QTc Interval Screening in an Opioid Treatment Program

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.

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AHRQ-Funded/Authored Articles

American Journal of Cardiology
Katz DF, Sun J, Khatri V, Kao D, Bucher-Bartelson B, Traut C, Lundin-Martinez J, Goodman M, Mehler PS, Krantz MJ. QTc interval screening in an opioid treatment program. Am J Cardiol 2013 Oct 1; 112(7):1013-18. [Supported by grant 1 P01 HS21138-01 (to last author).] Select to access the abstract.

American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine
Gabler NB, Ratcliffe SJ, Wagner J, et al. Asch DA, Rubenfeld GD, Angus DC, Halpern SD. Mortality among patients admitted to strained intensive care units. Am J Respir Crit Care Med 2013 Oct 1; 188(7):800-6. [Supported by grant K08 HS18406.] Select to access the abstract.

Annals of Internal Medicine
Wagner J, Gabler NB, Ratcliffe SJ, et al. Outcomes among patients discharged from busy intensive care units. Ann Intern Med 2013 Oct 1; 159(7):447-55. [Supported by grant K08 HS18406.] Select to access the abstract.

Annals of Surgery
Fitzgibbons RJ Jr, Ramanan B, Arya S, et al. Long-term results of a randomized controlled trial of a nonoperative strategy (watchful waiting) for men with minimally symptomatic inguinal hernias. Ann Surg 2013 Sep; 258(3):508-15. [Supported by grant R01 HS09860.] Select to access the abstract.

Health Services Research
Lebrun-Harris LA, Baggett TP, Jenkins DM, Sripipatana A, Sharma R, Hayashi AS, Daly CA, Ngo-Metzger Q. Health status and health care experiences among homeless patients in federally supported health centers: findings from the 2009 patient survey. Health Serv Res 2013 Jun; 48(3):992-1017. [Last author is USPSTF scientific director with AHRQ's Center for Primary Care, Prevention, and Clinical Partnerships (and was with the Health Resources and Services Administration at time of article acceptance); uses interview questions replicated after MEPS and other surveys.] Select to access the abstract.

JAMA
Raebel MA, Newcomer SR, Reifler LM, et al. Chronic use of opioid medications before and after bariatric surgery. JAMA 2013 Oct 2; 310(13):1369-76. [Supported by grant 1 R01 HS19912.] Select to access the abstract.

Nicholas LH, Dimick JB. Bariatric surgery in minority patients before and after implementation of a Centers of Excellence program. JAMA 2013 Oct 2; 310(13):1399-1400. [Supported by grant K08 HS17765 (to second author).]

JAMA Internal Medicine
Barnett ML, Linder JA. Antibiotic prescribing to adults with sore throat in the United States, 1997-2010. JAMA Intern Med 2014 Jan 1; 174(1):138-40. [Supported by grant R18 HS18419 (to second author).]

JAMA Psychiatry
Bobo WV, Cooper WO, Stein CM, et al. Antipsychotics and the risk of type 2 diabetes mellitus in children and youth. JAMA Psychiatry 2013 Oct; 70(10):1067-75. [Supported by Centers for Education and Research on Therapeutics (CERTs) grant HS11697-4.] Select to access the abstract.

Journal of the American Dental Association
Abasaeed R, Kranz AM, Rozier RG. The impact of the Great Recession on untreated dental caries among kindergarten students in North Carolina. J Am Dent Assoc 2013 Sep; 144(9):1038-46. [Supported by National Research Service Award (NRSA) Pre-Doctoral Traineeship grant T32 HS00032 (to second author).] Select to access the abstract.

Journal of General Internal Medicine
Mitchell SE, Gardiner PM, Sadikova E, et al. Patient activation and 30-day post-discharge hospital utilization. J Gen Intern Med 2013 Oct 4. [Epub ahead of print. Supported by Mentored Clinical Scientist Award grant 1 K08 HS1977-01 (to first author).] Select to access the abstract.

