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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 18 of 18 Research Studies DisplayedDuncan MS, Robbins NN, Wernke SA
Geographic variation in access to cardiac rehabilitation.
Considerable regional disparities exist in the commencement of cardiac rehabilitation (CR), with only 10% to 40% of eligible patients at the state level participating. The potential factors contributing to these discrepancies, such as accessibility to CR facilities, remain insufficiently explored. The purpose of this study was to assess the impact of CR center availability on CR initiation among Medicare beneficiaries. The researchers utilized Medicare records to pinpoint CR-eligible Medicare beneficiaries and compute CR initiation rates at the hospital referral region (HRR) level. Linear regression was applied to evaluate the percentage variance in CR initiation explained by CR accessibility across HRRs. Geospatial hotspot analysis was performed to detect CR deserts, or counties where the patient-to-CR center ratio is notably high. The study found that between 2014 and 2017, 1,133,657 Medicare beneficiaries were eligible for CR, with 263,310 (23%) initiating CR. The West North Central Census Division exhibited the highest adjusted CR initiation rate (35.4%) and the greatest concentration of CR programs (6.58 per 1,000 CR-eligible Medicare beneficiaries). CR program density accounted for 21.2% of the regional variation in CR initiation at the HRR level. A total of 40 predominantly urban counties, encompassing 14% of the U.S. population aged ≥65 years, were identified as CR deserts due to limited CR access.
AHRQ-funded; HS022990
Citation: Duncan MS, Robbins NN, Wernke SA .
Geographic variation in access to cardiac rehabilitation.
J Am Coll Cardiol 2023 Mar 21;81(11):1049-60. doi: 10.1016/j.jacc.2023.01.016.
Keywords: Rehabilitation, Access to Care, Cardiovascular Conditions
Thompson MP, Yaser JM, Forrest A
Evaluating the feasibility of a statewide collaboration to improve cardiac rehabilitation participation: the Michigan Cardiac Rehab Network.
The purpose of this study as to assess the feasibility of the Michigan Cardiac Rehab Network to improve Cardiac Rehabilitation (CR) participation. The researchers utilized Multipayer claims data from the Michigan Value Collaborative to identify 95 hospitals and 84 CR facilities and convene a multidisciplinary group of advisors. Three CR facilities were selected for virtual site visits to identify areas of success and barriers to improvement. The study found that 51% of hospitals provided interventional cardiology services and 35% provided cardiac surgical services. The multidisciplinary group of advisors was convened and represented a broad range of roles within 13 institutions. CR enrollment statewide among eligible admissions was 33.4%, with broad differences in CR performance measures among participating hospitals and eligible admissions. Virtual site visits highlighted successes in increasing CR participation but an array of barriers to participation associated with referrals, capacity and staffing constraints, and geographic and financial barriers.
AHRQ-funded; HS027830.
Citation: Thompson MP, Yaser JM, Forrest A .
Evaluating the feasibility of a statewide collaboration to improve cardiac rehabilitation participation: the Michigan Cardiac Rehab Network.
J Cardiopulm Rehabil Prev 2022 Nov 1;42(6):e75-e81. doi: 10.1097/hcr.0000000000000706..
Keywords: Cardiovascular Conditions, Rehabilitation, Quality Improvement, Quality of Care
Bush M, Kucharska-Newton A, Simpson RJ
Effect of initiating cardiac rehabilitation after myocardial infarction on subsequent hospitalization in older adults.
Outpatient cardiac rehabilitation (CR) participation after myocardial infarction (MI) reduces all-cause mortality; however, less is known about effects of CR on post-MI hospitalization. The objective of this study was to investigate effects of CR on hospitalization following acute MI among older adults. The investigators concluded that this study provided evidence that CR could reduce the 1-yr risk of cardiovascular and all-cause hospital admissions in Medicare aged MI survivors.
AHRQ-funded; HS000032.
Citation: Bush M, Kucharska-Newton A, Simpson RJ .
Effect of initiating cardiac rehabilitation after myocardial infarction on subsequent hospitalization in older adults.
J Cardiopulm Rehabil Prev 2020 Mar;40(2):87-93. doi: 10.1097/hcr.0000000000000452..
