Potentially Avoidable Hospitalizations for COPD and Pneumonia: The Role of Physician and Practice Characteristics.

Ann S. O'Malley, MD, MPH; Hoangmai H. Pham, MD, MPH; Deborah Schrag, MD, MPH; Beny Wu, MS; Peter B. Bach, MD, MAPP
Medical Care. 45(6):562-570, June 2007.
Abstract HTML PDF (739 K)

Nurse Working Conditions and Patient Safety Outcomes.

Patricia W. Stone, PhD; Cathy Mooney-Kane, MPH; Elaine L. Larson, PhD; Teresa Horan, MPH; Laurent G. Glance, MD; Jack Zwanziger, PhD; Andrew W. Dick, PhD
Medical Care. 45(6):571-578, June 2007.
Abstract HTML PDF (410 K)

AHRQ - Health Care Report Card Compendium

http://www.talkingquality.gov/compendium/

The Health Care Report Card Compendium from Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) is a searchable directory of over 200 samples of report cards produced by a variety of organizations.

The samples show formats and approaches for providing comparative information on the quality of health plans, hospitals, medical groups, individual physicians, nursing homes, and other providers of care.

press release

Combining Multiple Indicators of Clinical Quality: An Evaluation of Different Analytic Approaches.

David Reeves, PhD; Stephen M. Campbell, PhD; John Adams, PhD; Paul G. Shekelle, MD, PhD; Evan Kontopantelis, PhD; Martin O. Roland, DM
Medical Care. 45(6):489-496, June 2007.
Abstract HTML PDF (287 K)

Quality of Care in Hospitals with a High Percent of Medicaid Patients.

L Elizabeth Goldman, MD, MCR; Eric Vittinghoff, PhD; R Adams Dudley, MD, MBA
Medical Care. 45(6):480-488, June 2007.
Abstract HTML PDF (397 K)

AHRQ - Registries for Evaluating Patient Outcomes: A User's Guide

Gliklich RE, Dreyer NA, eds.

Prepared by Outcome DEcIDE Center

The purpose of this handbook co-funded by AHRQ and HHS' Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is to serve as a reference for establishing, maintaining, and evaluating the success of registries created to collect data about patient outcomes. This book is divided into three sections: Creating, Operating, and Evaluating Registries.

"A patient registry is a database of confidential patient information that can be analyzed to understand and compare the outcomes and safety of health care.

The data may originate from multiple sources, including hospitals, pharmacy systems, physician practices, and insurance companies. Some registries include patients who have the same disease. Others are comprised of patients who have undergone a common surgical procedure or received a newly approved medication. " Press release

Registry Report home page

View the full HTML report

Open the Final Research Report (4M)

Open the summary version (1.1MB)

HCUP - Adverse Drug Events in US Hospitals, 2004.

Elixhauser A, Owens P.
HCUP Statistical Brief #29.
Rockville, MD: Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality;
April 2007.

pdf

Use of administrative data or clinical databases as predictors of risk of death in hospital: comparison of models

Paul Aylin, Alex Bottle, Azeem Majeed
BMJ 2007;334:1044
[Abstract] [Full text] [PDF]

Editorial

The value of administrative databases
Mohammed A Mohammed, Andrew Stevens
BMJ 2007;334:1014-1015,
[Extract] [Full text] [PDF]

Improving Quality Assessment through Multilevel Modeling: The Case of Nursing Home Compare

Greg Arling, Teresa Lewis, Robert L. Kane, Christine Mueller, Shannon Flood
Health Services Research 42 (2007) (3p1), 1177–1199.

Abstract References Full Text HTML Full Text PDF (194 KB)

Using hierarchical models to attribute sources of variation in consumer assessments of health care

Alan M. Zaslavsky
Statistics in Medicine Volume 26, Issue 8 , Pages 1885 - 1900

Abstract References PDF

Webcast of the International Forum on Quality and Safety in Health Care

http://barcelona.bmj.com/

This site allows you to watch the plenary sessions and discussions of the International Forum on Quality and Safety in Health Care. Barcelona - April 18th, 19th & 20th 2007

Forum Introduction Video

Can healthcare ever be safe?

