and long-term income loss. Out of 11,673 adults who underwent surgery to treat fractures of the extremities or pelvis from 2003-2016, a total of 3.5% had a postoperative infection. These infections were associated with a $6080 annual decrease in household income in the 6 years after injury. There was a 6.6% increase in the risk of catastrophic wage loss within 2 years of the fracture and a 45% increase in the odds of receiving Social Security benefits. However, postoperative infections were not associated with an increase in the value of the Social Security benefits received.
AHRQ-funded; HS027218.
Citation: O'Hara NN, Mullins CD, Slobogean GP .
Association of postoperative infections after fractures with long-term income among adults.
JAMA Netw Open 2021 Apr;4(4):e216673. doi: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2021.6673..
Keywords: Surgery, Injuries and Wounds, Healthcare-Associated Infections (HAIs), Adverse Events, Healthcare Costs
Nelson RE, Lautenbach E, Chang N
Attributable cost of healthcare-associated methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus infection in a long-term care center.
The purpose of this study was to estimate the attributable cost of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) healthcare-associated infections in long-term care centers (LTCCs) within the Department of Veterans Affairs. Findings showed a significant increase in the odds of being transferred to an acute care facility and in acute care costs. These findings of high cost and increased risk of transfer from LTCC to acute care are important because they highlight the substantial clinical and economic impact of MRSA infections in this population.
AHRQ-funded; HS023794.
Citation: Nelson RE, Lautenbach E, Chang N .
Attributable cost of healthcare-associated methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus infection in a long-term care center.
Clin Infect Dis 2021 Jan 29;72(Suppl 1):S27-s33. doi: 10.1093/cid/ciaa1582..
Keywords: Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), Healthcare-Associated Infections (HAIs), Infectious Diseases, Healthcare Costs, Long-Term Care
Rinke ML, Oyeku SO, Ford WJH
Costs of ambulatory pediatric healthcare-associated infections: Central-line-associated bloodstream infection (CLABSIs), catheter-associated urinary tract infection (CAUTIs), and surgical site infections (SSIs).
Ambulatory healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) occur frequently in children and are associated with morbidity. Less is known about ambulatory HAI costs. This retrospective case control study estimated additional costs associated with pediatric ambulatory central-line-associated bloodstream infections (CLABSIs), catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTI), and surgical site infections (SSIs) following ambulatory surgery. The authors concluded that ambulatory HAI in pediatric patients were associated with significant additional costs.
AHRQ-funded; HS024432.
Citation: Rinke ML, Oyeku SO, Ford WJH .
Costs of ambulatory pediatric healthcare-associated infections: Central-line-associated bloodstream infection (CLABSIs), catheter-associated urinary tract infection (CAUTIs), and surgical site infections (SSIs).
Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol 2020 Nov;41(11):1292-97. doi: 10.1017/ice.2020.305..
Keywords: Children/Adolescents, Healthcare-Associated Infections (HAIs), Central Line-Associated Bloodstream Infections (CLABSI), Catheter-Associated Urinary Tract Infection (CAUTI), Urinary Tract Infection (UTI), Ambulatory Care and Surgery, Healthcare Costs, Surgery
Sankaran R, Gulseren B, Nuliyalu U R, Gulseren B, Nuliyalu U
A comparison of estimated cost savings from potential reductions in hospital-acquired conditions to levied penalties under the CMS Hospital-Acquired Condition Reduction Program.
The Hospital-Acquired Condition Reduction Program (HACRP) from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) reduces Medicare payments to hospitals with high rates of hospital-acquired conditions (HACs) by 1% each year. It is not known how the savings accruing to CMS from such penalties compare to savings resulting from a reduction in HACs driven by this program. This study compared the reported savings to CMS from financial penalties levied under the HACRP with savings resulting from potential reductions in HACs.
AHRQ-funded; HS000053; HS026244.
Citation: Sankaran R, Gulseren B, Nuliyalu U R, Gulseren B, Nuliyalu U .
A comparison of estimated cost savings from potential reductions in hospital-acquired conditions to levied penalties under the CMS Hospital-Acquired Condition Reduction Program.
Jt Comm J Qual Patient Saf 2020 Aug;46(8):438-47. doi: 10.1016/j.jcjq.2020.05.002.
