National Healthcare Quality and Disparities Report
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Search All Research Studies
AHRQ Research Studies Date
Topics
- Adverse Events (3)
- Antimicrobial Stewardship (1)
- Catheter-Associated Urinary Tract Infection (CAUTI) (4)
- Central Line-Associated Bloodstream Infections (CLABSI) (4)
- Children/Adolescents (2)
- Communication (1)
- COVID-19 (1)
- (-) Critical Care (15)
- Disparities (1)
- Evidence-Based Practice (2)
- (-) Healthcare-Associated Infections (HAIs) (15)
- Hospitals (2)
- Infectious Diseases (3)
- Injuries and Wounds (1)
- Inpatient Care (2)
- Intensive Care Unit (ICU) (8)
- Medicare (1)
- Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) (3)
- Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) (1)
- Newborns/Infants (1)
- Nursing (1)
- Organizational Change (1)
- Patient-Centered Outcomes Research (1)
- Patient Safety (8)
- Pneumonia (1)
- Prevention (5)
- Quality Improvement (1)
- Quality of Care (1)
- Racial and Ethnic Minorities (1)
- Risk (1)
- Urinary Tract Infection (UTI) (4)
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 DisplayedSick-Samuels AC, Koontz DW, Xie A
A survey of PICU clinician practices and perceptions regarding respiratory cultures in the evaluation of ventilator-associated infections in the BrighT STAR Collaborative.
A survey of medical professionals from 16 different academic pediatric hospitals was conducted from May 2021-January 2022. The goal of the survey was to examine respiratory culture practices, drivers, and barriers in mechanically ventilated patients. The study concluded that respiratory culture practices were inconsistent.
AHRQ-funded; HS028634.
Citation: Sick-Samuels AC, Koontz DW, Xie A .
A survey of PICU clinician practices and perceptions regarding respiratory cultures in the evaluation of ventilator-associated infections in the BrighT STAR Collaborative.
Pediatr Crit Care Med 2024 Jan; 25(1):e20-e30. doi: 10.1097/pcc.0000000000003379..
Keywords: Children/Adolescents, Intensive Care Unit (ICU), Critical Care, Healthcare-Associated Infections (HAIs)
Govindan S, O'Malley ME, Flanders SA
The MI-PICC Score: a risk-Prediction Model for PICC-associated Complications in the ICU.
The authors examined predictive factors for adverse events in critically ill patients with peripherally inserted central catheters (PICCs). They found that PICC-related complications in the ICU were significantly associated with history of deep vein thrombosis, active diagnosis of cancer, presence of a second central venous catheter, blood transfusion through the PICC, and PICC dwell time.
AHRQ-funded; HS025891.
Citation: Govindan S, O'Malley ME, Flanders SA .
The MI-PICC Score: a risk-Prediction Model for PICC-associated Complications in the ICU.
Am J Respir Crit Care Med 2022 Nov 15;206(10):1286-89. doi: 10.1164/rccm.202204-0760LE..
Keywords: Catheter-Associated Urinary Tract Infection (CAUTI), Healthcare-Associated Infections (HAIs), Critical Care, Intensive Care Unit (ICU), Risk, Adverse Events
Krauss DM, Molefe A, Hung L
AHRQ Author: Henderson S, Miller M
Emergent themes from a quality improvement programme for CLABSI/CAUTI prevention in ICUs amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
In this study, researchers summarized themes for maintaining infection prevention activities learned from the implementation of a quality improvement (QI) program during the COVID-19 pandemic. They concluded that future shocks such as the pandemic must be anticipated, and the healthcare system must be resilient to the resulting disruptions to healthcare-associated infection prevention activities. Their study encountered four themes for successful maintenance of infection prevention activities during the current pandemic: the value of a pre-existing infection prevention infrastructure; a flexibility in approach; broad buy-in for maintaining QI programs; and the facilitation of idea-sharing.
AHRQ-authored; AHRQ-funded; 233201500016I.
Citation: Krauss DM, Molefe A, Hung L .
