Hospital-reported Data on the Pneumonia Quality Measure ‘Time to First Antibiotic Dose" are not Associated with Inpatient Mortality

This weekly compilation of articles appearing in recently released journals and newsletters includes:

• Articles funded by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) or authored by AHRQ researchers.
• Articles mentioning or discussing AHRQ staff, activities, and publications/products.
• Articles related to AHRQ-funded Evidence-based Practice Centers.
• Articles related to the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force or Put Prevention into Practice program.
• Articles mentioning the National Healthcare Disparities Report and National Healthcare Quality Report.
• Other research using AHRQ data or products.

AHRQ-Funded/Authored Articles

Academic Emergency Medicine
Quattromani E, Powell ES, Khare RK, et al. Hospital-reported data on the pneumonia quality measure 'time to first antibiotic dose" are not associated with inpatient mortality: results of a nationwide cross-sectional analysis. Acad Emerg Med 2011 May; 18(5):496-503. [Supported by grants T32 HS00078 and F32 HS17876-01 (to second and third authors); uses 2007 Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project (HCUP) Nationwide Inpatient Sample (NIS) data, as published on AHRQ's HCUP Web site, and Elixhauser comorbidity measures (Elixhauser et al, Med Care, 1998).] Select to access the abstract.

AIDS and Behavior
Beach MC, Saha S, Korthuis PT, et al. Patient-provider communication differs for black compared to white HIV-infected patients. AIDS Behav 2011 May; 15(4):805-11. [Supported by contract 290-01-0012 and grant K08 HS13903-05 (to first author).] Select to access the abstract.

Korthuis PT, Saha S, Chander G, McCarty D, Moore RD, Cohn JA, Sharp VL, Beach MC. Substance use and the quality of patient-provider communication in HIV clinics. AIDS Behav 2011 May; 15(4):832-841. [Supported by contract 290-01-0012 and grant K08 HS13903-05 (to last author). Select to access the abstract

American Family Physician
Chetty VK, Culpepper L, Phillips RL Jr, Rankin J, Xierali I, Finnegan S, Jack B. FPs lower hospital readmission rates and costs. Am Fam Physician 2011 May 1; 83(9):1054, 1054A. [Supported by grants 1 R03 HS17354-01A2 (to first author) and R18 HS17196-01(to last author).] Select to access the abstract.

American Journal of Epidemiology
Funk MJ, Westreich D, Weisen C, et al. Doubly robust estimation of causal effects. Am J Epidemiol 2011 Apr 1; 173(7):761-7. [Supported by grants 3 U18 HS10397 and K02 HS17950.] Select to access the abstract.

American Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology
Learman LA, Gregorich SE, Schembri M, et al. Symptom resolution after hysterectomy and alternative treatments for chronic pelvic pain: does depression make a difference? Am J Obstet Gynecol 2011 Mar; 204(3):269.e1-269.e9. [Supported by grants U01 HS09748, R01 HS11657, U01 HS07373, and U01 HS09478.] Select to access the abstract.

American Journal of Transplantation
Boyarsky BJ, Hall EC, Singer AL, et al. Estimating the potential pool of HIV-infected deceased organ donors in the United States. Am J Transpl 2011 Jun; 11(6):1209-17. [Supported by HIV Research Network contract 290-01-0012 to Johns Hopkins University; uses 2005-2008 HCUP NIS data and Clinical Classification Software (CCS) and 2000 and 2008 data from the HIV Research Network; lists AHRQ under "Sponsoring Agencies" in the Appendix, with named representatives Fred Hellinger, John Fleishman, and Irene Fraser (first and third are researcher and director, respectively, in AHRQ's Center for Delivery, Organization, and Markets, and second is a researcher in AHRQ's Center for Financing, Access, and Cost Trends).] Select to access the abstract.

Annals of Surgery
Glance LG, Dick AW, Meredith JW, et al. Variation in hospital complication rates and failure-to-rescue for trauma patients. Ann Surg 2011 Apr; 253(4):811-16. [Supported by grant R01 HS16737.] Select to access the abstract.

Kozower BD, Stukenborg GJ. The relationship between hospital lung cancer resection volume and patient mortality risk. Ann Surg 2011 May 10. [Epub ahead of print. Supported by grants K08 HS18049 (to first author) and R01 HS17693001A1 (to second author); uses 2007 HCUP NIS data.] Select to access the abstract.

Archives of Internal Medicine
Nunez-Smith M, Bradley EH, Herrin J, et al. Quality of care in the US territories. Arch Intern Med 2011 Jun 27. [Epub ahead of print. Supported by grant R01 HS16929-1; cites AHRQ's National Healthcare Quality Report, 2008, and National Healthcare Disparities Report, 2008, both published in 2009.] Select to access the abstract.