Journal for Healthcare Quality
Hong AL, Sawyer MD, Shore A, et al. for the On the CUSP: Stop BSI Program. Decreasing central-line-associated bloodstream infections in Connecticut intensive care units. J Healthc Qual 2013 Sep-Oct; 35(5):78-87. [Supported by contract HHSA2902006000222; discusses AHRQ-funded Michigan Keystone project and On the CUSP: Stop CAUTI program and evaluates implementation of the national program in Connecticut.] Select to access the abstract.

Obstetrics & Gynecology
Matthews CA, Whitehead WE, Townsend MK, et al. Risk factors for urinary, fecal, or dual incontinence in the Nurses' Health Study. Obstet Gynecol 2013 Sep; 122(3):539-45. [Supported by grant R01 HS18695.] Select to access the abstract.

Suskind AM, Clemens JQ, Dunn RL, et al. Effectiveness of mesh compared with nonmesh sling surgery in Medicare beneficiaries. Obstet Gynecol 2013 Sep; 122(3):546-52. [Supported by grant R01 HS18726-01.] Select to access the abstract.

Patient
Quigley DD, Martino SC, Brown JA, et al. Hays RD. Evaluating the content of the communication items in the CAHPS® clinician and group survey and supplemental items with what high-performing physicians say they do. Patient 2013; 6(3):169-77. [Supported by grant U18 HS16980; uses AHRQ's Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems (CAHPS) Clinician and Group Survey (CG-CAHPS).] Select to access the abstract.

Pediatrics
Johnson TJ, Weaver MD, Borrero S, Davis EM, Myaskovsky L, Zuckerbraun NS, Kraemer KL. Association of race and ethnicity with management of abdominal pain in the emergency department. Pediatrics 2013 Oct; 132(4):e851-e858. [Supported by grant T32 HS17587 (to first and last authors).] Select to access the abstract.

Lewandowski RE, Acri MC, Hoagwood KE, et al. Evidence for the management of adolescent depression. Pediatrics 2013 Oct; 132(4):e996-e1009. [Supported by grant U18 HS20503.] Select to access the abstract.

Stroke
Radecki RP. Letter by Radecki regarding article, "safety of thrombolysis in stroke mimics: results from a multicenter cohort study". Stroke 2013 Sep; 44(9):e105. [Author is supported by grant T32 HS17586.]

Also refer to article by Berkman et al. (J Clin Epidemiol, 2013) cited in Evidence-based Practice Centers (EPC)-Related Articles.

AHRQ-Related Articles

American Journal of Managed Care
Pasquale MK, Louder AM, Deminski MC, et al. Out-of-pocket costs and prescription reversals with oral linezolid. Am J Manag Care 2013 Sep; 19(9):734-40. [Cites the AHRQ-funded adaptation of the Charlson comorbidity index described in AHRQ-funded article by Deyo, Cherkin, and Ciol (J Clin Epidemiol, 1992).] Select to access the abstract.

Health Services Research
Dunn A, Liebman E, Pack S, et al. Medical care price indexes for patients with employer-provided insurance: nationally representative estimates from MarketScan Data. Health Serv Res 2013 Jun; 48(3):1173-90. [Mentions findings from study by Aizcorbe et al. (BEA Work Pap, 2010) which uses Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS) data.] Select to access the abstract.

Infection Control and Hospital Epidemiology
Knepper BC, Young H, Jenkins TC, et al. Time-saving impact of an algorithm to identify potential surgical site infections. Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol 2013 Oct; 34(10):1094-8. [Cites AHRQ publication, Improving the Measurement of Surgical Site Infection Risk Stratification/Outcome Detection: Final Report, 2012, prepared by Denver Health under contract 290-2006-20.] Select to access the abstract.

Infection Control and Hospital Epidemiology
Mehrotra P, Croft L, Day HR, et al. Effects of contact precautions on patient perception of care and satisfaction: a prospective cohort study. Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol 2013 Oct; 34(10):1087-1093. [Supported by grant 1 K08 HS18111-01 (to last author, Morgan DJ); uses AHRQ’s HCAHPS survey and the AHRQ-funded adaptation of the Charlson comorbidity index described in AHRQ-funded article by Deyo, Cherkin, and Ciol (J Clin Epidemiol, 1992); summarizes findings from study by Gasink et al. (Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol, 2008) which uses HCAHPS.] Select to access the abstract.

