| November 23, 2021, Issue #790 As the COVID-19 pandemic set in—from April to September 2020—there were 16 percent fewer hospitalizations for adults age 65 and older in 13 states compared with the same period in the four prior years. However, there were 30 percent more in-hospital deaths among patients in this age group. (Source: AHRQ, Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project Statistical Brief #285, Changes in Hospitalizations and In-Hospital Deaths for Adults Aged 65 Years and Older in the Initial Period of the COVID-19 Pandemic [April-September 2020], 13 States.)  AHRQ's contributions to the emerging era of digital healthcare transformation is the subject of a new AHRQ Views blog by Chris Dymek, Ed.D., director of the agency's Digital Healthcare Research (DHR) Program. AHRQ's DHR program funds research that yields actionable findings about which technologies carry the highest potential to improve patient care. A new annual report, Improving Healthcare Through AHRQ's Digital Healthcare Research Program, summarizes the impact that AHRQ-funded research is having in key areas: strengthening patient engagement to improve care and shared decision making; supporting clinicians to improve decision making and patients' care; and improving the delivery of health services at the health systems level. Access the blog post. To receive all blog posts, submit your email address and select "AHRQ Views Blog." |  Implementing seven evidence-based strategies to build quality improvement capacity in smaller primary care practices was associated with improved blood pressure control, according to an AHRQ-funded study published in Annals of Family Medicine. The study examined 209 practices in Washington, Oregon and Idaho participating in the AHRQ EvidenceNOW Healthy Hearts Northwest initiative that implemented evidence-based strategies, including: - Embedding clinical evidence into daily work to guide delivery of care
- Utilizing data to improve clinical performance measures
- Establishing regular quality improvement processes among cross-functional teams
- Identifying at-risk patients through proactive outreach
Quality improvement (QI) capacity was assessed over a 15-month period, and researchers found statistically significant improvement in QI capacity between baseline and follow-up, especially for establishing regular QI processes. Researchers did not find a strong association between the QI capacity and clinical quality measures on appropriate aspirin use and tobacco cessation counseling. Access the abstract. | Dec. 13 is the deadline for responses to a Request for Information that asks how AHRQ can help address climate change. Climate change's impacts on physical and behavioral health have increased the demands on the nation's healthcare system, which is also a major producer of greenhouse gas. AHRQ is seeking input on strategies to address climate change and environmental justice through the agency's core competencies. Specifically, AHRQ aims to help build healthcare's resilience to climate threats, reduce the healthcare industry's contributions to climate change while increasing sustainability, and address environmental justice. Seven experts representing diverse segments of the healthcare field have been chosen to serve on AHRQ's National Advisory Council. The 21-member panel consists of 21 members from the private sector and four ex-officio members from other federal health agencies. The council advises the HHS secretary and AHRQ's director about research needed to help improve quality, outcomes, and cost-effectiveness of clinical practice. The new members are: - Andrew D. Auerbach, M.D., M.P.H., professor of medicine in residence, University of San Francisco
- Caroline Carney, M.D., M.Sc., FAMP, C.P.H.Q., chief medical officer, Magellan Health
- Catherine H. Ivory, Ph.D., R.N.-B.C., R.N.C.-O.B., FAAN, senior director of nursing research, Vanderbilt University Medical Center
- Mireille Jacobson, Ph.D., M.A., associate professor, Leonard Davis School of Gerontology, University of Southern California
- David F. Schmitz, M.D., FAAFP., professor and chair, Department of Family and Community Medicine, University of North Dakota School of Medicine and Health Sciences
- Joedrecka S. Brown Speights, M.D., professor and chair, Family Medicine and Rural Health, College of Medicine, Florida State University
- Henry H. Ting, M.D., M.B.A., senior vice president and chief health officer, Delta Air Lines; adjunct professor of medicine, Emory University School of Medicine; professor emeritus, Mayo Clinic School of Medicine
Access more information about the council and its members. AHRQ's Patient Safety Network (PSNet) highlights journal articles, books and tools related to patient safety. Articles featured this week include: Review additional new publications in PSNet's current issue or access recent cases and commentaries in AHRQ's WebM&M (Morbidity and Mortality Rounds on the Web). | AHRQ in the Professional Literature Development and acceptability of a shared decision-making tool for commercial peanut allergy therapies. Greenhawt M, Shaker M, Winders T, et al. Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol. 2020 Jul;125(1):90-6. Epub 2020 Feb 11. Access the abstract on PubMed®. The emergency department trigger tool: a novel approach to screening for quality and safety events. Griffey RT, Schneider RM, Todorov AA. Ann Emerg Med. 2020 Aug;76(2):230-40. Epub 2019 Oct 14. Access the abstract on PubMed®. Informatics opportunities to involve patients in hospital safety: a conceptual model. Haldar S, Mishra SR, Pollack AH, et al. J Am Med Inform Assoc. 2020 Feb;27(2):202-11. Access the abstract on PubMed®. Post-intensive-care syndrome for the pediatric neurologist. Hartman ME, Williams CN, Hall TA, et al. Pediatr Neurol. 2020 Jul;108:47-53. Epub 2020 Feb 20. Access the abstract on PubMed®. Access to obstetric, behavioral health, and surgical inpatient services after hospital mergers in rural areas. Henke RM, Fingar KR, Jiang HJ, et al. Health Aff. 2021 Oct;40(10):1627-36. Access the abstract on PubMed®. Assessing hospital electronic health record vendor performance across publicly reported quality measures. Holmgren AJ, Kuznetsova M, Classen D, et al. J Am Med Inform Assoc. 2021 Sep 18;28(10):2101-7. Access the abstract on PubMed®. Delivering care to high-cost high-need patients: lessons learned in the development of a complex care primary care team. Pestka DL, Paterson NL, Benedict KA, et al. J Prim Care Community Health. 2021 Jan-Dec;12:21501327211023888. Access the abstract on PubMed®. Use of enhanced data visualization to improve patient judgments about hypertension control. Shaffer VA, Wegier P, Valentine KD, et al. Med Decis Making. 2020 Aug;40(6):785-96. Epub 2020 Jul 22. Access the abstract on PubMed®. Contact Information For comments or questions about AHRQ News Now, contact Bruce Seeman, (301) 427-1998 or Bruce.Seeman@ahrq.hhs.gov. |
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