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
Topics
- Access to Care (1)
- Adverse Drug Events (ADE) (1)
- Adverse Events (2)
- Antibiotics (2)
- Cancer (9)
- Cancer: Breast Cancer (6)
- Cancer: Colorectal Cancer (5)
- Cardiovascular Conditions (2)
- Case Study (2)
- Catheter-Associated Urinary Tract Infection (CAUTI) (2)
- Chronic Conditions (1)
- Clinical Decision Support (CDS) (1)
- Clinician-Patient Communication (1)
- Colonoscopy (1)
- Communication (1)
- COVID-19 (1)
- Dementia (3)
- Diagnostic Safety and Quality (1)
- Education: Patient and Caregiver (2)
- (-) Elderly (40)
- Electronic Health Records (EHRs) (1)
- Emergency Department (2)
- Evidence-Based Practice (6)
- Falls (7)
- Guidelines (3)
- Healthcare-Associated Infections (HAIs) (3)
- Healthcare Utilization (2)
- Health Information Technology (HIT) (3)
- Health Literacy (1)
- Heart Disease and Health (4)
- Imaging (2)
- Infectious Diseases (3)
- Influenza (1)
- Injuries and Wounds (1)
- Long-Term Care (6)
- Low-Income (1)
- Medical Devices (2)
- Medicare (1)
- Medication (5)
- Medication: Safety (1)
- Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) (1)
- Mortality (2)
- Neurological Disorders (2)
- Nursing Homes (9)
- Outcomes (2)
- Patient-Centered Healthcare (2)
- Patient-Centered Outcomes Research (6)
- Patient Experience (1)
- Patient Safety (4)
- Pressure Ulcers (1)
- (-) Prevention (40)
- Primary Care (1)
- Primary Care: Models of Care (1)
- Public Health (2)
- Racial and Ethnic Minorities (3)
- Risk (2)
- Screening (18)
- Shared Decision Making (5)
- Training (1)
- U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) (5)
- Uninsured (1)
- Urinary Tract Infection (UTI) (2)
- Vaccination (1)
- Vitamins and Supplements (1)
- Vulnerable Populations (1)
- Women (6)
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 25 of 40 Research Studies DisplayedCrnich CJ
Reimagining infection control in U.S. nursing homes in the era of COVID-19.
This paper provides an overview of nursing home (NH) infection and control, reviews the 2016 CMS changes to federal regulations, and proposes recommendations to sustain improvements. COVID-19 put further pressure on nursing homes who were already strained by rising numbers of infections from C. difficile and multidrug-resistant organisms. The author puts out a call for reimagining infection prevention and control using the Systems Engineering Initiative for Patient Safety framework. Additional recommendations are made to enhance NH infection prevention and control programs in the areas of people, tasks, tools, organization, built environment, and external environment.
AHRQ-funded; HS022465.
Citation: Crnich CJ .
Reimagining infection control in U.S. nursing homes in the era of COVID-19.
J Am Med Dir Assoc 2022 Dec;23(12):1909-15. doi: 10.1016/j.jamda.2022.10.022..
Keywords: Elderly, COVID-19, Public Health, Infectious Diseases, Nursing Homes, Healthcare-Associated Infections (HAIs), Prevention
Ross RL, Rubio K, Rodriguez HP
Mammography and decision aid use for breast cancer screening in older women.
This study examines the association between practice-level decision-aid use and mammography use among older women. Physician practice responses to the 2017/2018 National Survey of Healthcare Organizations and Systems were linked to 2016-17 Medicare fee-for-service beneficiary data from eligible beneficiaries aged 65-74 years. Findings showed that health information technology-enabled automation of mammography reminders and other advanced health information technology functions may support mammography, whereas breast cancer decision aids may reduce patients' propensities to be screened through the alignment of their preferences and screening decision.
AHRQ-funded; HS022241; HS024075.
Citation: Ross RL, Rubio K, Rodriguez HP .
Mammography and decision aid use for breast cancer screening in older women.