JAMA Internal Medicine
Redberg RF. Choosing wisely, and soon. JAMA Intern Med 2014 Jan 1; 174(1):140. [Comments on article by Barnett and Linder (JAMA Intern Med, 2013) cited in AHRQ-Funded/Authored Articles.]

JAMA Surgery
Shepard J, Ward W, Milstone A, et al. Financial impact of surgical site infections on hospitals: the hospital management perspective. JAMA Surg 2013 Oct; 148(10):907-14. [Cites AHRQ publication, A Decade of Evidence, Design, and Implementation: Advancing Patient Safety, 2009, as published on the AHRQ Web site.] Select to access the abstract.

Journal of Nursing Care Quality
Kennedy B, Craig JB, Wetsel M, et al. Three nursing interventions' impact on HCAHPS scores. J Nurs Care Qual 2013 Oct-Dec; 28(4):327-34. [Cites AHRQ publication, Health Literacy Universal Precautions Toolkit, 2010, and AHRQ's CAHPS Hospital Survey, as published on the HCAHPS Web site.] Select to access the abstract.

Halpin L, Henry L, Szelkowski L, et al. Ventilator-associated pneumonia among cardiac surgery patients: what can we do for prevention? J Nurs Care Qual 2013 Oct-Dec; 28(4):345-51. [Cites AHRQ-funded article by Glance et al. (Med Care, 2008.] Select to access the abstract.

Turkmen E, Baykal U, Intepeler SS, et al. Nurses' perceptions of and factors promoting patient safety culture in Turkey. J Nurs Care Qual. 2013 Oct-Dec; 28(4):360-7. [Cites AHRQ publication, Patient Safety Tips for Hospitals, 2009, as published on the AHRQ Web site, and AHRQ-authored articles by Clancy (former AHRQ director) (J Nurs Care Qual, 2011) and Hughes and Clancy (former AHRQ researcher and AHRQ director, respectively) (J Nurs Care Qual, 2005).] Select to access the abstract.

Tchato L, Putnam J, Raup GH. A redesigned pressure ulcer program based on nurses' beliefs about the Braden Scale. J Nurs Care Qual 2013 Oct-Dec; 28(4):368-73. [Cites AHRQ publication, Preventing Pressure Ulcers in Hospitals: A Toolkit for Improving Quality of Care, 2011, as published on the AHRQ Web site.] Select to access the abstract.

Managed Care
Robertson DC, Schoelles K. AHRQ's free research can help plans anticipate coverage issues. Manag Care 2013 Oct; 22(10):41-4. [Discusses AHRQ's Healthcare Horizon Scanning System for new and emerging drugs, devices, procedures, programs, and health care settings.]

Survey of Current Business
Mayerhauser NM, Pack SJ. Preview of the 2013 comprehensive revision of the national income and product accounts: statistical changes. Surv Curr Bus 2013 May 1; 93(5):6-14. [Mentions that the Bureau of Economic Analysis "will also add the value of the A.M. Best data on Medicare Advantage plans and on Medicaid Managed Care programs to its data from [AHRQ's MEPS] to estimate total medical and hospitalization insurance premiums."]

U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF)-Related Articles

American Journal of Epidemiology
Isidean SD, Franco EL. Counterpoint: cervical cancer screening guidelines—approaching the golden age. Am J Epidemiol 2013 Oct 1; 178(7):1023-6; discussion 1027. [Cites USPSTF recommendations on screening for cervical cancer and screening for prostate cancer (two articles in Ann Intern Med, 2012) and AHRQ evidence synthesis, Screening for Cervical Cancer: A Decision Analysis for the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force, 2011, as prepared by the Duke Evidence-based Practice Center (EPC).] Select to access the abstract.

American Journal of Managed Care
Luckmann R, Costanza ME, Rosal M, et al. Referring patients for telephone counseling to promote colorectal cancer screening. Am J Manag Care 2013 Sep; 19(9):702-8. [Cites USPSTF recommendations on screening for colorectal cancer (Ann Intern Med, 2002).] Select to access the abstract.