Archives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine
Nylund CM, Goudie A, Garza JM, et al. Clostridium difficile infection in hospitalized children in the Unites States. Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med 2011 May; 165(5):451-7. [Supported by grant HS16957; uses 1997, 2000, 2003, and 2006 HCUP Kids' Inpatient Database (KID) data.] Select to access the abstract.

BMJ Quality and Safety
Sorensen AV, Harrison ME, Kane HL, et al. From research to practice: factors affecting implementation of prospective targeted injury-detection systems. BMJ Qual Saf 2011 Jun; 20(6):527-33. [Supported by contracts 290-00-0018 and 290-00-0011; first author is a researcher in AHRQ's Center for Delivery, Organization, and Markets;; cites AHRQ publications, Definitions for Triggers Terminology, in Triggers and Targeted Detection Systems (TIDS) Expert Panel Meeting: Conference Summary, 2009, Implementation Manual for Adverse Drug Events Targeted Injury Detection Systems, 2009, and Implementation Manual for Nosocomial Pressure Ulcers Targeted Injury Detection Systems, 2009.] Select to access the abstract.

Epidemiology and Infection
Rattanaumpawan P, Tolomeo P, Bilker WB, et al. Risk factors for fluoroquinolone resistance in Enterococcus urinary tract infections in hospitalized patients. Epidemiol Infect 2011 Jun; 139(6):955-61. [Supported by Centers for Education and Research on Therapeutics (CERTs) grant U18 HS10399.] Select to access the abstract.

Health Care Management Review
Jiang HJ, Lockee C, Fraser I. Enhancing board oversight on quality of hospital care: an agency theory perspective. Health Care Manage Rev 2011 Jun 27. [Epub ahead of print. First and third authors are a researcher in and director of AHRQ's Center for Delivery, Organization, and Markets, respectively; uses in-hospital mortality measures based on AHRQ's Inpatient Quality Indicators (IQI) and applies IQI Software Version 3.1 to the HCUP State Inpatient Databases (SID) to generate hospital-level risk adjusted rates for these mortality measures.] Select to access the abstract.

International Journal for Quality in Health Care
Weingart SN, Zhu J, Chiappetta L, et al. Hospitalized patients' participation and its impact on quality of care and patient safety. Int J Qual Health Care 2011 Jun; 23(3):269-77. [Supported by grant U18 HS11928; cites AHRQ publication, 20 Tips to Help Prevent Medical Errors, as published on the AHRQ Web site.] Select to access the abstract.

Journal of the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners
Warholak TL, Hines LE, Song MC, et al. Medical, nursing, and pharmacy students' ability to recognize potential drug-drug interaction: a comparison of healthcare professional students. J Am Acad Nurse Pract 2011 Apr; 23(4):216-21. [Supported by grant U18HS17001-02.] Select to access the abstract.

Journal of the American College of Surgeons
Kaufmann RM, Norris PR, Jenkins JM, Dupont WD, Torres RE, Blume JD, Dossett LA, et al. Trends in estradiol during critical illness are associated with mortality independent of admission estradiol. J Am Coll Surg 2011 Apr; 212(4):703-13. [Supported by grant T32 HS13833 (to seventh author).] Select to access the abstract.

Journal of the American Medical Informatics Association
Nanji KC, Rothschild JM, Salzberg C, et al. Errors associated with outpatient computerized prescribing systems. J Am Med Inform Assoc 2011 Jun 29. [Epub ahead of print. Supported by grant U18 HS16970.] Select to access the abstract.

Journal of Behavioral Medicine
Baron KG, Corden M, Jim L, et al. Impact of psychotherapy on insomnia symptoms in patients with depression and multiple sclerosis. J Behav Med 2011 Apr; 34(2):92-101. [Supported by grant T32 HS00078 (attributed to NIH).] Select to access the abstract.

Journal of Women's Health
Khanna R, Madhavan SS, Bhanegaonkar A, et al. Prevalence, healthcare utilization, and costs of breast cancer in a state Medicaid fee-for-service program. J Womens Health 2011 May; 20(5):739-47. [Supported by grant 1 R24 HS18622-01.] Select to access the abstract.

Mayo Clinic Proceedings
Kappagoda S, Singh U, Blackburn BG. Antiparasitic therapy. Mayo Clin Proc 2011 Jun; 86(6):561-83. [Supported by grant HS000028 (to first author).] Select to access the abstract.

Milbank Quarterly
Dixon-Woods M, Bosk CL, Aveling EL, Goeschel CA, Pronovost PJ. Explaining Michigan: developing an ex post theory of a quality improvement program. Milbank Q 2011 Jun; 89(2):167-205. [Supported by AHRQ grants to fourth and fifth authors, no number given.] Select to access the abstract.