Emergent themes from a quality improvement programme for CLABSI/CAUTI prevention in ICUs amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
BMJ Open Qual 2022 Nov;11(4):e001926. doi: 10.1136/bmjoq-2022-001926..
Keywords: COVID-19, Central Line-Associated Bloodstream Infections (CLABSI), Catheter-Associated Urinary Tract Infection (CAUTI), Healthcare-Associated Infections (HAIs), Quality Improvement, Quality of Care, Critical Care, Intensive Care Unit (ICU), Prevention, Urinary Tract Infection (UTI), Infectious Diseases
Schuetz CR, Hogan PG, Reich PJ
Factors associated with progression to infection in methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus-colonized, critically ill neonates.
The purpose of this case-control study was to identify factors associated with development of symptomatic infection in infants colonized with methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). The investigators concluded that progression from MRSA colonization to symptomatic infection was associated with increased morbidity and may be mitigated through decolonization.
AHRQ-funded; HS021736; HS024269.
Citation: Schuetz CR, Hogan PG, Reich PJ .
Factors associated with progression to infection in methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus-colonized, critically ill neonates.
J Perinatol 2021 Jun;41(6):1285-92. doi: 10.1038/s41372-021-00944-8..
Keywords: Newborns/Infants, Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), Critical Care, Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), Healthcare-Associated Infections (HAIs)
Meddings J, Greene MT, Ratz D
Multistate programme to reduce catheter-associated infections in intensive care units with elevated infection rates.
AHRQ’s Safety Program for ICUs aimed to reduce central line-associated bloodstream infection (CLABSI) and catheter-associated urinary tract infection (CAUTI) in intensive care units with elevated rates. Included hospitals had at least one adult intensive care unit with elevated CLABSI or CAUTI rates. The investigators targeted intensive care units with elevated catheter infection rates but yielded no statistically significant reduction in CLABSI, CAUTI or catheter utilization in the first two of six planned cohorts. Improvements in the interventions based on lessons learned from these initial cohorts are being applied to subsequent cohorts.
AHRQ-funded; 233201500016I.
Citation: Meddings J, Greene MT, Ratz D .
Multistate programme to reduce catheter-associated infections in intensive care units with elevated infection rates.
BMJ Qual Saf 2020 May;29(5):418-29. doi: 10.1136/bmjqs-2019-009330..
Keywords: Catheter-Associated Urinary Tract Infection (CAUTI), Central Line-Associated Bloodstream Infections (CLABSI), Healthcare-Associated Infections (HAIs), Infectious Diseases, Patient Safety, Urinary Tract Infection (UTI), Intensive Care Unit (ICU), Hospitals, Evidence-Based Practice, Patient-Centered Outcomes Research, Inpatient Care, Critical Care
Hsu HE, Wang R, Jentzsch MS
Association between value-based incentive programs and catheter-associated urinary tract infection rates in the critical care setting.
This letter discussed a study which was done on value-based incentive programs to reduce the number of catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTI) in intensive care units (ICUs). The study used data from 592 hospitals in the District of Columbia and 49 states. Researchers found these incentive programs did not significantly reduce CAUTI.
AHRQ-funded; HS000063; HS025008; HS018414.
Citation: Hsu HE, Wang R, Jentzsch MS .
Association between value-based incentive programs and catheter-associated urinary tract infection rates in the critical care setting.
JAMA 2019 Feb 5;321(5):509-11. doi: 10.1001/jama.2018.18997.
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Keywords: Adverse Events, Catheter-Associated Urinary Tract Infection (CAUTI), Critical Care, Healthcare-Associated Infections (HAIs), Inpatient Care, Patient Safety, Urinary Tract Infection (UTI)
Boltey E, Yakusheva O, Costa DK
5 nursing strategies to prevent ventilator-associated pneumonia.
This article reviews the top five evidence-based nursing practices for reducing ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) risk in critically ill adults.
AHRQ-funded; HS024552.
Citation: Boltey E, Yakusheva O, Costa DK .
5 nursing strategies to prevent ventilator-associated pneumonia.