Annals of Internal Medicine
Ferrante JM, Lee JH, McCarthy EP, et al. Primary care utilization and colorectal cancer incidence and mortality among Medicare beneficiaries: a population-based, case-control study. Ann Intern Med 2013 Oct 1; 159(7):437-46. [Cites USPSTF recommendations on screening for colorectal cancer (Ann Intern Med, 2008).] Select to access the abstract.

Moyer VA; U.S. Preventive Services Task Force. Screening for glaucoma: U.S. Preventive Services Task Force Recommendation Statement. Ann Intern Med 2013 Oct 1; 159(7):484-9. [Updates USPSTF 2004 recommendations on screening for glaucoma, based on findings from AHRQ comparative effectiveness reviews, Screening for Glaucoma: Comparative Effectiveness, 2012, and Treatment for Glaucoma: Comparative Effectiveness, 2012, and systematic review by Boland et al. (Ann Intern Med, 2013) on the comparative effectiveness of treatments for open-angle glaucoma.] Select to access the abstract.

JAMA
Mitka M. USPSTF: Primary care clinicians can help curb tobacco use in youths. JAMA 2013 Oct 2; 310(13):1330. [Discusses updated USPSTF recommendations on primary care interventions to prevent tobacco use in children and adolescents.]

JAAPA: Official Journal of the American Academy of Physician Assistants
Essary AC, McNellis RJ. Three new recommendations from the US Preventive Services Task Force. JAAPA 2013 Oct; 26(10):55-7. [Summarizes USPSTF recommendations on screening for and management of obesity in adults and findings from associated USPSTF-sponsored systematic review by LeBlanc et al. (Ann Intern Med, 2012 and 2011), recommendations on preventing falls in community-dwelling older adults and associated USPSTF-sponsored systematic review by Michael et al. (Ann Intern Med, 2012 and 2010), and recommendations on vitamin D and calcium supplementation to prevent fractures (Ann Intern Med, 2013); cites USPSTF Grade Definitions, 2013, as published on the USPSTF Web site, and summarizes them in Table 2, USPSTF Grade Definitions and Suggestions for Practice; cites USPSTF publication, First Annual Report to Congress on High-Priority Evidence Gaps for Clinical Preventive Services, 2011, as published on the USPSTF Web site.] Select to access the abstract.

Also refer to article by Berkman et al. (J Clin Epidemiol, 2013) cited in Evidence-based Practice Centers (EPC)-Related Articles.

Evidence-based Practice Centers (EPC)-Related Articles

American Family Physician
Harmes KM, Blackwood RA, Burrows HL, et al. Otitis media: diagnosis and treatment. Am Fam Physician 2013 Oct 1; 88(7):435-40. [Uses AHRQ Evidence Report/Technology Assessment, Management of Acute Otitis Media: An Update, 2010, as a data source for the literature review.] Select to access the abstract.

American Journal of Managed Care
Fishman PA, Cook AJ, Anderson ML, et al. Improving BP control through electronic communications: an economic evaluation. Am J Manag Care 2013 Sep; 19(9):709-16. [Cites AHRQ Evidence Report/Technology Assessment, Barriers and Drivers of Health Information Technology Use for the Elderly, Chronically Ill, and Underserved, 2008.] Select to access the abstract.

Annals of Internal Medicine
Qaseem A, Holty JE, Owens DK, Dallas P, Starkey M, Shekelle P, for the Clinical Guidelines Committee of the American College of Physicians. Management of obstructive sleep apnea in adults: a clinical practice guideline from the American College of Physicians. Ann Intern Med 2013 Oct 1; 159(7):471-83. [Not yet fully indexed in PubMed. Based on AHRQ comparative effectiveness review, Diagnosis and Treatment of Obstructive Sleep Apnea in Adults, 2011, prepared by the Tufts EPC; uses methodologies from AHRQ publication, Methods Reference Guide for Effectiveness and Comparative Effectiveness Reviews, Version 1.0, 2010; sixth author reports receiving AHRQ grants.] Select to access the abstract.

Canadian Journal of Public Health
Kim E, Hoetmer SE, Li Y, et al. Relationship between intention to supplement with infant formula and breastfeeding duration. Can J Public Health 2013 Sep-Oct; 104(5):e388-e393. [Cites AHRQ Evidence Report/Technology Assessment, Breastfeeding and Maternal and Infant Health Outcomes in Developed Countries, 2007.] Select to access the abstract.

