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Research Activities

September 2012, No. 385


Contents

About Research Activities

Feature Story

AHRQ-funded medical liability and patient safety initiative shows promise for reducing patient harm, lawsuits, and costs
From the Director

Patient Safety and Quality

A five-point checklist can help public report sponsors avoid misclassifying the performance of health care providers
Hospital volume does not predict mortality for patients undergoing lung cancer surgery
Distance-based training in spirometry use increases the quality of asthma diagnosis

Chronic Disease

Opioid prescriptions for treating chronic abdominal pain doubled between 1997 and 2008
Response to etanercept for rheumatoid arthritis can be predicted by 12 weeks
About three-fourths of patients in the United States estimated to remain in HIV care

Health Care Costs and Financing

The financial burden from prescription drugs has declined for the nonelderly, but remains a problem for some groups
Differences in the costs of drugs prescribed lead to regional variation in Medicare Part D drug spending

Elderly Health and Long-Term Care

Studies link adverse drug interactions to elevated risk for hospitalization among the elderly
Conventional and atypical antipsychotic drugs show differing safety risks among older nursing home residents
Several factors influence completion of chemotherapy in elderly patients with stage-III colon cancer

Adolescent/Child Health

No link found between stimulant treatment of youth with ADHD and cardiovascular problems
Pediatric visits for ADHD have risen and the condition is increasingly being managed by psychiatrists
Study fails to find link between guideline-based emergency treatment for pediatric asthma and patient outcomes

Health Information Technology

Parental reports more accurate than electronic health records in documenting child diet and exercise counseling
Telemedicine dermatology consultations change diagnoses and improve outcomes
Drug interaction decision support software has limitations and pharmacists' knowledge of support features is limited

Disparities/Minority Health

Despite more widespread prescribing of antiretroviral therapy for HIV infection, disparities remain
Minority-serving hospitals have problems with quality of care and patient satisfaction
Radionovela promotes awareness and knowledge of cervical cancer vaccine among Hispanic parents

Comparative Effectiveness

Increased fluid and supplemental treatments may reduce recurrence of kidney stones

Agency News and Notes

Clinician and patient resources now available on ADHD treatment options

Announcements

New AHRQ handbook helps practices implement interactive preventive health records
AHRQ releases training modules to help improve the safety of nursing home residents

Research Briefs

Research Briefs

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AHRQ Publication No. 12-RA012
Current as of September 2012


Internet Citation:

Research Activities Newsletter. September 2012, No. 385. AHRQ Publication No. 12-RA012. Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, Rockville, MD. http://www.ahrq.gov/research/sep12/index.html


 

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