Am Nurse Today 2017 Jun;12(6):42-43..
Keywords: Critical Care, Healthcare-Associated Infections (HAIs), Nursing, Prevention, Pneumonia
Moehring RW, Anderson DJ, Cochran RL
Expert consensus on metrics to assess the impact of patient-level antimicrobial stewardship interventions in acute-care settings.
Antimicrobial stewardship programs (ASPs) positively impact patient care, but metrics to assess ASP impact are poorly defined. Researchers used a modified Delphi approach to select relevant metrics for assessing patient-level interventions in acute-care settings for the purposes of internal program decision making. On a 9-point Likert scale, six metrics were rated >6 in all criteria and fourteen metrics rated >6 in all criteria except feasibility.
AHRQ-funded; HS023866.
Citation: Moehring RW, Anderson DJ, Cochran RL .
Expert consensus on metrics to assess the impact of patient-level antimicrobial stewardship interventions in acute-care settings.
Clin Infect Dis 2017 Feb 1;64(3):377-83. doi: 10.1093/cid/ciw787.
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Keywords: Critical Care, Antimicrobial Stewardship, Healthcare-Associated Infections (HAIs), Patient Safety, Prevention
Bunnell KL, Zullo AR, Collins C
Methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus pneumonia in critically ill trauma and burn patients: a retrospective cohort study.
The authors sought to determine the incidence of MRSA pneumonia in early-onset and late-onset pneumonia and to identify risk factors for MRSA in the trauma-burn intensive care unit (ICU). They found that the 11.4% overall incidence of MRSA pneumonia in the studied trauma-burn cohort was similar to what has been reported in other trauma populations, although MRSA was equally likely to be identified in early- and late-onset pneumonia. They suggested that risk factors other than duration of hospitalization may be important considerations in the decision to initiate MRSA-active empiric therapy for pneumonia in the trauma-burn ICU.
AHRQ-funded; HS022998.
Citation: Bunnell KL, Zullo AR, Collins C .
Methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus pneumonia in critically ill trauma and burn patients: a retrospective cohort study.
Surg Infect 2017 Feb/Mar;18(2):196-201. doi: 10.1089/sur.2016.115.
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Keywords: Critical Care, Healthcare-Associated Infections (HAIs), Injuries and Wounds, Intensive Care Unit (ICU), Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA)
Croft LD, Harris AD, Pineles L
The effect of universal glove and gown use on adverse events in intensive care unit patients.
The researchers assessed if wearing gloves and gowns during all patient contact in the intensive care unit (ICU) changes adverse event rates. They found that in ICUs where healthcare workers donned gloves and gowns for all patient contact, patients were no more likely to experience adverse events than in control ICUs. Concerns of adverse events resulting from universal glove and gown use were not supported.
AHRQ-funded; 29020060001.
Citation: Croft LD, Harris AD, Pineles L .
The effect of universal glove and gown use on adverse events in intensive care unit patients.
Clin Infect Dis 2015 Aug 15;61(4):545-53. doi: 10.1093/cid/civ315..
Keywords: Patient Safety, Intensive Care Unit (ICU), Adverse Events, Healthcare-Associated Infections (HAIs), Critical Care
Rangachari P, Madaio M, Rethemeyer RK
The evolution of knowledge exchanges enabling successful practice change in two intensive care units.
There are gaps in understanding the mechanisms by which top-down communications enable practice change. The authors sought to address these gaps in order to help identify evidence-based management strategies for successful practice change at the unit level. They found that both intensive care units studied experienced substantially improved outcomes and indicated a statistically significant increase in proactive communications. Early in the study, champions emerged within each unit to initiate process improvements. The authors concluded that the study helped to identify evidence-based management strategies for successful practice change at the unit level.
AHRQ-funded; HS019785.
Citation: Rangachari P, Madaio M, Rethemeyer RK .
The evolution of knowledge exchanges enabling successful practice change in two intensive care units.
Health Care Manage Rev 2015 Jan-Mar;40(1):65-78. doi: 10.1097/hmr.0000000000000001.
