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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.
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1 to 4 of 4 Research Studies DisplayedWilliams PH, Gilmartin HM, Leonard C
The influence of the Rural Transitions Nurse Program for veterans on healthcare utilization costs.
This study’s objective was to examine changes from pre- to post-hospitalization in total, inpatient, and outpatient 30-day healthcare utilization costs for Veterans Affairs Healthcare System Rural Transitions Nurse Program (TNP) enrollees compared to controls. Although findings showed no difference in change in total costs between veterans enrolled in TNP and controls, TNP was associated with a smaller increase in direct inpatient medical costs and a larger increase in direct outpatient medical costs, suggesting a shifting of costs from the inpatient to outpatient setting.
AHRQ-funded; HS024569.
Citation: Williams PH, Gilmartin HM, Leonard C .
The influence of the Rural Transitions Nurse Program for veterans on healthcare utilization costs.
J Gen Intern Med 2022 Nov;37(14):3529-34. doi: 10.1007/s11606-022-07401-y..
Keywords: Rural Health, Nursing, Transitions of Care, Healthcare Utilization, Healthcare Costs
Hass Z, Woodhouse M, Arling G
Using a semi-Markov Model to estimate Medicaid cost savings due to Minnesota's Return to Community Initiative.
This simulation estimated the level of uncertainty for Medicaid cost savings due to Minnesota’s Return to Community Initiative (RTCI). This statewide program assists private paying nursing home residents with discharge to the community. Prior analysis estimated that approximately 1 in 9 residents targeted for transition by the program would not have returned to the community without the RTCI. Data from 30,234 private pay nursing home residents admitted during 2011 to 378 facilities and followed for 4 years postadmission for outcomes and time to event was used. The simulation was run 1000 times with and without the RTCI impact to estimate change in Medicaid nursing home days. Program savings was estimated at $4.1 million per year over a 4-year accumulation period. This is a modest Medicaid cost savings more than the annual program budget of $3.5 million.
AHRQ-funded; HS020224.
Citation: Hass Z, Woodhouse M, Arling G .
Using a semi-Markov Model to estimate Medicaid cost savings due to Minnesota's Return to Community Initiative.
J Am Med Dir Assoc 2021 Mar;22(3):642-47.e1. doi: 10.1016/j.jamda.2020.07.016..
Keywords: Medicaid, Nursing Homes, Healthcare Costs, Transitions of Care
Philip JL, Yang DY, Wang X
Effect of transfer status on outcomes of emergency general surgery patients.
This study looked at outcomes of transferred (TRAN) versus directly admitted (DA) emergency general surgery (EGS) patients. Patients with a diagnosis of EGS were identified from the 2008-2011 Nationwide Inpatient Sample (NIS). Outcomes included were in-hospital mortality and morbidity. They identified 274,145 TRAN and 10,456,100 DA encounters. Morbidity and mortality were both higher in TRAN patients than DA. TRAN patients were more likely to have greater comorbidity scores, have Medicare insurance, and reside in an area with a lesser median household income compared to DA patients. Morbidity among TRAN patients were primarily due urinary-, gastrointestinal-, and pulmonary-related complications. Median stay and median cost at the hospital were greater for TRAN patients.
AHRQ-funded; HS025224; HS022694.
Citation: Philip JL, Yang DY, Wang X .
Effect of transfer status on outcomes of emergency general surgery patients.
Surgery 2020 Aug;168(2):280-86. doi: 10.1016/j.surg.2020.01.005..
Keywords: Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project (HCUP), Surgery, Transitions of Care, Mortality, Outcomes, Healthcare Costs, Hospitals
Bindman AB, Cox DF
AHRQ Author: Bindman AB
Changes in health care costs and mortality associated with transitional care management services after a discharge among Medicare beneficiaries.
Medicare adopted transitional care management (TCM) payment codes in 2013 to encourage clinicians to furnish TCM services after beneficiaries were discharged to the community from medical facilities. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether the receipt of TCM services was associated with the subsequent health care costs and mortality of the beneficiaries in the month after the service was provided. The study concluded that despite the apparent benefits of TCM services for Medicare beneficiaries, the use of this service remains low.
AHRQ-authored.
Citation: Bindman AB, Cox DF .
Changes in health care costs and mortality associated with transitional care management services after a discharge among Medicare beneficiaries.
JAMA Intern Med 2018 Sep;178(9):1165-71. doi: 10.1001/jamainternmed.2018.2572..
Keywords: Healthcare Costs, Hospital Discharge, Medicare, Mortality, Transitions of Care