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Keywords: Healthcare Costs, Healthcare-Associated Infections (HAIs), Hospitals, Patient Safety, Medicare
Asti L, Bartsch SM, Umscheid CA
The potential economic value of sputum culture use in patients with community-acquired pneumonia and healthcare-associated pneumonia.
Researchers developed a decision model to determine the economic and clinical value of using sputum cultures in the treatment of community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) and healthcare-associated pneumonia (HCAP) from the hospital perspective under various conditions. They found that, overall, obtaining sputum cultures does not provide significant clinical or economic benefits for CAP or HCAP patients; however, it can reduce costs and shorten overall length of stay under some circumstances. They recommended that clinicians consider their local conditions when making decisions about sputum culture use.
AHRQ-funded; HS023317.
Citation: Asti L, Bartsch SM, Umscheid CA .
The potential economic value of sputum culture use in patients with community-acquired pneumonia and healthcare-associated pneumonia.
Clin Microbiol Infect 2019 Aug;25(8):1038.e1-38.e9. doi: 10.1016/j.cmi.2018.11.031..
Keywords: Pneumonia, Community-Acquired Infections, Healthcare-Associated Infections (HAIs), Infectious Diseases, Healthcare Costs, Clinical Decision Support (CDS), Decision Making
Kline SE, Sanstead EC, Johnson JR
Cost-effectiveness of pre-operative Staphylococcus aureus screening and decolonization.
In this study, the investigators developed a decision analytic model to evaluate the impact of a preoperative Staphylococcus aureus decolonization bundle on surgical site infections (SSIs), health-care-associated costs (HCACs), and deaths due to SSI. The investigators predict that the treat-all strategy would be the most effective and cost-saving strategy for preventing SSIs. However, they concluded that because this strategy might select more extensively for mupirocin-resistant S. aureus and cause more medication adverse effects than the test-and-treat approach or the SOC, additional studies are needed to define its comparative benefits and harms.
AHRQ-funded; HS022912.
Citation: Kline SE, Sanstead EC, Johnson JR .
Cost-effectiveness of pre-operative Staphylococcus aureus screening and decolonization.
Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol 2018 Nov;39(11):1340-46. doi: 10.1017/ice.2018.228..
Keywords: Surgery, Antibiotics, Antimicrobial Stewardship, Healthcare-Associated Infections (HAIs), Infectious Diseases, Patient Safety, Prevention, Healthcare Costs
D'Agata EMC, Tran D, Bautista J
Clinical and economic benefits of antimicrobial stewardship programs in hemodialysis facilities: a decision analytic model.
In this study, the authors developed a decision analytic model of antimicrobial use on the clinical and economic consequences of implementing a nationwide antimicrobial stewardship program in outpatient dialysis facilities. The authors found that the model suggested that implementation of antimicrobial stewardship programs in outpatient dialysis facilities would result in substantial reductions in infections caused by multidrug-resistant organisms and C. difficile, infection-related deaths, and costs.
AHRQ-funded; R18 HS021666.
Citation: D'Agata EMC, Tran D, Bautista J .
Clinical and economic benefits of antimicrobial stewardship programs in hemodialysis facilities: a decision analytic model.
Clin J Am Soc Nephrol 2018 Sep 7;13(9):1389-97. doi: 10.2215/cjn.12521117..
Keywords: Antimicrobial Stewardship, Decision Making, Antibiotics, Medication, Healthcare Costs, Clostridium difficile Infections, Healthcare-Associated Infections (HAIs)
Thompson MP, Cabrera L, Strobel RJ
Association between postoperative pneumonia and 90-day episode payments and outcomes among Medicare beneficiaries undergoing cardiac surgery.
Postoperative pneumonia is the most common healthcare-associated infection in cardiac surgical patients, yet their impact across a 90-day episode of care remains unknown. The objective of this study was to examine the relationship between pneumonia and 90-day episode payments and outcomes among Medicare beneficiaries undergoing cardiac surgery. The investigators concluded that postoperative pneumonia was associated with significantly higher 90-day episode payments and inferior outcomes at the patient and hospital level.
AHRQ-funded; HS022535.
Citation: Thompson MP, Cabrera L, Strobel RJ .