Pathology
Willis CD, Elshaug AG, Milverton JL, et al. Diagnostic performance of serum cobalamin tests: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Pathology 2011 Jun 27. [Epub ahead of print. Second author is a researcher in AHRQ's Center for Outcomes and Evidence.] Select to access the abstract.

Pharmacoepidemiology and Drug Safety
Winthrop KL, Baxter R, Liu L, et al. The reliability of diagnostic coding and laboratory data to identify tuberculosis and nontuberculous mycobacterial disease among rheumatoid arthritis patients using anti-tumor necrosis factor therapy. Pharmacoepidemiol Drug Saf 2011 Mar; 20(3):229-35. [Supported by grant 1 K08 HS17552-01 (to first author).] Select to access the abstract.

Westreich D, Cole SR, Funk MJ, Brookhart MA, Sturmer T. The role of the c-static in variable selection for propensity score models. Pharmacoepidemiol Drug Saf 2011 Mar; 20(3):317-20. [Supported by Career Development Award K02 HS17950 (to third author); fifth author received investigator-initiated research funding and support as Principal Investigator of AHRQ's University of North Carolina Developing Evidence to Inform Decisions about Effectiveness (DEcIDE) center.] Select to access the abstract.

Brouwer ES, Napravnik S, Smiley SG, et al. Self-report of current and prior antiretroviral drug use in comparison to the medical record among HIV-infected patients receiving primary HIV care. Pharmacoepidemiol Drug Saf 2011 Apr; 20(4):432-9. [Supported by grant R01 HS18731.] Select to access the abstract.

Pituitary
McDowell BD, Wallace RB, Carhahan RM, et al. Demographic differences in incidence for pituitary adenoma. Pituitary 2011 Mar; 14(1):23-30. [Supported by grant 5 U18 HS16094.] Select to access the abstract.

Primary Care Diabetes
Jackson GL, Lee SY, Edelman D, et al. Employment of mid-level providers in primary care and control of diabetes. Prim Care Diabetes 2011 Apr; 5(1):25-31. [Supported by National Research Service Award institutional training grant T32 HS00079-06 (to first author); preliminary results of this investigation were presented at the AHRQ/Health Resources and Services Administration National Research Service Award Trainees Research Conference in Boston, 2005.] Select to access the abstract.

Research in Social and Administrative Pharmacy
Warholak TL, Menke JM, Hines LE, et al. A drug-drug interaction knowledge assessment instrument for health professional students: a Rasch analysis of validity evidence. Res Soc Adm Pharm 2011 Mar; 7(1):16-26. [Supported by grant U18HS17001-01 (Woosley R, principal investigator).] Select to access the abstract.

Hines LE, Saverno KR, Warholak TL, et al. Pharmacists' awareness of clinical decision support in pharmacy information systems: an exploratory evaluation. Res Soc Adm Pharm 2011 Apr 27. [Epub ahead of print. Supported by grant U18HS17001-01.] Select to access the abstract7.

Spine
Marawar S, Girardi FP, Sama AA, et al. National trends in anterior cervical fusion procedures. Spine 2010 Jul 1; 35(15):1454-9. [Supported by CERTs grant RFA-HS-05.] Select to access the abstract.

Stroke
Payabvash S, Souza LC, Wang Y, et al. Regional vulnerability of the brain to hypoperfusion: the need for location specific computed tomography perfusion thresholds in acute stroke patients. Stroke 2011 May; 42(5):1255-60. [Supported by grant R01 HS11392.] Select to access the abstract.

Vascular and Endovascular Surgery
Lee JA, Zierler BK, Liu DF, et al. Cost-effective diagnostic strategies in patients with a high, intermediate, or low clinical probability of pulmonary embolism. Vasc Endovascular Surg 2011 Feb; 45(2):113-21. [Supported by Partnerships in Safety grant 1 U18 HS15898 (second author, principal investigator).] Select to access the abstract.

Wolpin S, Lee JA, Glenny RW, Wittkowsky AK, Wolf FM, Zierler BK. Evaluation of online training on the prevention of venous thromboembolism. Vasc Endovascular Surg 2011 Feb; 45(2):146-56. [Supported by Partnerships in Safety grant 1 U18 HS15898 (sixth author, principal investigator).] Select to access the abstract.

[See AHRQ-authored article by Croswell, Kramer, and Crawford (Oncology, 2011) cited in U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF)/Put Prevention Into Practice (PPIP)-Related Articles below.]

AHRQ-Related Articles

Alternative Medicine Review
Cuthbert SC, Rosner AL. Conservative management of post-surgical urinary incontinence in an adolescent using applied kinesiology: a case report. Altern Med Rev 2011 Jun; 16(2):164-71. [Cites AHRQ-sponsored guideline, Managing Acute and Chronic Urinary Incontinence, 1996.] Select to access the abstract.