Am J Prev Med 2022 Oct;63(4):630-35. doi: 10.1016/j.amepre.2022.04.014..
Keywords: Imaging, Screening, Shared Decision Making, Cancer: Breast Cancer, Women, Prevention, Cancer, Elderly
Leland NE, Lekovitch C, Martínez J
Optimizing post-acute care patient safety: a scoping review of multifactorial fall prevention interventions for older adults.
The purpose of this scoping review was to describe the evidence for multifactorial post-acute care (PAC) fall prevention interventions for older patients. The researchers included 33 studies and characterized common intervention domains including: evaluating patient-specific fall risk factors, developing an individualized risk profile and treatment plan that targets each patient's fall risk factors, and implementing facility-based strategies such as staff education. There was not consensus across studies in how the domains were addressed and to what extent. The researchers concluded that health system efforts to prevent accidental falls in PAC should consider a patient-centered multifactorial approach.
AHRQ-funded; HS022907.
Citation: Leland NE, Lekovitch C, Martínez J .
Optimizing post-acute care patient safety: a scoping review of multifactorial fall prevention interventions for older adults.
J Appl Gerontol 2022 Oct;41(10):2187-96. doi: 10.1177/07334648221104375..
Keywords: Elderly, Falls, Prevention, Patient Safety, Evidence-Based Practice
Rice H, Garabedian PM, Shear K
Clinical decision support for fall prevention: defining end-user needs.
The purpose of this study was to identify patient and primary care staff needs for development of a tool that will generate clinical decision support (CDS) to prevent falls and injuries in older adults. Community-dwelling patients aged 60 and over and primary care clinic staff were eligible to participate in the study; all were affiliated with the University of Florida Health Archer Family Health Care primary care clinic and the Brigham & Women's Hospital-affiliated primary care clinics. Through qualitative interviews with patients (n=18) and primary care clinic staff (n=24) user needs were identified and then categorized into the following themes: evidence-based safe exercises; expert guidance; individualized resources; in-person assessment of patient condition; motivational tools; patient understanding of fall risk; personal support networks; systematic communication and workload burden. The study concluded that personalized, actionable, and evidence-based clinical decision support may be able to address some of the many gaps that exist in fall prevention management in older adults.
AHRQ-funded; HS027557.
Citation: Rice H, Garabedian PM, Shear K .
Clinical decision support for fall prevention: defining end-user needs.
Appl Clin Inform 2022 May;13(3):647-55. doi: 10.1055/s-0042-1750360..
Keywords: Elderly, Falls, Prevention, Clinical Decision Support (CDS), Shared Decision Making, Health Information Technology (HIT)
Feltner C, Wallace IF, Kistler CE
Screening for hearing loss in older adults: updated evidence report and systematic review for the US Preventive Services Task Force.
The purpose of this study was to update the evidence review on screening for hearing loss in adults 50 years or older to inform the US Preventive Services Task Force. Findings showed that several screening tests can adequately detect hearing loss in older adults, while no studies reported on the harms of screening or treatment. Further, evidence showing benefit from hearing aids on hearing-related function among adults with screen-detected or newly detected hearing loss is limited to studies enrolling veterans.
AHRQ-funded; 290201500011I.
Citation: Feltner C, Wallace IF, Kistler CE .
Screening for hearing loss in older adults: updated evidence report and systematic review for the US Preventive Services Task Force.
JAMA 2021 Mar 23;325(12):1202-15. doi: 10.1001/jama.2020.24855..
Keywords: U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF), Elderly, Screening, Guidelines, Evidence-Based Practice, Prevention
Serina P, Lo AX, Kocherginsky M
The clinical frailty scale and health services use for older adults in the emergency department.
The 2013 consensus geriatric emergency department (GED) guidelines, endorsed by the American Geriatrics Society and other professional societies, recommend “routine screening for all older adult patients at higher risk for adverse outcomes.” However, current screening tools are not predictive of health services use. In this study, the investigators evaluated whether CFS may be a useful ED screening tool by examining its association with health services use for older adults.
AHRQ-funded; HS026489.