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Keywords: Intensive Care Unit (ICU), Central Line-Associated Bloodstream Infections (CLABSI), Healthcare-Associated Infections (HAIs), Critical Care, Communication, Evidence-Based Practice, Organizational Change, Prevention, Patient Safety
Patrick SW, Kawai AT, Kleinman K
Health care-associated infections among critically ill children in the US, 2007-2012.
The researchers examined trends in central line-associated blood stream infections (CLABSI), catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTI), and ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) incidence rates between 2007 and 2012 based on standardized surveillance data from pediatric intensive care units (PICUs) and neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) in the United States. They found that incidence rates of CLABSIs and VAPs decreased among critically ill neonates and children during this period.
AHRQ-funded; HS018414.
Citation: Patrick SW, Kawai AT, Kleinman K .
Health care-associated infections among critically ill children in the US, 2007-2012.
Pediatrics 2014 Oct;134(4):705-12. doi: 10.1542/peds.2014-0613..
Keywords: Central Line-Associated Bloodstream Infections (CLABSI), Urinary Tract Infection (UTI), Critical Care, Children/Adolescents, Healthcare-Associated Infections (HAIs)
Bakullari A, Metersky ML, Wang Y
Racial and ethnic disparities in healthcare-associated infections in the United States, 2009-2011.
This study examined racial and ethnic disparities in the occurrence of healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) in 79,019 Medicare patients hospitalized with acute cardiovascular disease, pneumonia, and major surgery. It found that Asian and Hispanic patients, but not non-Hispanic blacks, had significantly higher rates of HAIs than white non-Hispanic patients.
AHRQ-funded; 290201200003C
Citation: Bakullari A, Metersky ML, Wang Y .
Racial and ethnic disparities in healthcare-associated infections in the United States, 2009-2011.
Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol. 2014 Oct;35 Suppl 3:S10-6. doi: 10.1086/677827..
Keywords: Healthcare-Associated Infections (HAIs), Disparities, Racial and Ethnic Minorities, Critical Care, Patient Safety
Eckenrode S, Bakullari A, Metersky ML
The association between age, sex, and hospital-acquired infection rates: results from the 2009-2011 National Medicare Patient Safety Monitoring System.
The researchers, using six different measures of hospital-acquired infections (HAIs), analyzed data from a large national sample of patients admitted to the hospital with acute cardiovascular disease, pneumonia, and major surgery to determine to determine age- and sex-related differences in HAI rates. They found that there are no simple ways to focus HAI-prevention efforts based solely on age or sex.
AHRQ-funded; 290201200003C
Citation: Eckenrode S, Bakullari A, Metersky ML .
The association between age, sex, and hospital-acquired infection rates: results from the 2009-2011 National Medicare Patient Safety Monitoring System.
Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol. 2014 Oct;35 Suppl 3:S3-9. doi: 10.1086/677831..
Keywords: Healthcare-Associated Infections (HAIs), Patient Safety, Medicare, Critical Care
Harris AD, Pineles L, Belton B
Universal glove and gown use and acquisition of antibiotic-resistant bacteria in the ICU: a randomized trial.
Antibiotic-resistant bacteria are associated with increased patient morbidity and mortality. It is unknown whether wearing gloves and gowns for all patient contact in the intensive care unit (ICU) decreases acquisition of antibiotic-resistant bacteria. The purpose of this study was to assess whether wearing gloves and gowns for all patient contact in the ICU decreases acquisition of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) or vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus (VRE) compared with usual care.
AHRQ-funded; HS018111; 290200600015.
Citation: Harris AD, Pineles L, Belton B .
Universal glove and gown use and acquisition of antibiotic-resistant bacteria in the ICU: a randomized trial.
JAMA 2013 Oct 16;310(15):1571-80. doi: 10.1001/jama.2013.277815..
Keywords: Patient Safety, Healthcare-Associated Infections (HAIs), Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), Infectious Diseases, Intensive Care Unit (ICU), Hospitals, Prevention, Critical Care