Keywords: Elderly, Rehabilitation, Heart Disease and Health, Cardiovascular Conditions, Hospitalization
Dean JM, Hreha K, Hong I
Post-acute care use patterns among hospital service areas by older adults in the United States: a cross-sectional study.
This study examined post-stroke acute care patterns across Hospital Service Areas among a national stroke cohort of Medicare beneficiaries to determine drivers of variation in post-acute care service utilization. Data was extracted from 2013 to 2014 (174,498 total records across 3232 Hospital Service Areas). Patients’ residence ZIP codes were linked to the facility ZIP code where care was received. Patients were considered a “traveler” if they did not live in the Hospital Service Area where they received care. Only 23.5% of all patients received care in skilled nursing-only Hospital Service Areas although 73.4% of all Hospital Service Areas were skilled nursing-only. Thirty-five percent of all patients traveled to a different Hospital Service Area from their residence. Patients living in skilled nursing-only Hospital Service Areas had more than 5 times the odds of traveling compared to those living in Hospital Service Areas with skilled nursing, inpatient rehabilitation, and long-term care hospital services.
AHRQ-funded; HS026133; HS024711.
Citation: Dean JM, Hreha K, Hong I .
Post-acute care use patterns among hospital service areas by older adults in the United States: a cross-sectional study.
BMC Health Serv Res 2021 Feb 25;21(1):176. doi: 10.1186/s12913-021-06159-z..
Keywords: Elderly, Hospitals, Access to Care, Stroke, Cardiovascular Conditions, Healthcare Utilization, Rehabilitation, Nursing Homes
Thompson MP, Yaser JM, Hou H
Determinants of hospital variation in cardiac rehabilitation enrollment during coronary artery disease episodes of care.
Cardiac rehabilitation (CR) is associated with improved outcomes for patients with coronary artery disease (CAD). However, CR enrollment remains low and there is a dearth of real-world data on hospital-level variation in CR enrollment. In this study, the investigators sought to explore determinants of hospital variability in CR enrollment during CAD episodes of care: medical management of acute myocardial infarction (AMI-MM), percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), and coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG).
AHRQ-funded; HS026003.
Citation: Thompson MP, Yaser JM, Hou H .
Determinants of hospital variation in cardiac rehabilitation enrollment during coronary artery disease episodes of care.
Circ Cardiovasc Qual Outcomes 2021 Feb;14(2):e007144. doi: 10.1161/circoutcomes.120.007144..
Keywords: Heart Disease and Health, Cardiovascular Conditions, Rehabilitation, Outcomes, Patient-Centered Outcomes Research, Hospitals
Capo-Lugo CE, Askew RL, Muldoon K
Longer time before acute rehabilitation therapy worsens disability after intracerebral hemorrhage.
This study examines the association of time to initiation of acute rehabilitation therapy to increases in disability after intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH), and identifies predictors of time to initiation of rehabilitation therapy. Retrospective data analysis was conducted using ICH patients from a large comprehensive stroke center in a metropolitan area. Disability was assessed using a modified Rankin Scale (mRS) with poor outcome defined as mRS 4-6. There was a median time of 3 days from hospital admission and the first consult by any rehabilitation therapy specialist. Each additional day between admission and initiation of acute rehabilitation therapy was associated with odds of poor outcome at 30 days and at 90 days. Predictors of later initiation of acute rehabilitation therapy included heavy drinking (>5 drinks per day), premorbid mRS<4, presence of pulmonary embolism and longer length of stay in the intensive care unit.
AHRQ-funded; HS024366; HS023437; HS000078.
Citation: Capo-Lugo CE, Askew RL, Muldoon K .
Longer time before acute rehabilitation therapy worsens disability after intracerebral hemorrhage.
Arch Phys Med Rehabil 2020 May;101(5):870-76. doi: 10.1016/j.apmr.2019.11.006..
Keywords: Rehabilitation, Disabilities, Stroke, Cardiovascular Conditions, Outcomes, Patient-Centered Outcomes Research
Hay CC, Graham JE, Pappadis MR
The impact of one's sex and social living situation on rehabilitation outcomes after a stroke.