American Journal of Managed Care
Kozhimannil KB, Huskamp HA, Graves AJ, Soumerai SB, et al. High-deductible health plans and costs and utilization of maternity care. Am J Manag Care 2011 Jan; 17(1):e17-e25. [Cites AHRQ publication, The National Hospital Bill: Growth Trends and 2005 Update on the Most Expensive Conditions by Payer, HCUP Statistical Brief 42, 2007; notes that fourth author is an investigator in the HMO Research Network CERTs, which is supported by grant U18 HS10391.] Select to access the abstract.

Archives of Internal Medicine
Gutierrez N. Understanding health care disparities in the US territories. Arch Intern Med 2011 Jun 27. [Epub ahead of print. Comments on AHRQ-funded article by Nunez-Smith et al. (Arch Intern Med, 2011) cited in AHRQ-Funded/Authored Articles.]

BMJ Quality and Safety
Lingard L, Regehr G, Cartmill C, et al. Evaluation of a preoperative team briefing: a new communication routine results in improved clinical practice. BMJ Qual Saf 2011 Jun; 20(6):475-82. [Cites AHRQ-funded article by Classen et al (N Engl J Med, 1992).] Select to access the abstract.

Swensen SJ, Kaplan GS, Meyer GS, et al. Controlling healthcare costs by removing waste: what American doctors can do now. BMJ Qual Saf 2011 Jun; 20(6):534-7. [Cites AHRQ fact sheet AHRQ's Efforts to Prevent and Reduce Health Care-Associated Infections, as published on the AHRQ Web site.] Select to access the abstract.

Clinical Therapeutics
Lu CY, Law MR, Soumarai SB, Graves AJ, LeCates RF, Zhang F, Ross-Degnan, et al. Impact of prior authorization on the use and costs of lipid-lowering medications among Michigan and Indiana dual enrollees in Medicaid and Medicare: results of a longitudinal, population-based study. Clin Ther 2011 Jan; 33(1):135-44. [Notes that third, sixth, and seventh authors are investigators in the HMO Research Network CERTs, which is supported by grant U18 HS10391, and that they received previous funding from AHRQ for a separate, related study.] Select to access the abstract.

Ethnicity & Disease
Choi S, Lee JA, Rush E. Ethnic and language disparities in diabetes care among California residents. Ethn Dis 2011 Spring; 21(2):183-9. [Cites AHRQ-authored article by Moy, Greenberg, and Borsky (Health Aff, 2008).] Select to access the abstract.

International Journal for Quality in Health Care
Riiskj�r E, Ammentorp J, Nielsen JF, et al. Semi-customizing patient surveys: linking results and organizational conditions. Int J Qual Health Care 2011 Jun; 23(3):284-91. [Cites article by O'Malley et al. (Health Serv Res, 2005) which uses AHRQ's Consumer Assessment of Health Providers and Systems (CAHPS).] Select to access the abstract.

Kalisch BJ, Tschannen D, Lee KH. Do staffing levels predict missed nursing care? Int J Qual Health Care 2011 Jun; 23(3):302-8. [Cites and summarizes findings from AHRQ publication, Hospitalizations Related to Pressure Ulcers Among Adults 18 Years and Older, 2006, HCUP Statistical Brief 64, 2008.] Select to access the abstract.

Journal of Biomedical Informatics
Horvath MM, Winfield S, Evans S, et al. The DEDUCE Guided Query tool: providing simplified access to clinical data for research and quality improvement. J Biomed Inform 2011 Apr; 44(4):266-76. [Notes that "DEDUCE has been used to support a DUHS application to [AHRQ] titled 'Cellulitis Abscess Management in the Era of Resistant Antibiotics (CAMERA),' which was funded in 2009."] Select to access the abstract.

Journal of Health Politics, Policy and Law
Mechanic D. Behavioral health and health care reform. J Health Polit Policy Law 2011 Jun; 36(3):527-31. [Cites data on out-of-pocket expenditures for heart disease vs. mental disorders from AHRQ publication, The Five Most Costly Conditions, 1996 and 2006: Estimates for the U.S. Civilian Noninstitutionalized Population, MEPS Statistical Brief 248, 2009.]

Journal of Mental Health Policy and Economics
Sevilla-Dedieu C, Kovess-Masfety V, Gilbert F, et al. Mental health care and out-of-pocket expenditures in Europe: results from the ESEMeD project. J Ment Health Policy Econ 2011 Jun; 14(2):95-105. [Cites AHRQ-authored articles by Myerhoefer and Zuvekas (Health Econ, 2010), Zuvekas and Myerhoefer (J Ment Health Policy Econ, 2006), Zuvekas, Banthin, and Selden (Health Serv Res, 2001, and Health Serv Res, 2001), and Zuvekas (Health Aff, 2001).]