Plenary 1: Donald Berwick Panel Discussion 1

What the quality movement can learn from other social movements

Plenary 2: Richard Smith Panel Discussion 2

When things go wrong: communicating about adverse events

Plenary 3: Lucian Leape, Linda Kenney Panel Discussion 3

WHO - Nine Patient Safety Solutions

The complete Patient Safety Solutions

The World Health Organization (WHO) launched nine patient safety solutions to reduce the toll of health care-related harm affecting patients worldwide.

Patient Safety Solutions are defined as: "Any system design or intervention that has demonstrated the abilityto prevent or mitigate patient harm stemming from the processes of health care."

Patient Safety Solutions Preamble (PDF)

1. Look-Alike, Sound-Alike Medication Names (PDF)

2. Patient Identification (PDF)

3. Communication During Patient Hand-Overs (PDF)

4. Performance of Correct Procedure at Correct Body Site (PDF)

5. Control of Concentrated Electrolyte Solutions (PDF)

6. Assuring Medication Accuracy at Transitions in Care (PDF)

7. Avoiding Catheter and Tubing Mis-Connections (PDF)

8. Single Use of Injection Devices (PDF)

9. Improved Hand Hygiene to Prevent Health Care-Associated Infection (HAI) (PDF)

View All Patient Safety Solutions Preamble and Nine Solutions (PDF)

Media:
News Release: Announcing WHO Collaborating Centre for Patient Safety Releases Nine Life-Saving Patient Safety Solutions

News Release Audio Recording: Nine Life-Saving Patient Safety Solutions


WHO: Patient safety

Webstream download link

AHRQs National Healthcare Quality and Disparities Reports: An Ever-Expanding Road Map for Improvement

Jeffrey Brady, Karen Ho, Edward Kelley, Carolyn M. Clancy
Health Services Research 42 (2007) (3p1), xi–xxi.

Summary References Full Text HTML Full Text PDF (69 KB)

Hospital Workload and Adverse Events.

Joel S. Weissman, PhD; Jeffrey M. Rothschild, MD, MPH; Eran Bendavid, MD; Peter Sprivulis, MBBS, PhD, Facem, FACHI; E Francis Cook, ScD; R Scott Evans, PhD; Yevgenia Kaganova, PhD; Melissa Bender, MD; JoAnn David-Kasdan, RN, MS; Peter Haug, MD; Jim Lloyd, BS; Leslie G. Selbovitz, MD; Harvey J. Murff, MD, MPH; David W. Bates, MD, MSc

Medical Care. 45(5):448-455, May 2007
Abstract HTML PDF (293 K)

The evaluation of health care outcomes and hospital performance indicators

[Article in French]
Chouaid C, Hejblum G, Guidet B, Valleron AJ.
Rev Mal Respir. 2006 Sep;23(4 Suppl):13S87-98.

Pubmed

Risk adjustment for inter-hospital comparison of primary cesarean section rates: need, validity and parsimony.

Fantini MP, Stivanello E, Frammartino B, Barone AP, Fusco D, Dallolio L, Cacciari P, Perucci CA.

BMC Health Serv Res. 2006 Aug 15;6:100.

[Abstract] [Full text] [PDF] [PubMed] [Related articles]

J Manag Care Pharm - Pay for Performance: Where’s the Return?

Volume 13 Issue 2 CE Supplement B March (pdf)

Smith AL.
Merging P4P and disease management: how do you know which one is working?
J Manag Care Pharm. 2007 Mar;13(2 Suppl B):S7-10.
Pubmed

O'Kane ME.
Performance-based measures: the early results are in.
J Manag Care Pharm. 2007 Mar;13(2 Suppl B):S3-6.
Pubmed

Properties of analysis methods that account for clustering in volume-outcome studies when the primary predictor is cluster size

Katherine S. Panageas, Deborah Schrag, A. Russell Localio, E. S. Venkatraman, Colin B. Begg
Statistics in Medicine Volume 26, Issue 9 , Pages 2017 - 2035

Abstract References PDF

How important is continuity of care?