The goal of this retrospective observational study was to investigate sex differences and the impact of social living situation on individual functional independence measure outcomes after stroke rehabilitation. Subjects were Medicare fee-for-service beneficiaries discharged from inpatient rehabilitation facilities after a stroke. Results showed that when sociodemographic and clinical factors were controlled, females were more likely to discharge from inpatient rehabilitation at a supervision level or better for most functional independence measure items. Individuals who lived alone before their stroke had higher odds of discharging at a supervision level or better.
AHRQ-funded; HS022134.
Citation: Hay CC, Graham JE, Pappadis MR .
The impact of one's sex and social living situation on rehabilitation outcomes after a stroke.
Am J Phys Med Rehabil 2020 Jan;99(1):48-55. doi: 10.1097/phm.0000000000001276..
Keywords: Stroke, Rehabilitation, Elderly, Patient-Centered Outcomes Research, Sex Factors, Cardiovascular Conditions, Outcomes
Hong I, Goodwin JS, Reistetter TA, I, Goodwin JS, Reistetter TA
Comparison of functional status improvements among patients with stroke receiving postacute care in inpatient rehabilitation vs skilled nursing facilities.
This cohort study compared functional status improvements of poststroke patients who either went to an inpatient rehabilitation facility (IRF) or a skilled nursing facility (SNF). The study used data from Medicare claims for stroke from January 2013 through November 2014. A total of 99,185 patients were studied. Patients admitted to SNFs tended to be older, female, and had a longer hospital length of stay than those admitted to IRFs. Stroke patients admitted to IRFs had larger improvements for mobility score points and for self-care on admission compared with those admitted to SNFs. There was found to be no statistical difference in the odds of 30- to 365-day mortality.
AHRQ-funded; HS024711; HS022134.
Citation: Hong I, Goodwin JS, Reistetter TA, I, Goodwin JS, Reistetter TA .
Comparison of functional status improvements among patients with stroke receiving postacute care in inpatient rehabilitation vs skilled nursing facilities.
JAMA Netw Open 2019 Dec 2;2(12):e1916646. doi: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2019.16646..
Keywords: Stroke, Cardiovascular Conditions, Rehabilitation, Health Status, Hospitalization, Nursing Homes
Patel DK, Duncan MS, Shah AS
Association of cardiac rehabilitation with decreased hospitalization and mortality risk after cardiac valve surgery.
Investigators sought to characterize cardiac rehabilitation (CR) enrollment after cardiac valve surgery and its association with outcomes, including hospitalizations and mortality. Subjects were all fee-for-service Medicare beneficiaries undergoing open cardiac valve surgery in 2014, identified by inpatient diagnosis codes for open aortic, mitral, tricuspid, and pulmonary valve surgery. They found that fewer than half of Medicare beneficiaries undergoing cardiac valve surgery enrolled in CR programs, and there were marked racial/ethnic disparities among those who do. They recommend further study on barriers to CR enrollment in this population.
AHRQ-funded; HS022990.
Citation: Patel DK, Duncan MS, Shah AS .
Association of cardiac rehabilitation with decreased hospitalization and mortality risk after cardiac valve surgery.
JAMA Cardiol 2019 Dec;4(12):11887-1301. doi: 10.1001/jamacardio.2019.4032..
Keywords: Cardiovascular Conditions, Heart Disease and Health, Rehabilitation, Hospitalization, Surgery, Mortality, Risk, Elderly
Goyal P, Gorodeski EZ, Marcum ZA
Cardiac rehabilitation to optimize medication regimens in heart failure.
This paper discusses the use of cardiac rehabilitation (CR) to optimize medication regimens for older adults with heart failure. Challenges in CR are discussed length and strategies were offered for leveraged CR.
AHRQ-funded; HS022982.
Citation: Goyal P, Gorodeski EZ, Marcum ZA .
Cardiac rehabilitation to optimize medication regimens in heart failure.
Clin Geriatr Med 2019 Nov;35(4):549-60. doi: 10.1016/j.cger.2019.06.001..