Citation: Serina P, Lo AX, Kocherginsky M .
The clinical frailty scale and health services use for older adults in the emergency department.
J Am Geriatr Soc 2021 Mar;69(3):837-39. doi: 10.1111/jgs.16937..
Keywords: Elderly, Emergency Department, Screening, Prevention
Kim JJ, Johnson JK, Stucke EM
Burden of perianal Staphylococcus aureus colonization in nursing home residents increases transmission to healthcare worker gowns and gloves.
Transmission of Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) to health care workers (HCWs) on gowns and gloves has been an issue in nursing homes. This study evaluated the effect of the burden in 13 community-based nursing homes in Maryland and Michigan. Residents were cultured for S. aureus at the perianal skin and the anterior nares areas. A total of 403 residents were enrolled, with 169 colonized with methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) or methicillin-sensitive S. aureus (MSSA). Transmission to HCW gowns and gloves was greater from those colonized with greater quantities of S. aureus on the perianal skin. These findings inform future infection control practices for both MRSA and MSSA in nursing homes.
AHRQ-funded; HS019979; HS025451.
Citation: Kim JJ, Johnson JK, Stucke EM .
Burden of perianal Staphylococcus aureus colonization in nursing home residents increases transmission to healthcare worker gowns and gloves.
Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol 2020 Dec;41(12):1396-401. doi: 10.1017/ice.2020.336..
Keywords: Elderly, Nursing Homes, Long-Term Care, Healthcare-Associated Infections (HAIs), Infectious Diseases, Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), Prevention
Earl TR, Katapodis ND, Schneiderman SR
Using deprescribing practices and the screening tool of older persons' potentially inappropriate prescriptions criteria to reduce harm and preventable adverse drug events in older adults.
This paper is a systematic review of the literature published between 2008 to 2018 that studies the effect of interventions to reduce preventable adverse drug effects (ADEs) for adults who are prescribed multiple medications. Two safety practices were examined: 1) deprescribing interventions to reduce polypharmacy; and 2) use of the Screening Tool of Older Persons’ Potentially Inappropriate Prescriptions (STOPP) to reduce potentially inappropriate medications (PIMS). A total of 26 studies and 1 systematic review were included (14 for deprescribing and 12 for STOPP). Deprescribing interventions included decision support tools, educational interventions, and medication reviews. The STOPP tool most reported changes in PIMS, as well as some economic outcomes. Both methods were found to be effective.
AHRQ-funded; HHSP233201500013I.
Citation: Earl TR, Katapodis ND, Schneiderman SR .
Using deprescribing practices and the screening tool of older persons' potentially inappropriate prescriptions criteria to reduce harm and preventable adverse drug events in older adults.
J Patient Saf 2020 Sep;16(3S Suppl 1):S23-s35. doi: 10.1097/pts.0000000000000747..
Keywords: Elderly, Medication: Safety, Medication, Adverse Drug Events (ADE), Adverse Events, Patient Safety, Screening, Prevention
Lurie JD, Zagaria AB, Ellis L
Surface perturbation training to prevent falls in older adults: a highly pragmatic, randomized controlled trial.
This study’s objective was to determine if adding a component of surface-perturbation training to usual gait/balance training was more effective than gait/balance training alone for reducing falls and fall-related injuries in high-risk older adults referred to physical therapy. This multi-center trial took place at 8 outpatient physical therapy clinics. The cohort included 506 patients aged 65 and older at high fall risk. The group was randomized between treatment with and without surface-perturbation treadmill training. The results were that the training did not significantly reduce risk of any fall but did significantly reduce chance of a fall-related injury after the first 3 months.
AHRQ-funded; HS018459.
Citation: Lurie JD, Zagaria AB, Ellis L .
Surface perturbation training to prevent falls in older adults: a highly pragmatic, randomized controlled trial.
Phys Ther 2020 Jul 19;100(7):1153-62. doi: 10.1093/ptj/pzaa023..