Sudhakar-Krishnan, Vidya, Rudolf, Mary C J
Arch Dis Child 2007 92: 381-383

[Extract] [Full text] [PDF]

Telemonitoring or structured telephone support programmes for patients with chronic heart failure: systematic review and meta-analysis

Robyn A Clark, Sally C Inglis, Finlay A McAlister, John G F Cleland, Simon Stewart
BMJ 2007;334:942, doi:10.1136/bmj.39156.536968.55
[Abstract] [Abridged PDF] [Full text] [PDF] [extra: References]

Editorial

Telephone interventions for disease management in heart failure
Hugo O Grancelli, Daniel C Ferrante
BMJ 2007;334:910-911, doi:10.1136/bmj.39197.577442.80
[Extract] [Full text] [PDF]

The American College of Surgeons’ Closed Claims Study: New Insights for Improving Care

Griffen FD, Stephens LS, Alexander JB, Bailey HR, Maizel SE, Sutton BH, Posner KL
Journal of the American College of Surgeons Volume 204, Issue 4, (April 2007) pages 561-569
Abstract Full Text Full-Text PDF (112 KB)

Patterns of Communication Breakdowns Resulting in Injury to Surgical Patients

Greenberg CC, Regenbogen SE, Studdert DM, Lipsitz SR, Rogers SO, Zinner MJ, Gawande AA

Journal of the American College of Surgeons- 2007 04 (Vol. 204, Issue 4) pages 533-540

Abstract Full Text Full-Text PDF (122 KB)

Expanded Surgical Time Out: A Key to Real-Time Data Collection and Quality Improvement

Altpeter T, Luckhardt K, Lewis JN, Harken AH, Polk Jr HC
Journal of the American College of Surgeons- 2007 04 (Vol. 204, Issue 4) pages 527-532
Abstract Full Text Full-Text PDF (92 KB)

Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS)

Medical Care May 2007, Volume 45, Issue 5 Suppl 1

Developing the Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS).
Deborah N. Ader, PhD
HTML PDF (86 K)

The Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS): Progress of an NIH Roadmap Cooperative Group During its First Two Years.
David Cella, PhD; Susan Yount, PhD; Nan Rothrock, PhD; Richard Gershon, PhD; Karon Cook, PhD; Bryce Reeve, PhD; Deborah Ader, PhD; James F. Fries, MD; Bonnie Bruce, DrPH, MPH, RD; Mattias Rose, MD; on behalf of the PROMIS Cooperative Group
Abstract HTML PDF (515 K)

Evaluation of Item Candidates: The PROMIS Qualitative Item Review.
Darren A. DeWalt, MD, MPH; Nan Rothrock, PhD; Susan Yount, PhD; Arthur A. Stone, PhD; on behalf of the PROMIS Cooperative Group
Abstract HTML PDF (352 K)

Psychometric Evaluation and Calibration of Health-Related Quality of Life Item Banks: Plans for the Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS).
Bryce B. Reeve; Ron D. Hays; Jakob B. Bjorner; Karon F. Cook; Paul K. Crane; Jeanne A. Teresi; David Thissen; Dennis A. Revicki; David J. Weiss; Ronald K. Hambleton; Honghu Liu; Richard Gershon; Steven P. Reise; Jin-shei Lai; David Cella; on behalf of the PROMIS Cooperative Group
Abstract HTML PDF (392 K)

Item Response Theory Analyses of Physical Functioning Items in the Medical Outcomes Study.
Ron D. Hays, PhD; Honghu Liu, PhD; Karen Spritzer, BS; David Cella, PhD
Abstract HTML PDF (908 K)