Infection Control and Hospital Epidemiology
Kiyoshi-Teo H, Krein SL, Saint S. Applying mindful evidence-based practice at the bedside: using catheter-associated urinary tract infection as a model. Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol 2013 Oct; 34(10):1099-101. [Cites AHRQ future research needs report, Future Research Needs for Comparative Effectiveness of Treatments for Localized Prostate Cancer: Identification of Future Research Needs from Comparative Effectiveness Review No. 13, 2010.]

JAMA Surgery
Hwabejire JO, Kaafarani HM, Imam AM, et al. Excessively long hospital stays after trauma are not related to the severity of illness: let's aim to the right target! JAMA Surg 2013 Oct; 148(10):956-61. [Cites AHRQ publication, Health Care Efficiency Measures: Identification, Categorization, and Evaluation: Final Report, 2008, prepared by the Southern California EPC and published on the AHRQ Web site.] Select to access the abstract.

Journal of Clinical Epidemiology
Thaler KJ, Morgan LC, Van Noord M, et al. A case study of pooled-studies publications indicated potential for both valuable information and bias. J Clin Epidemiol 2013 Oct;66(10):1082-92. [Uses/analyzes pooled-studies publications identified in AHRQ comparative effectiveness review, Second-Generation Antidepressants in the Pharmacologic Treatment of Adult Depression: an Update of the 2007 Comparative Effectiveness Review, 2011, as published on AHRQ's Effective Health Care Web site; uses methodologies from AHRQ-funded article by Chou et al. (J Clin Epidemiol, 2010) and AHRQ publication, Methods Guide for Effectiveness and Comparative Effectiveness Reviews, 2012, as published on AHRQ's Effective Health Care Web site.] Select to access the abstract.

Berkman ND, Lohr KN, Morgan LC, et al. Interrater reliability of grading strength of evidence varies with the complexity of the evidence in systematic reviews. J Clin Epidemiol 2013 Oct; 66(10):1105-17.e1.[Supported by contract HHSA 290-2007-10036-I to the RTI International EPC; uses data from AHRQ comparative effectiveness reviews Comparative Effectiveness of Second-Generation Antidepressants in the Pharmacologic Treatment of Adult Depression, 2007, and Comparative Effectiveness of Drug Therapy for Rheumatoid Arthritis and Psoriatic Arthritis in Adults, 2007; uses methodologies from AHRQ publication, Methods Guide for Effectiveness and Comparative Effectiveness Reviews, 2008 and 2012, as published on AHRQ's Effective Health Care Web site, and AHRQ-funded article by Owens et al. (J Clin Epidemiol, 2010); cites AHRQ Evidence Report/Technology Assessment summary, Systems to Rate the Strength of Scientific Evidence, 2002, and AHRQ methods research report, Reliability Testing of the AHRQ EPC Approach to Grading the Strength of Evidence in Comparative Effectiveness Reviews, 2012; cites USPSTF-sponsored article by Harris et al. (Am J Prev Med, 2001) on USPSTF methodologies.] Select to access the abstract.

Nursing Economic$
Brewer BB, Verran JA. Measuring nursing unit environments with four composite measures. Nurs Econ 2013 Sep-Oct;31(5):241-9. [Cites AHRQ-funded systematic review/meta-analysis by Kane et al. (Med Care, 2007), on the association of registered nurse staffing levels and patient outcomes; cites AHRQ-funded Institute of Medicine (IOM) reports, Crossing the Quality Chasm: A New Health System for the 21st Century, 2001, and Keeping Patients Safe: Transforming the Work Environment of Nurses, 2004.] Select to access the abstract.

Also refer to articles by Isidean and Franco (Am J Epidemiol, 2013) and Moyer et al. (Ann Intern Med, 2013) cited in U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF)-Related Articles.

Research by Others Using AHRQ Data or Products

American Family Physician
Cohen-Gadol AA, Bohnstedt BN. Recognition and evaluation of nontraumatic subarachnoid hemorrhage and ruptured cerebral aneurysm. Am Fam Physician 2013 Oct 1; 88(7):451-6. [Uses AHRQ's National Guideline Clearinghouse^TM (NGC) as a data source.] Select to access the abstract.