Journal of the National Cancer Institute
Tzelepis F, Paul CL, Walsh RA, et al. Proactive telephone counseling for smoking cessation: meta-analyses by recruitment channel and methodological quality. J Natl Cancer Inst 2011 Jun 22; 103(12):922-41. [Cites AHRQ-sponsored guideline, Treating Tobacco Use and Dependence: 2008 Update, 2008.] Select to access the abstract.

Journal of Women's Health
Rost K, Hsieh YP, Xu S, et al. Gender differences in hospitalization after emergency room visits for depressive symptoms. J Womens Health 2011 May; 20(5):719-24. [Cites AHRQ publication, Care of Women in U.S. Hospitals, 2000, HCUP Fact Book 3, 2002, and AHRQ-authored articles by Correa-de-Araujo, Stevens, Moy, Nilasena, Chesley, et al. (Womens Health Issues, 2006), Correa-de-Araujo, McDermott, and Moy (Womens Health Issues, 2006), and Kosiak, Sangl, and Correa-de-Araujo (Womens Health Issues, 2006).] Select to access the abstract.

Milbank Q
Gray BH. In this issue. Milbank Q 2011 Jun; 89(2):163-6. [Comments on AHRQ-funded article by Dixon-Woods et al. (Milbank Q, 2011) cited in AHRQ-Funded/Authored Articles above; cites AHRQ-funded articles by Pronovost et al. (BMJ, 2010, and N Engl J Med, 2006).]

U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF)/Put Prevention Into Practice (PPIP)-Related Articles

Ethnicity & Disease
Simonds VW, Colditz GA, Rudd RE, et al. Cancer screening among native Americans in California. Ethn Dis 2011 Spring; 21(2):202-9. [Cites USPSTF Web site page on cancer screening recommendations and uses USPSTF screening recommendations for cervical, breast, and colorectal cancer screening to determine eligible study participants.] Select to access the abstract.

International Journal of Collaborative Research on Internal Medicine & Public Health
How CB, Ming KE, Chin CY. Quality of care for adult type 2 diabetes mellitus at a university primary care centre in Malaysia. Int J Collab Res Intern Med Public Health 2011 Jun; 3(6);439-49. [Cites USPSTF recommendations on aspirin for the primary prevention of cardiovascular events (Ann Intern Med, 2002).]

Journal of Health Politics, Policy and Law
Pollack HA. Prevention and public health. J Health Polit Policy Law 2011 Jun; 36(3):515-20. [Discusses Patient Protection and Affordability Act (PPACA) provisions requiring coverage of preventive services receiving an A or B rating from the USPSTF; cites USPSTF recommendations as posted on the Healthcare.gov Web site; cites AHRQ-sponsored guideline, Treating Tobacco Use and Dependence, as published in article by Fiore et al. (JAMA, 2000).]

Mayo Clinic Proceedings
Chen WT, White CM, Phung OJ, et al. Association between CHADS2 risk factors and anticoagulation-related bleeding: a systematic literature review. Mayo Clin Proc 2011 Jun; 86(6):509-21. [Uses USPSTF evidence-rating methodologies to rate the validity of selected evaluations, citing USPSTF-sponsored article by Harris et al. (Am J Prev Med, 2001).] Select to access the abstract.

Military Medicine
Freeman RJ, Cersovsky SB, Barbour G. An evaluation of the delivery of clinical preventive services in the Joint Task Force National Capital Region Medical. Mil Med 2011 Jun; 176(6):679-84. [Uses USPSTF 2002 recommendations on breast cancer screening as the basis for the study's benchmark on mammography and USPSTF methodologies to develop idealized flowcharts for mammography screening processes.] Select to access the abstract.

Robertson JL, Robinson BJ, Hatcher CL, et al. Rates of gonorrhea and chlamydia in U.S. military personnel deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan (2004-2009). Mil Med 2011 Jun; 176(6):705-10. [Cites USPSTF recommendations on screening for chlamydial infection (Ann Intern Med, 2007) and AHRQ-authored article on USPSTF recommendations on STI screening (Am Fam Physician, 2008)

Oncology
Croswell JM, Kramer BS, Crawford D. Screening for prostate cancer with PSA testing: current status and future directions. Oncology 2011 May; 25(6):452-60, 463. [First author is a medical officer with AHRQ's Center for Primary Care, Prevention, and Clinical Partnerships; lists USPSTF recommendations on screening for prostate cancer (Ann Intern Med, 2008) in Table, Summary of Screening Recommendations for Prostate Cancer.] Select to access the abstract.