Keywords: Heart Disease and Health, Cardiovascular Conditions, Rehabilitation, Medication, Patient-Centered Healthcare, Patient Adherence/Compliance, Chronic Conditions
Hong I, Karmarker A, Chan W
Discharge patterns for ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke patients going from acute care hospitals to inpatient and skilled nursing rehabilitation.
Investigators explored variation in acute care use of inpatient rehabilitation facilities and skilled nursing facilities rehabilitation after ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke. They found demographic and clinical differences among stroke patients admitted for post-acute rehabilitation at inpatient rehabilitation facilities and skilled nursing facilities settings. Additionally, examination of variation in ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke discharges suggests acute facility-level differences and indicates a need for careful consideration of patient and facility factors when comparing the effectiveness of inpatient rehabilitation facilities and skilled nursing facilities rehabilitation.
AHRQ-funded; HS022134; HS024711.
Citation: Hong I, Karmarker A, Chan W .
Discharge patterns for ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke patients going from acute care hospitals to inpatient and skilled nursing rehabilitation.
Am J Phys Med Rehabil 2018 Sep;97(9):636-45. doi: 10.1097/phm.0000000000000932..
Keywords: Transitions of Care, Hospital Discharge, Stroke, Cardiovascular Conditions, Nursing Homes, Rehabilitation
Beatty AL, Truong M, Schopfer DW
Geographic variation in cardiac rehabilitation participation in Medicare and veterans affairs populations: opportunity for improvement.
The authors sought to evaluate variation in cardiac rehabilitation participation across the United States. They found that, overall, participation in cardiac rehabilitation was 16.3% in Medicare and 10.3% in VA. Patients in the West North Central region had the highest participation, whereas those in the Pacific region had the lowest participation. Significant hospital-level variation was also present.
AHRQ-funded; HS022990.
Citation: Beatty AL, Truong M, Schopfer DW .
Geographic variation in cardiac rehabilitation participation in Medicare and veterans affairs populations: opportunity for improvement.
Circulation 2018 May 1;137(18):1899-908. doi: 10.1161/circulationaha.117.029471.
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Keywords: Cardiovascular Conditions, Medicare, Patient-Centered Healthcare, Rehabilitation
Bachmann JM, Shah AS, Duncan MS
Cardiac rehabilitation and readmissions after heart transplantation.
Cardiac transplant recipients always are referred to cardiac rehabilitation (CR) after transplantation, and is associated with a lower 1-year readmission risk. This study’s objective was to determine rates of CR for heart transplant recipients in the US and also 1-year readmission rates using 2013-2014 Medicare data. Out of the 2,531 heart transplant patients in the US in 2013, about 24% received Medicare coverage and were included in the study. Rates of CR utilization was only, with only 55% participating in the program. Younger transplant patients ages 35 to 49 years were less likely to initiate CR than patients 65 and older. In all groups patients did not attend all 36 prescribed sessions, with a mean of 26.7 sessions attended. The 1-year readmission risk was 29% lower for CR participation patients.
AHRQ-funded; HS022990.
Citation: Bachmann JM, Shah AS, Duncan MS .
Cardiac rehabilitation and readmissions after heart transplantation.
J Heart Lung Transplant 2018 Apr;37(4):467-76. doi: 10.1016/j.healun.2017.0.017.
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Keywords: Transplantation, Surgery, Rehabilitation, Cardiovascular Conditions, Heart Disease and Health, Hospital Readmissions, Patient-Centered Outcomes Research, Outcomes, Evidence-Based Practice
Bachmann JM, Duncan MS, Shah AS
Association of cardiac rehabilitation with decreased hospitalizations and mortality after ventricular assist device implantation.
This study examined whether outcomes of cardiac patients who had received ventricular assist device (VAD) implementation had decreased hospitalization and mortality with cardiac rehabilitation (CR). Medicare beneficiaries enrolled for disability or aged 65 years and older in 2014 were included. The investigators identified VAD recipients by diagnosis codes. It was found that each 5-year increase in age was associated with attending an additional 1.6 CR sessions and there was a 23% lower 1-year hospitalization risk and a 47% lower 1-year mortality risk.