Keywords: Elderly, Falls, Prevention, Training
H H, Caton Gilstrap L
AHRQ Author: Tracer H
Screening for cognitive impairment in older adults.
This evidence-based approach paper focuses on putting prevention into action. It discusses screening for cognitive impairment in older adults. It provides case study, case study questions and a discussion.
AHRQ-authored.
Citation: H H, Caton Gilstrap L .
Screening for cognitive impairment in older adults.
Am Fam Physician 2020 Jun 15;101(12):753-54..
Keywords: U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF), Dementia, Neurological Disorders, Elderly, Screening, Prevention, Case Study, Evidence-Based Practice, Guidelines
Zullo AR, Ofori-Asenso R, Wood M
Effects of statins for secondary prevention on functioning and other outcomes among nursing home residents.
Studies examining the effects of statins after acute myocardial infarction (AMI) excluded frail older adults, especially nursing home (NH) residents, and few examined functional outcomes. Older NH residents may benefit less from statins and be particularly susceptible to adverse drug events like myopathy-related functional decline. In this retrospective cohort study, the investigators evaluated the effects of statins on 1-year functional decline, rehospitalization, and death in NH residents.
AHRQ-funded; HS022998.
Citation: Zullo AR, Ofori-Asenso R, Wood M .
Effects of statins for secondary prevention on functioning and other outcomes among nursing home residents.
J Am Med Dir Assoc 2020 Apr;21(4):500-07.e8. doi: 10.1016/j.jamda.2020.01.102..
Keywords: Elderly, Nursing Homes, Long-Term Care, Medication, Prevention, Outcomes, Evidence-Based Practice, Patient-Centered Outcomes Research
Garcia-Albeniz X, Hernan MA, Logan RW
Continuation of annual screening mammography and breast cancer mortality in women older than 70 years.
This study examined whether discontinuing annual mammography screening in women older than 70 years results in an increased 8-year breast cancer mortality. The researchers used data from the Medicare program and looked at over 1 million beneficiaries aged 70 to 84 who had no previous breast cancer diagnosis, and who underwent screening mammography from 2000 to 20008. The 8-year risk difference for women aged 70 to 74 years was -1.0 death per 1000 women and for women aged 75 to 84 years it was 0.07. Neither of these show substantial reductions in 8-year breast cancer mortality compared with stopping screening.
AHRQ-funded; HS023128.
Citation: Garcia-Albeniz X, Hernan MA, Logan RW .
Continuation of annual screening mammography and breast cancer mortality in women older than 70 years.
Ann Intern Med 2020 Mar 17;172(6):381-89. doi: 10.7326/m18-1199..
Keywords: Cancer: Breast Cancer, Cancer, Screening, Prevention, Women, Elderly, Mortality
Adams C, Young D, Gastanaduy PA
Quantifying the roles of vomiting, diarrhea, and residents vs. staff in norovirus transmission in U.S. nursing home outbreaks.
Norovirus transmissibility is poorly understood and the goal of this study was to examine transmission via vomiting, diarrhea, and patient exposures. Six nursing home outbreaks in South Carolina were examined from 2014 to 2016. Vomiting infected 2.12 times the number of individuals as non-vomiters, diarrhea 1.39 times, and resident cases infected 1.53 times the number of individuals as staff cases. This finding is important for not just nursing homes, but other sites of norovirus outbreaks such as cruise ships.
AHRQ-funded; HS025987.
Citation: Adams C, Young D, Gastanaduy PA .
Quantifying the roles of vomiting, diarrhea, and residents vs. staff in norovirus transmission in U.S. nursing home outbreaks.
PLoS Comput Biol 2020 Mar;16(3):e1007271. doi: 10.1371/journal.pcbi.1007271..
Keywords: Elderly, Nursing Homes, Long-Term Care, Infectious Diseases, Healthcare-Associated Infections (HAIs), Prevention, Public Health
Patnode CD, Perdue LA, Rossom RC
Screening for cognitive impairment in older adults: updated evidence report and systematic review for the US Preventive Services Task Force.
