Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality

The 2024 Society of General Internal Medicine Annual Meeting is May 15-18 in Boston. Come say hello to AHRQ at Booth 206, we’re excited to discuss research into internal medicine, share insights, and explore the latest advancements in healthcare and policy. We look forward to seeing you there! #SGIM2024

A systematic review from AHRQ's Effective Health Care Program on Healthcare Delivery of Clinical Preventive Services for People with Disabilities is open for public comment thought May 17. Limited evidence from three clinical trials found various educational and health advocacy interventions to be associated with increased rates of breast and cervical cancer screening among women with physical disabilities, cognitive/intellectual/developmental disabilities, and serious mental illness. More research is needed on barriers and facilitators to the receipt of clinical preventive services among people with disabilities. Learn more. #HealthServicesResearch https://bit.ly/49R8vo8

Registration is open for a webinar on May 21 from noon to 1 p.m. ET to highlight recent activities of the National Action Alliance for Patient and Workforce Safety. The upcoming webinar topic is "Understanding and Operationalizing the National Action Alliance Aim #1: Advance Organizational Safety Strategies Using National Action Plan Foundations." Among other topics, webinar speakers will discuss the purpose, use and impact of performing safety self-assessments to improve patient and workforce safety. Presenters will include: Patricia McGaffigan, R.N., M.S., vice president, Institute for Healthcare Improvement; Kelly Randall, Ph.D., vice president of patient safety and regulatory, Ascension; and Melinda Sawyer, Dr.PH, M.S.N., R.N., vice president, chief quality and patient safety officer, United Health Group. #PatientSafety https://lnkd.in/gKWrn97x

A new statistical brief from AHRQ's Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project (HCUP) has found that the number of sepsis-related inpatient stays in the United States increased by 20.1 percent between 2016 and 2019. During the COVID-19 pandemic, it increased an additional 16.5 percent, reaching 2.5 million stays in 2021. This is just one significant finding in this brief - discover trends in patient outcomes and the impact sepsis had on older adults, mothers, and children. #PatientCare https://lnkd.in/eBaswSyN

During National Women's Health Week, AHRQ applauds the work of grantee Xiao Xu, Ph.D., who is dedicated to researching strategies for high-quality, high-value care to improve patient outcomes. Her innovative research is enhancing the effectiveness of healthcare delivery for women, driving advancements in patient care. Celebrate her achievements with us! #NWHW https://lnkd.in/eXAy3mxr

A new report from AHRQ’s National Center for Excellence in Primary Care Research highlights AHRQ’s investments in #PrimaryCare research—research that plays a key role in revitalizing the nation’s primary care system. Of the $220 million spent in FY 2021 and FY 2022, nearly half focused on digital healthcare (48 percent) and practice and quality improvement (44 percent). More than one-fourth focused on person-centered care (29 percent), healthcare systems/infrastructure (28 percent), and health equity (26 percent). In total, AHRQ funded 128 grants and cooperative agreements across 66 institutions in 30 states, and 12 contracts with 9 organizations. The goal of these continuing investments is to identify and encourage the use of strategies to improve primary care delivery. https://bit.ly/4dBIcW9

AHRQ's latest issue brief delves into the impact of cognitive load on diagnostic safety. This essential resource explores how mental strain can affect clinical decision-making and offers strategies to minimize errors. It's a must-read for healthcare professionals committed to enhancing diagnostic accuracy and patient safety. Explore the full brief here. #PatientCare https://bit.ly/4aicOce

The COVID-19 pandemic impacted rural hospitals more significantly than those in urban settings, according to two studies using data from AHRQ's Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project (HCUP). One study, published in Health Affairs, revealed that 35 percent of rural hospitals experienced more than 20 percent increases or decreases in the daily #patient volume during the pandemic, compared with just 13 percent of urban hospitals. Rural hospitals that were most impacted were likely to be small-sized, or owned by State or local governments, or classified as critical access hospitals. https://lnkd.in/eDFaAEKC

#FlashbackFriday: On May 23, 2016, #AHRQ released the CANDOR Toolkit. The Communication and Optimal Resolution (CANDOR) process teaches hospital and health system leaders how to have honest communication with patients and families when something goes wrong with their care. AHRQ’s toolkit includes resources such as notes, slides, and videos, and is backed by research from the agency's $23 million Patient Safety and Medical Liability grant initiative that began in 2009. https://bit.ly/4bkE0IG

Registration is open for a webinar on May 21 from noon to 1:00 p.m. ET to highlight progress made by the AHRQ National Action Alliance for Patient and Workforce Safety. The topic is “Understanding and Operationalizing the National Action Alliance Aim 1: Advance Organizational Safety Strategies Using National Action Plan Foundations.” #PatientSafety https://bit.ly/3JVNuy8