Association between postoperative pneumonia and 90-day episode payments and outcomes among Medicare beneficiaries undergoing cardiac surgery.
Circ Cardiovasc Qual Outcomes 2018 Sep;11(9):e004818. doi: 10.1161/circoutcomes.118.004818..
Keywords: Elderly, Surgery, Medicare, Cardiovascular Conditions, Heart Disease and Health, Pneumonia, Payment, Healthcare Costs, Outcomes, Healthcare-Associated Infections (HAIs), Health Insurance
Nuckols TK, Keeler E, Morton SC
Economic evaluation of quality improvement interventions for bloodstream infections related to central catheters: a systematic review.
The authors systematically reviewed economic evaluations of QI interventions designed to prevent central-line-associated bloodstream infections (CLABSI) and catheter-related bloodstream infections (CRBSI) in acute care hospitals. They concluded that interventions related to central venous catheters were, on average, associated with 57% fewer bloodstream infections and substantial savings to hospitals. Larger initial investments may be associated with greater savings.
AHRQ-funded.
Citation: Nuckols TK, Keeler E, Morton SC .
Economic evaluation of quality improvement interventions for bloodstream infections related to central catheters: a systematic review.
JAMA Intern Med 2016 Dec;176(12):1843-54. doi: 10.1001/jamainternmed.2016.6610.
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Keywords: Central Line-Associated Bloodstream Infections (CLABSI), Healthcare-Associated Infections (HAIs), Healthcare Costs, Quality Improvement
Kawai AT, Calderwood MS, Jin R
Impact of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid services hospital-acquired conditions policy on billing rates for 2 targeted healthcare-associated infections.
The 2008 Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) hospital-acquired conditions policy limited additional payment for conditions deemed reasonably preventable. This study examined whether this policy was associated with decreases in billing rates for 2 targeted conditions, vascular catheter-associated infections (VCAI) and catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTI). The CMS policy appears to have been associated with immediate reductions in billing rates for VCAI and CAUTI, followed by a slight decreasing trend or leveling-off in rates.
AHRQ-funded; HS018414.
Citation: Kawai AT, Calderwood MS, Jin R .
Impact of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid services hospital-acquired conditions policy on billing rates for 2 targeted healthcare-associated infections.
Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol 2015 Aug;36(8):871-7. doi: 10.1017/ice.2015.86.
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Keywords: Healthcare-Associated Infections (HAIs), Policy, Medicare, Payment, Hospitals, Catheter-Associated Urinary Tract Infection (CAUTI), Urinary Tract Infection (UTI), Healthcare Costs
Huang SS, Septimus E, TR TR
Cost savings of universal decolonization to prevent intensive care unit infection: implications of the REDUCE MRSA trial.
The researchers estimated the incremental effect on healthcare costs associated with targeted decolonization and universal decolonization compared with screening and isolation, which is considered the current standard of care. They found that a strategy of universal decolonization for patients admitted to the ICU would both reduce bloodstream infections and like reduce healthcare costs when compared to other strategies.
AHRQ-funded; 290201000008I; 29032007T.
Citation: Huang SS, Septimus E, TR TR .
Cost savings of universal decolonization to prevent intensive care unit infection: implications of the REDUCE MRSA trial.
Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol. 2014 Oct;35 Suppl 3:S23-31. doi: 10.1086/677819..
Keywords: Healthcare Costs, Quality of Care, Healthcare-Associated Infections (HAIs), Intensive Care Unit (ICU), Patient Safety
Schweizer ML, Cullen JJ, Perencevich EN
Costs associated with surgical site infections in Veterans Affairs hospitals.
This study evaluated surgical site infections(SSIs) in 1,756 Veterans Administration patients to determine the excess costs associated with total, deep, and superficial SSIs. It found that the highest risk-adjusted costs occurred with deep SSIs and SSIs associated with neurosurgery patients.
AHRQ-funded; HS021992
Citation: Schweizer ML, Cullen JJ, Perencevich EN .
Costs associated with surgical site infections in Veterans Affairs hospitals.
JAMA Surg. 2014 Jun;149(6):575-581. doi:10.1001/jamasurg.2013.4663..
Keywords: Surgery, Healthcare-Associated Infections (HAIs), Patient Safety, Healthcare Costs