Primary Care
Grief SN. Nicotine dependence: health consequences, smoking cessation therapies, and pharmacotherapy. Prim Care 2011 Mar; 38(1):23-39. [Summarizes USPSTF recommendations on counseling and interventions to prevent tobacco use and tobacco-caused disease in adults and pregnant women (Ann Intern Med, 2009) and mentions endorsement of buproprion as a first line therapeutic agent in the AHRQ-sponsored guideline, Treatment Tobacco Use and Dependence: 2008 Update, 2008.] Select to access the abstract.

Freedy JR, Ryan K. Alcohol use screening and case finding: screening tools, clinical clues, and making the diagnosis. Prim Care 2011 Mar; 38(1):91-103. [Reviews USPSTF recommendations on screening for and treatment of alcohol use disorders among adults and adolescents from the Screening and Behavioral Counseling Interventions in Primary Care to Reduce Alcohol Misuse topic page on the AHRQ Web site and cites U.S. Preventive Services Task Force Evidence Syntheses, formerly Systematic Evidence Reviews topic page on the NLM Web site.] Select to access the abstract.

[Also refer to article by Wiener, Schwartz, and Woloshin (Arch Intern Med, 2011) cited in Research By Others Using AHRQ Data or Products below.]

Evidence-based Practice Centers-Related Articles

Alternative Medicine Review
Patrick L. Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD): a review of conventional and alternative treatments. Altern Med Rev 2011 Jun; 16(2):116-33. [Cites AHRQ comparative effectiveness review, Comparative Effectiveness of Management Strategies for Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease, 2005, prepared by the Tufts-New England Medical Center Evidence-based Practice Center (EPC) under contract 290-02-0022.] Select to access the abstract.

American Journal of Health Education
Powell K, Edelson V, O'Leary J, et al. Focus group evaluation of customized family health history education materials in a North Carolina community. Am J Health Educ 2011 May-Jun; 42(3):161-70. [Cites AHRQ Evidence Report/Technology Assessment summary Literacy and Health Outcomes, 2004.]

International Journal for Quality in Health Care
Ovretveit J. Widespread focused improvement: lessons from international health for spreading specific improvements to health services in high-income countries. Int J Qual Health Care 2011 Jun; 23(3):239-46. [Cites AHRQ Evidence Report/Technology Assessment, Making Health Care Safer: A Critical Analysis of Patient Safety Practices, Summary, 2001, as published on the AHRQ Web site; cites AHRQ-funded systematic review of the impact of health information technology on quality, efficiency, and costs of medical care by Chaudhry et al. (Ann Intern Med, 2006), performed by the Southern California EPC.] Select to access the abstract.

Journal of Women's Health
Wang L, Wu T, Anderson JL, et al. Prevalence and risk factors of maternal depression during the first three years of child rearing. J Womens Health 2011 May; 20(5):711-18. [Cites AHRQ Evidence Report/Technology Assessment, Perinatal Depression: Prevalence, Screening Accuracy, and Screening Outcomes, 2005, and AHRQ publication, Care of Women in U.S. Hospitals, 2000, HCUP Fact Book 3, 2002.] Select to access the abstract.

MLA News
Sathe NA, Jerome RN. Librarian contributions to the systematic review process. MLA News 2011 Jun-Jul; 51(6):14-15. [Notes that "librarians can learn more about the unique searching and appraisal skills required in an SR by reading...guidance from agencies conducting SRs, including [AHRQ]....", citing AHRQ publication, Methods Guide for Effectiveness and Comparative Effectiveness Reviews: Finding Evidence for Comparing Medical Interventions, 2011, developed by the Oregon EPC, as posted on the NLM Web site.]

National Healthcare Quality Report (NHQR)/National Healthcare Disparities Report (NHDR)-Related Articles

International Journal for Quality in Health Care
Bradley E, Thompson JW, Byam P, et al. Access and quality of rural healthcare: Ethiopian Millennium Rural Initiative. Int J Qual Health Care 2011 Jun;23(3):222-30. [Cites AHRQ publication, Health Care Disparities in Rural Areas: Selected Findings from the 2004 National Healthcare Disparities Report, 2005.]
Select to access the abstract.

Milbank Quarterly
Thorlby R, Jorgensen S, Siegel B, et al. How health care organizations are using data on patients' race and ethnicity to improve quality of care. Milbank Q 2011 Jun; 89(2):226-55. [Cites AHRQ's NHDR, 2009. Also refer to article by Nunez-Smith et al. (Arch Intern Med, 2011) cited in AHRQ-Funded/Authored Articles.] Select to access the abstract.

Research By Others Using AHRQ Data or Products

American Journal of Infection Control
Al-Raqwajfa OM, Hewitt JB, Stetzer F, et al. Length of stay and charges associated with health care-acquired bloodstream infections. Am J Infect Control 2011 May 28. [Epub ahead of print. Uses 2003 HCUP NIS data, citing HCUP Nationwide Inpatient Sample: Design of the HCUP Nationwide Inpatient Sample, 2003, 2005, and Final Report on Calculating Nationwide Inpatient Sample (NIS) Variances, 2001, HCUP Methods Series Report 2003-2, 2005; cites findings from article by Al-Rawajfa, Stetzer, and Hewitt (Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol, 2009) which uses 2003 HCUP NIS data.] Select to access the abstract.