The purpose of this study was to systematically review the test accuracy of cognitive screening instruments and benefits and harms of interventions to treat cognitive impairment in older adults (>/=65 years) to inform the US Preventive Services Task Force. The investigators concluded that screening instruments could adequately detect cognitive impairment. They indicated that there was no empirical evidence, however, that screening for cognitive impairment improved patient or caregiver outcomes or causes harm.
AHRQ-funded; 290201500007I.
Citation: Patnode CD, Perdue LA, Rossom RC .
Screening for cognitive impairment in older adults: updated evidence report and systematic review for the US Preventive Services Task Force.
JAMA 2020 Feb 25;323(8):764-85. doi: 10.1001/jama.2019.22258..
Keywords: U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF), Dementia, Neurological Disorders, Elderly, Guidelines, Screening, Prevention, Evidence-Based Practice
Davis SN, Wischhusen JW, Sutton SK
Demographic and psychosocial factors associated with limited health literacy in a community-based sample of older Black Americans.
This study examined the frequency of limited health literacy and demographic and psychosocial factors associated with limited health literacy in a sample of older black Americans. The participants enrolled in a community-based intervention to promote colorectal cancer screening and completed baseline surveys that assessed their health literacy using the Rapid Estimate of Adult Literacy in Medicine, Revised (REALM-R) test, CRC awareness, cancer fatalism, Preventive Health Model (PHM) constructs, and demographics. Findings showed that limited health literacy was associated with multiple complex factors. Recommendations include interventions to incorporate patient health literacy and low-literacy materials that can be delivered through multiple channels.
AHRQ-funded; HS026120.
Citation: Davis SN, Wischhusen JW, Sutton SK .
Demographic and psychosocial factors associated with limited health literacy in a community-based sample of older Black Americans.
Patient Educ Couns 2020 Feb;103(2):385-91. doi: 10.1016/j.pec.2019.08.026..
Keywords: Health Literacy, Racial and Ethnic Minorities, Elderly, Screening, Cancer: Colorectal Cancer, Cancer, Prevention
Hajduk AM, Gurwitz JH, Tabada G
Influence of multimorbidity on burden and appropriateness of implantable cardioverter-defibrillator therapies.
Researchers sought to determine whether burden of multiple chronic conditions (MCCs) influences the risk of receiving inappropriate vs appropriate device therapies. They studied adults with left ventricular systolic dysfunction receiving an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) for primary prevention. In these patients, they found that MCC burden was independently associated with an increased risk of inappropriate but not appropriate device therapies. They recommended considering comorbidity burden when engaging patients in shared decision making about ICD implantation.
AHRQ-funded; 290050033.
Citation: Hajduk AM, Gurwitz JH, Tabada G .
Influence of multimorbidity on burden and appropriateness of implantable cardioverter-defibrillator therapies.
J Am Geriatr Soc 2019 Jul;67(7):1370-78. doi: 10.1111/jgs.15839..
Keywords: Cardiovascular Conditions, Heart Disease and Health, Chronic Conditions, Medical Devices, Prevention, Elderly, Risk, Patient-Centered Outcomes Research
Bravo RI, Kietzman KG, Toy P
Linking primary care and community organizations to increase colorectal cancer screening rates: the HAPPI project.
This paper describes the Healthy Aging Partnerships in Prevention Initiative (HAPPI) which aims to increase colorectal cancer screening and other preventive services among underserved Latinos and African-Americans in South Los Angeles who are 50 years and older. It uses an evidence-based model (SPARC) to leverage existing resources and has multi-sectoral partnerships among different agencies, community health centers (CHCs), and a university. The authors engaged five CHCs in quality improvement activities and eight non-governmental organizations in networking and programming to increase awareness of these preventive services.
AHRQ-funded; HS010858.
Citation: Bravo RI, Kietzman KG, Toy P .
Linking primary care and community organizations to increase colorectal cancer screening rates: the HAPPI project.
Salud Publica Mex 2019 Jul-Aug;61(4):427-35. doi: 10.21149/9450..