AHRQ-funded; HS022990.
Citation: Bachmann JM, Duncan MS, Shah AS .
Association of cardiac rehabilitation with decreased hospitalizations and mortality after ventricular assist device implantation.
JACC Heart Fail 2018 Feb;6(2):130-39. doi: 10.1016/j.jchf.2017.11.002..
Keywords: Cardiovascular Conditions, Rehabilitation, Heart Disease and Health, Medical Devices, Surgery, Patient-Centered Outcomes Research, Outcomes, Mortality, Evidence-Based Practice, Hospitalization
Bachmann JM, Huang S, Gupta DK
Association of neighborhood socioeconomic context with participation in cardiac rehabilitation.
This study investigated the association of neighborhood socioeconomic context with Cardiac Rehabilitation (CR) participation in the Southern Community Cohort Study- a prospective cohort study of 84 569 adults in the southeastern United States from 2002 to 2009, 52 117 of whom have Medicare or Medicaid claims. The study found that lower neighborhood socioeconomic context was associated with decreased CR participation independent of individual socioeconomic status. These data invite research on interventions to increase CR access in deprived communities.
AHRQ-funded; HS022990.
Citation: Bachmann JM, Huang S, Gupta DK .
Association of neighborhood socioeconomic context with participation in cardiac rehabilitation.
J Am Heart Assoc 2017 Oct 11;6(10). doi: 10.1161/jaha.117.006260..
Keywords: Cardiovascular Conditions, Healthcare Utilization, Patient-Centered Outcomes Research, Rehabilitation, Social Determinants of Health
Bachmann JM, Klint ZW, Jagoda AM
Group enrollment and open gym format decreases cardiac rehabilitation wait times.
Researchers hypothesized that changing from individually scheduled appointments to a group enrollment and open gym format, in which patients were enrolled during group intake sessions and could arrive for subsequent cardiac rehabilitation (CR) sessions any time during open gym periods, would decrease wait times. They found that implementation of a group enrollment and open gym format was associated with a significant decrease in wait times for first CR sessions.
AHRQ-funded; HS022990.
Citation: Bachmann JM, Klint ZW, Jagoda AM .
Group enrollment and open gym format decreases cardiac rehabilitation wait times.
J Cardiopulm Rehabil Prev 2017 Sep;37(5):322-28. doi: 10.1097/hcr.0000000000000255.
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Keywords: Rehabilitation, Cardiovascular Conditions, Healthcare Delivery
Krishnan S, Pappadis MR, Weller SC
Needs of stroke survivors as perceived by their caregivers: a scoping review.
Caregivers usually are not involved while planning the stroke survivor's medical and rehabilitation goals and interventions. This review aimed to identify the needs of stroke survivors as perceived by their caregivers. The data synthesis from 66 studies produced the following three metathemes: (a) body functional needs, (b) activity and participatory needs, and (c) environmental needs.
AHRQ-funded; HS022134; HS024711.
Citation: Krishnan S, Pappadis MR, Weller SC .
Needs of stroke survivors as perceived by their caregivers: a scoping review.
Am J Phys Med Rehabil 2017 Jul;96(7):487-505. doi: 10.1097/phm.0000000000000717.
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Keywords: Stroke, Caregiving, Rehabilitation, Cardiovascular Conditions
Kelly JP, Hammill BG, Doll JA
The potential impact of expanding cardiac rehabilitation in heart failure.
The authors sought to characterize the patient population newly eligible for cardiac rehabilitation (CR) based on the 2014 CMS expanded coverage criteria. Their findings suggested that expansion of coverage for the newly eligible group is an important systems process to undertake to rapidly increase the participating eligible patients and that extension of CR coverage to the ineligible group should be considered.
AHRQ-funded; HS021092.
Citation: Kelly JP, Hammill BG, Doll JA .
The potential impact of expanding cardiac rehabilitation in heart failure.
J Am Coll Cardiol 2016 Aug 30;68(9):977-8. doi: 10.1016/j.jacc.2016.05.081.
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Keywords: Cardiovascular Conditions, Elderly, Healthcare Utilization, Heart Disease and Health, Rehabilitation