American Journal of Kidney Diseases
Sakhuja A, Schold JD, Kumar G, et al. Outcomes of patients receiving maintenance dialysis admitted over weekends. Am J Kidney Dis 2013 Oct; 62(4):763-70. [Uses 2005-2009 Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project (HCUP) Nationwide Inpatient Sample (NIS) data, citing Introduction to the HCUP Nationwide Inpatient Sample (NIS), 2010, as published on AHRQ's HCUP Web site; also uses the AHRQ-funded adaptation of the Charlson comorbidity index described in AHRQ-funded article by Deyo, Cherkin, and Ciol (J Clin Epidemiol, 1992).] Select to access the abstract.

American Journal of Managed Care
Haas LR, Takahashi PY, Shah ND, et al. Risk-stratification methods for identifying patients for care coordination. Am J Manag Care 2013 Sep; 19(9):725-32. [Uses comorbidity count methodologies based on AHRQ's Clinical Classifications Software (CCS), citing articles by Naessens et al. (Am J Manag Care, 2011) and Hwang et al. (Health Aff, 2001).] Select to access the abstract.

American Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology
Terry AR, Barker FG 2nd, Leffert L, et al. Neurofibromatosis type 1 and pregnancy complications: a population-based study. Am J Obstet Gynecol 2013 Jul; 209(1):46.e1-e8. [Uses 1998-2009 HCUP NIS data.] Select to access the abstract.

Archives of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine
Smith ML, Raab SS, Fernald DH, et al. Evaluating the connections between primary care practice and clinical laboratory testing: a review of the literature and call for laboratory involvement in the solutions. Arch Pathol Lab Med 2013 Jan; 137(1):120-5. [Uses AHRQ Advances in Patient Safety publications from prior AHRQ-funded studies to identify related articles not included in the databases searched; cites AHRQ fact sheet 20 Tips to Help Prevent Medical Errors.] Select to access the abstract.

Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology
James PD, Kaplan GG, Myers RP, et al. Decreasing mortality from acute biliary diseases that require endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography: a nationwide cohort study. Clin Gastroenterol Hepatol 2013 Oct 2. [Epub ahead of print. Uses 1998-2009 HCUP NIS data, citing HCUP Databases, 1998-2005, as published on AHRQ's HCUP Web site; also uses AHRQ's Elixhauser comorbidity measures (Elixhauser et al., Med Care, 1998).] Select to access the abstract.

Clinical Neurology and Neurosurgery
Pilitsis J, Atwater B, Warden D, et al. Outcomes in octogenarians with subdural hematomas. Clin Neurol Neurosurg 2013 Aug; 115(8):1429-32. [Uses 1998-2007 HCUP NIS data, citing Overview of the HCUP Nationwide Inpatient Sample (NIS), 1997-2007, as published on AHRQ's HCUP Web site; also uses AHRQ's Elixhauser comorbidity measures (Elixhauser et al., Med Care, 1998).] Select to access the abstract.

Infection Control and Hospital Epidemiology
Mehrotra P, Croft L, Day HR, et al. Effects of contact precautions on patient perception of care and satisfaction: a prospective cohort study. Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol 2013 Oct; 34(10):1087-93. [Uses AHRQ's HCAHPS survey and the AHRQ-funded adaptation of the Charlson comorbidity index described in AHRQ-funded article by Deyo, Cherkin, and Ciol (J Clin Epidemiol, 1992); summarizes findings from study by Gasink et al. (Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol, 2008) which uses HCAHPS.] Select to access the abstract.

Journal of the American Medical Informatics Association
Tabak YP, Sun X, Nunez CM, et al. Using electronic health record data to develop inpatient mortality predictive model: Acute Laboratory Risk of Mortality Score (ALaRMS). J Am Med Inform Assoc 2013 Oct 4. [Epub ahead of print. Uses AHRQ's Clinical Classifications Software (CCS), citing Comorbidity Software, Version 3.7, 2012, and Clinical Classifications Software  (CCS), 2013, both published on AHRQ's HCUP Web site.] Select to access the abstract.