Keywords: Cancer: Colorectal Cancer, Cancer, Screening, Prevention, Primary Care: Models of Care, Primary Care, Elderly, Racial and Ethnic Minorities, Vulnerable Populations, Patient-Centered Healthcare
Davidson C, Loganathan S, Bishop L
AHRQ Author: Bergofsky L, Spector W
Scalability of an IT intervention to prevent pressure ulcers in nursing homes.
Researchers assessed the scalability of the On-Time Pressure Ulcer Prevention intervention strategy in nursing homes nationwide. They found that the overall decline in pressure ulcer rates for treatment relative to matched comparison homes was statistically insignificant.
AHRQ-authored; AHRQ-funded; 2332010500023I.
Citation: Davidson C, Loganathan S, Bishop L .
Scalability of an IT intervention to prevent pressure ulcers in nursing homes.
J Am Med Dir Assoc 2019 Jul;20(7):816-21.e2. doi: 10.1016/j.jamda.2019.02.008..
Keywords: Elderly, Health Information Technology (HIT), Nursing Homes, Patient-Centered Outcomes Research, Prevention, Pressure Ulcers
Hoover DS, Pappadis MR, Housten AJ
Preferences for communicating about breast cancer screening among racially/ethnically diverse older women.
The purpose of this study was to examine preferences for communicating about screening mammography among racially/ethnically diverse older women. Through in-depth interviews, findings revealed that older women desire information about the benefits and harms of screening mammography and would prefer to learn this information through discussions with healthcare providers and multiple other formats. Results were consistent regardless of participants' age, race/ethnicity, or education.
AHRQ-funded; HS022134.
Citation: Hoover DS, Pappadis MR, Housten AJ .
Preferences for communicating about breast cancer screening among racially/ethnically diverse older women.
Health Commun 2019 Jun;34(7):702-06. doi: 10.1080/10410236.2018.1431026..
Keywords: Cancer, Cancer: Breast Cancer, Clinician-Patient Communication, Communication, Elderly, Women, Prevention, Racial and Ethnic Minorities, Screening
Zullo AR, Mogul A, Corsi K
Association between secondary prevention medication use and outcomes in frail older adults after acute myocardial infarction.
In order to examine the effect of using more guideline-recommended medications after myocardial infarction on mortality, rehospitalization, and functional decline in the frailest and oldest segment of long-stay nursing home residents, researchers conducted a retrospective cohort study of U.S. nursing home residents aged 65 years or older. Exposure was the number of secondary prevention medications initiated after myocardial infarction; outcomes were 90-day death, rehospitalization, or functional decline. The results of the study indicate that the use of more guideline-recommended medications after myocardial infarction was associated with decreased mortality in older, predominantly frail adults, but there was no difference in rehospitalization. Functional decline outcomes were discordant and the researchers note that this does not rule out an increased risk associated with more medication use.
AHRQ-funded; HS022998.
Citation: Zullo AR, Mogul A, Corsi K .
Association between secondary prevention medication use and outcomes in frail older adults after acute myocardial infarction.
Circ Cardiovasc Qual Outcomes 2019 Apr;12(4):e004942. doi: 10.1161/circoutcomes.118.004942..
Keywords: Cardiovascular Conditions, Elderly, Heart Disease and Health, Medication, Nursing Homes, Outcomes, Patient-Centered Outcomes Research, Prevention
Rivera-Hernandez M, Rahman M, Galarraga O
Preventive healthcare-seeking behavior among poor older adults in Mexico: the impact of Seguro Popular, 2000-2012.
This study examined the effect of the Seguro Popular (SP) program in Mexico on preventive care utilization among low-income and uninsured elder beneficiaries. Results of three rounds of the Mexican National Health and Nutrition Survey from 2000, 2006, and 2012 was used. The findings show there was no significant effect on the use of preventive services, including screening for diabetes, hypertension, breast cancer and cervical cancer for adults aged 50 to 75 years.
AHRQ-funded; HS000011.
Citation: Rivera-Hernandez M, Rahman M, Galarraga O .