American Journal of Surgery
Ho TW, Shaheen AA, Dixon E, et al. Utilization of thyroidectomy for benign disease in the United States: a 15-year population-based study. Am J Surg 2011 May; 201(5):570-4. [Uses 1993-2007 HCUP NIS data.] Select to access the abstract.

Lu KC, Cone MM, Diggs BS, et al. Laparoscopic converted to open colectomy: predictors and outcomes from the Nationwide Inpatient Sample. Am J Surg 2011 May; 201(5):634-9. [Uses 2002-2007 HCUP NIS data.] Select to access the abstract.

Annals of Surgical Oncology
Kazaure HS, Roman SA, Sosa JA. Adrenalectomy in older Americans has increased morbidity and mortality: an analysis of 6,416 patients. Ann Surg Oncol 2011 May 5. [Epub ahead of print. Uses 2003-2008 HCUP NIS data, citing HCUP NIS Reports, NIS Database Documentation, as published on AHRQ's HCUP Web site.] Select to access the abstract.

Archives of Internal Medicine
Wiener RS, Schwartz LM, Woloshin S. Time trends in pulmonary embolism in the United States: evidence of overdiagnosis. Arch Intern Med 2011 May 9; 171(9):831-7. [Uses 1993-2006 HCUP NIS data, as published on AHRQ's HCUP and HCUPnet Web sites; cites USPSTF recommendations on screening for breast cancer (Ann Intern Med, 2009).] Select to access the abstract.

Archives of Surgery
Cone MM, Herzig DO, Diggs BS, et al. Dramatic decreases in mortality from laparoscopic colon resections based on data from the Nationwide Inpatient Sample. Arch Surg 2011 May; 146(5):594-9. [Uses 2002-2007 HCUP NIS data and AHRQ's Elixhauser comorbidity measures (Elixhauser et al., Med Care, 1998); cites Overview of the Nationwide Inpatient Sample (NIS) landing page on AHRQ's HCUP Web site.] Select to access the abstract.

BMJ Quality and Safety
Render ML, Freyberg RW, Hasselbeck R, et al. Infrastructure for quality transformation: measurement and reporting in Veterans Administration intensive care units. BMJ Qual Saf 2011 Jun; 20(6):498-507. [Uses AHRQ's Clinical Classifications Software diagnostic grouping strategy; cites AHRQ publication, Hospitalization in the United States:2002, HCUP Fact Book 6, 2005.] Select to access the abstract.

Cardiology Research and Practice
Ovbiagele B, Markovic D, Fonarow GC. Recent US patterns and predictors of prevalent diabetes among acute myocardial infarction patients. Cardiol Res Pract 2011 Apr 7. [Epub ahead of print. Uses 1997-2006 HCUP NIS data.] Select to access the abstract.

Diseases of the Esophagus
Wang YR, Dempsey DT, Richter JE. Trends and perioperative outcomes of inpatient antireflux surgery in the United States, 1993-2006. Dis Esophagus 2011 May; 24(4):215-23. [Uses 1993-2006 HCUP NIS data, and 2006 HCUP State Ambulatory Surgery Database (SASD) and State Inpatient Databases (SID) data for California, Maryland, and New Jersey.] Select to access the abstract.

Ethnicity & Disease
Shen JJ, Lu M. Changes in patterns of racial disparities in attending low-mortality hospitals and outcomes among patients with stroke. Ethn Dis 2011 Spring; 21(2):135-41. [Uses 2000 and 2006 HCUP NIS data and AHRQ's Elixhauser comorbidity measures (Elixhauser et al., Med Care, 1998); cites AHRQ publication, Guide to Inpatient Quality Indicators: Quality of Care in Hospitals—Volume, Mortality, and Utilization, Version 3.1, 2007.] Select to access the abstract.

Hypertension
Brunner EJ, Shipley MJ, Witte DR, et al. Arterial stiffness, physical function, and functional limitation: the Whitehall II study. Hypertension 2011 May; 57(5):1003-9. [Uses study cohort data from the Whitehall II study, previously funded by AHRQ.] Select to access the abstract.

International Journal for Quality in Health Care
Webster TR, Mantopoulos J, Jackson E, et al. A brief questionnaire for assessing patient healthcare experiences in low-income settings. Int J Qual Health Care 2011 Jun; 23(3):258-68. [Uses AHRQ's Consumer Assessment of Health Providers and Systems (CAHPS) survey questions as modified for use in Ethiopia; cites several articles supporting the reliability and validity of CAHPS.] Select to access the abstract.

Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism
Kumari M, Shipley M, Stafford M, et al. Association of diurnal patterns in salivary cortisol with all-cause and cardiovascular mortality: findings from the Whitehall II study. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 2011 May; 96(5):1478-85. [Uses study cohort data from the Whitehall II study, previously funded by AHRQ.] Select to access the abstract.

Journal of Hospital Medicine
Carroll CP, Haywood C, Lanzkron S. Prediction of onset and course of high hospital utilization in sickle cell disease. J Hosp Med 2011 May-Jun; 6(5):248-55. [Uses 2004-2007 HCUP SID data for California; cites AHRQ publication, Sickle Cell Disease Patterns in U.S. Hospitals, 2004, HCUP Statistical Brief 21, 2006.] Select to access the abstract.

Journal of Neurosurgery
Rughani AI, Dumont TM, Lin CT, et al. Safety of microvascular decompression for trigeminal neuralgia in the elderly. J Neurosurg 2011 May 13. [Epub ahead of print. uses 1999-2008 HCUP NIS data, as published on AHRQ's HCUP Web site.] Select to access the abstract.

Journal of Pediatric Surgery
Rhee D, Zhang Y, Chang DC, et al. Population-based comparison of open vs. laparoscopic esophagogastric fundoplication in children: application of the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality pediatric quality indicators. J Pediatr Surg 2011 Apr; 46(4):648:654. [Uses 1988-1996, 1998, 1999, 2001, 2002, 2004, 2005, and 2007 HCUP NIS data, 1997, 2000, 2003, and 2006 HCUP Kids' Inpatient Database (KID) data. AHRQ's Pediatric Quality Indicators (PDIs), and AHRQ's Quality Indicators Wizard.] Select to access the abstract.

Journal of Stroke and Cerebrovascular Diseases
Alshekhlee A, Horn C, Jung R, et al. In-hospital mortality in acute ischemic stroke treated with hemicraniectomy in US hospitals. J Stroke Cerebrovasc Dis 2011 May-Jun; 20(3):196-201. [Uses 2000-2006 HCUP NIS data.] Select to access the abstract.

Journal of Surgical Research
Oyetunji TA, Nwomeh BC, Ong'uti SK, et al. Laparoscopic appendectomy in children with complicated appendicitis: ethnic disparity amid changing trend. J Surg Res 2011 May 31. [Epub ahead of print. Uses 1998-2007 HCUP NIS data and 2000, 2003, and 2006 HCUP KID data.] Select to access the abstract.

Journal of Trauma
Schneider EB, Haider AH, Lidor AO, et al. Global surgical package reimbursement and the acute care surgeon: a threat to optimal care. J Trauma 2011 Mar; 70(3):583-9. [Uses 2006 HCUP NIS data.] Select to access the abstract.

Lovald S, Mercer D, Hanson J, et al. Complications and hardware removal after open reduction and internal fixation of humeral fractures. J Trauma 2011 May; 70(5):1273-8. [Uses 2007 HCUP NIS data.] Select to access the abstract.

Journal of Vascular Surgery
LaPar DJ, Bhamidipati CM, Upchurch GR, et al. Time of year does not influence mortality for vascular operations at academic centers. J Vasc Surg 2011 Apr 29. [Epub ahead of print. Uses 2003-2007 HCUP NIS data.] Select to access the abstract.

North Carolina Medical Journal
Plescia M, Wansink D, Waters HR, et al. Medical costs of secondhand-smoke exposure in North Carolina. N C Med J 2011 Jan-Feb; 72(1):7-12. [Uses 2006 Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS) data.] Select to access the abstract.

Patient Education and Counseling
Gorawara-Bhat R, Cook MA. Eye contact in patient-centered communication. Patient Educ Couns 2011 Mar; 82(3):442-7. [Uses and analysis archived videotapes of physician-elder patient interactions developed under previous AHRQ-funded study by same authors (Patient Educ Couns, 2007).] Select to access the abstract.

Surgery for Obesity and Related Diseases
Martin MJ, Beekly AC, Sebesta JA. Bowel obstruction in bariatric and nonbariatric patients: major differences in management strategies and outcome. Surg Obes Relat Dis 2011 May-Jun; 7(3):263-70. [Uses 2006-2007 HCUP NIS data. Also refer to AHRQ-funded articles by Quattromani et al. (Acad Emerg Med, 2011), Boyarsky et al. (Am J Transpl, 2011), Glance et al. (Ann Surg, 2011), Nyland et al. (Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med, 2011), and Jiang, Lockee, and Fraser (Health Care Manage Rev, 2011) cited in AHRQ-Funded/Authored Articles.] Select to access the abstract.