Journal for Healthcare Quality
Zrelak PA, Utter GH, Tancredi DJ, et al. How accurate is the AHRQ Patient Safety Indicator for hospital-acquired pressure ulcer in a national sample of records? J Healthc Qual 2013 Oct 1. [Epub ahead of print. Uses AHRQ's Patient Safety Indicator (PSI for hospital-acquired pressure ulcer, citing Guide to Patient Safety Indicators, 2007, as published on AHRQ's Quality Indicators Web site; cites HCUP statistical brief, Hospitalizations Related to Pressure Ulcers Among Adults 18 Years and Older, 2006, as published on AHRQ's HCUP Web site, and several AHRQ-funded and other evaluative articles on AHRQ quality indicators.] Select to access the abstract.

Journal of Pediatrics
Hasegawa K, Tsugawa Y, Brown DF, et al. Childhood asthma hospitalizations in the United States, 2000-2009. J Pediatr 2013 Oct; 163(4):1127-33.e3. [Uses 2000-2009 HCUP Kids' Inpatient Database (KID) data, citing Overview of the HCUP Kids' Inpatient Database (KID), Kids' Inpatient Database Comparison Report, and KID-Related Reports, all published on AHRQ's HCUP Web site.] Select to access the abstract.

Journal of Trauma and Acute Care Surgery
Benns M, Carr B, Kallan MJ, et al. Benchmarking the incidence of organ failure after injury at trauma centers and nontrauma centers in the United States. J Trauma Acute Care Surg 2013 Sep; 75(3):426-31. [Uses 2006 HCUP NIS data and AHRQ's Elixhauser comorbidity measures (Elixhauser et al., Med Care, 1998).] Select to access the abstract.

Yoshihara H, Yoneoka D. Trends in the treatment for traumatic central cord syndrome without bone injury in the United States from 2000 to 2009. J Trauma Acute Care Surg 2013 Sep; 75(3):453-8. [uses 2000-2009 HCUP NIS data, citing Overview of the HCUP Nationwide Inpatient Sample (NIS),2004, as published on AHRQ's HCUP Web site.] Select to access the abstract.

Journal of Urology
Ghani KR, Sammon JD, Bhojani N, et al. Trends in percutaneous nephrolithotomy use and outcomes in the United States. J Urol 2013 Aug; 190(2):558-64. [Uses 1999-2009 HCUP NIS data and the AHRQ-funded adaptation of the Charlson comorbidity index described in AHRQ-funded article by Deyo, Cherkin, and Ciol (J Clin Epidemiol, 1992).] Select to access the abstract.

Ophthalmology
Wittenborn JS, Zhang X, Feagan CW, et al. The economic burden of vision loss and eye disorders among the United States population younger than 40 years. Ophthalmology 2013 Sep; 120(9):1728-35. [Uses 2003-2008 MEPS data.] Select to access the abstract.

Spine
Oglesby M, Fineberg SJ, Patel AA, Pelton MA, Singh K. The incidence and mortality of thromboembolic events in cervical spine surgery. Spine 2013 Jan 30. [Epub ahead of print. Uses 2002-2009 HCUP NIS data, citing Overview of the HCUP Nationwide Inpatient Sample (NIS), 2002-2009, as published on AHRQ's HCUP Web site.] Select to access the abstract.

Fineberg SJ, Oglesby M, Patel AA, et al. The incidence, risk factors, and mortality associated with aspiration in cervical spine surgery. Spine 2013 May 23. [Epub ahead of print. Uses 2002-2009 HCUP NIS data, citing Overview of the HCUP Nationwide Inpatient Sample (NIS), 2002-2009, as published on AHRQ's HCUP Web site.] Select to access the abstract.

Surgical Technologies International
Masoomi H, Nguyen NT, Stamos MJ, et al. Overview of outcomes of laparoscopic and open Roux-en-Y gastric bypass in the United States. Surg Technol Int 2012 Dec; 22:72-6. [Uses 2006-2008 HCUP NIS data.] Select to access the abstract.

Also refer to articles by Lebrun-Harris et al. (Health Serv Res, 2013) and Quigley et al. (Patient, 2013) cited in AHRQ-Funded/Authored Articles.