Practical Issues in the Application of Item Response Theory: A Demonstration Using Items From the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory (PedsQL) 4.0 Generic Core Scales.
Cheryl D. Hill, PhD; Michael C. Edwards, PhD; David Thissen, PhD; Michelle M. Langer, MA; R J. Wirth, MA; Tasha M. Burwinkle, PhD; James W. Varni, PhD
Abstract HTML PDF (516 K)

Considerations for Developing Interfaces for Collecting Patient-Reported Outcomes That Allow the Inclusion of Individuals With Disabilities.
Mark Harniss, PhD; Dagmar Amtmann, PhD; Debbie Cook, BS; Kurt Johnson, PhD
Abstract HTML PDF (257 K)

Enhancing Compliance With Medicare Guidelines for Surgical Infection Prevention

Experience With a Cross-disciplinary Quality Improvement Team
Laurence E. McCahill; John W. Ahern; Linda A. Gruppi; James Limanek; Gail A. Dion; Jessica A. Sussman; Christina B. McCaffrey; Diane B. Leary; Margaret B. Lesage; Richard M. Single
Arch Surg. 2007;142:355-361.

ABSTRACT FULL TEXT PDF

Quality Assessment in High-Acuity Surgery: Volume and Mortality Are Not Enough

Charles M. Vollmer, Jr; Wande Pratt; Tsafrir Vanounou; Shishir K. Maithel; Mark P. Callery
Arch Surg 2007 142: 371-380

ABSTRACT FULL TEXT PDF

Mistake-Proofing the Design of Health Care Processes.

www.ahrq.gov/qual/mistakeproof/

Grout JR. AHRQ Publication No. 07-P0020, May 2007.

This new report from Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) is a synthesis of practical examples from the real world of health care on the use of process or design features to prevent medical errors or the negative impact of errors.

It contains over 150 examples of mistake-proofing that can be applied in health care—and in many cases relatively inexpensively.

PDF File (1.6 MB).

Improving emergency department efficiency by patient streaming to outcomes-based teams.

Kelly AM, Bryant M, Cox L, Jolley D.
Aust Health Rev. 2007 Feb;31(1):16-21.

Pubmed

A synthesis of the secondary literature on effectiveness of hospital avoidance and discharge programs.

Kumar S, Grimmer-Somers K.
Aust Health Rev. 2007 Feb;31(1):34-48.

Pubmed

Implementing Pay-for-Performance in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit

Profit, Jochen, Zupancic, John A. F., Gould, Jeffrey B., Petersen, Laura A.
Pediatrics 2007 119: 975-982
[Abstract] [Full text] [PDF]

Cost-benefit analysis of a hospital pharmacy bar code solution.

Maviglia SM, Yoo JY, Franz C, Featherstone E, Churchill W, Bates DW, Gandhi TK, Poon EG.
Arch Intern Med. 2007 Apr 23;167(8):788-94.

ABSTRACT FULL TEXT PDF

The Ethics of Using Quality Improvement Methods in Health Care

J. Lynn, M. A. Baily, M. Bottrell, B. Jennings, R. J. Levine, F. Davidoff, D. Casarett, J. Corrigan, E. Fox, M. K. Wynia, G. J. Agich, M. O'Kane, T. Speroff, P. Schyve, P. Batalden, S. Tunis, N. Berlinger, L. Cronenwett, J. M. Fitzmaurice, N. N. Dubler and B. James

Ann Intern Med 2007; 666-673.
Abstract Full Text PDF


Editorial

Quality Improvement and Ethical Oversight
C. Grady
Ann Intern Med 2007; 680-681.
Full Text PDF

Introduction to risk adjustment methods in comparative evaluation of outcomes

Introduzione ai metodi di risk adjustment nella valutazione comparativa degli esiti.
[Article in Italian]
Arca M, Fusco D, Barone AP, Perucci CA.
Epidemiol Prev. 2006 Jul-Oct;30(4-5 Suppl):5-47.

pubmed