Preventive healthcare-seeking behavior among poor older adults in Mexico: the impact of Seguro Popular, 2000-2012.
Salud Publica Mex 2019 Jan-Feb;61(1):46-53. doi: 10.21149/9185..
Keywords: Elderly, Low-Income, Prevention, Healthcare Utilization, Access to Care, Uninsured
Chung S, Romanelli RJ, Stults CD
Preventive visit among older adults with Medicare's introduction of annual wellness visit: closing gaps in underutilization.
The study of Medicare beneficiaries aged 65 to 85 from a mixed-payer multispecialty outpatient healthcare organization in northern California between 2007 and 2016, evaluated changes in preventive visit utilization with Medicare's introduction of Annual Wellness Visits (AWVs) in 2011. It further assessed how coverage expansion differentially affected older adults who were previously underutilizing the service.
AHRQ-funded; HS019815.
Citation: Chung S, Romanelli RJ, Stults CD .
Preventive visit among older adults with Medicare's introduction of annual wellness visit: closing gaps in underutilization.
Prev Med 2018 Oct;115:110-18. doi: 10.1016/j.ypmed.2018.08.018..
Keywords: Elderly, Healthcare Utilization, Medicare, Prevention
Fan T, Erickson EA
AHRQ Author: Fan T
Interventions to prevent falls and fractures in community-dwelling older adults.
This case study addresses the U.S. Preventive Health Service Task Force recommendations and offers a scenario, questions, and answers related to interventions to prevent falls and fractures in community-dwelling older adults.
AHRQ-authored.
Citation: Fan T, Erickson EA .
Interventions to prevent falls and fractures in community-dwelling older adults.
Am Fam Physician 2018 Aug 15;98(4):253-55..
Keywords: Case Study, Elderly, Falls, Injuries and Wounds, Prevention, U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF)
Lewis CL, Kistler CE, Dalton AF
A decision aid to promote appropriate colorectal cancer screening among older adults: a randomized controlled trial.
The purpose of this study was to test a patient decision aid (PtDA) to promote CRC screening in older adults. The PtDA was designed to facilitate individual decision-making to help patients understand the potential risks and benefit of CRC screening. 424 patients aged 70 – 84 who were not up to date with CRC screening participated in a double-blinded randomized controlled trial, using the PtDA or an attention control. Two outcomes - appropriate CRC screening behavior at 6 months following the initial visit or appropriate screening intent immediately after the visit - were defined as completed screening or intent for patients in good health, discussion about screening with their provider for patients in intermediate health, or no screening or intent for patients in poor health. Appropriate screening behavior at 6 months was higher in the intervention group; appropriate screening intent following the provider visit was also higher. The authors conclude that the PtDA for older adults promoted appropriate CRC screening behavior.
AHRQ-funded; HS021133.
Citation: Lewis CL, Kistler CE, Dalton AF .
A decision aid to promote appropriate colorectal cancer screening among older adults: a randomized controlled trial.
Med Decis Making 2018 Jul;38(5):614-24. doi: 10.1177/0272989x18773713..
Keywords: Cancer, Cancer: Colorectal Cancer, Shared Decision Making, Education: Patient and Caregiver, Elderly, Prevention, Screening
Elliott S, Leland NE
Occupational therapy fall prevention interventions for community-dwelling older adults: a systematic review.
The authors of this paper updated and broadened a 2008 systematic review examining the evidence for the effectiveness of fall prevention interventions in improving fall-related outcomes, occupational performance, quality of life, and health care facility readmissions for community-dwelling older adults. They assert that these findings can inform the delivery and integration of fall prevention interventions from acute care to community discharge.
AHRQ-funded; HS022907.
Citation: Elliott S, Leland NE .
Occupational therapy fall prevention interventions for community-dwelling older adults: a systematic review.
Am J Occup Ther 2018 Jul/Aug;72(4):7204190040p1-40p11. doi: 10.5014/ajot.2018.030494..
Keywords: Elderly, Falls, Patient-Centered Outcomes Research, Prevention