January 14, 2025, Issue #944 Editor’s note: AHRQ News Now will not publish next week. Our next issue will publish Jan. 28. AHRQ Stats: Median Length of Stay With an HAI Diagnosis
Among hospital inpatient stays without COVID-19 in 2021, the median length of stay with a healthcare-associated infection (HAI) was up to six times as long as stays without an HAI. Patients with cardiovascular disorders faced the greatest disparity, with stays lasting an average of 19 days with an HAI compared to an average of just three days without. (Source: AHRQ Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project Statistical Brief #313, Prevalence and Burden of Healthcare-Associated Infections (HAIs), 2016-2021.) Today's Headlines: Affordable Care Act Boosts Individual Health Insurance Enrollment and Stability A new AHRQ study published in Health Affairs Scholar highlights how the Affordable Care Act strengthened the role of individual health insurance in the United States. In the study, researchers reviewed data from AHRQ’s Medical Expenditure Panel Survey and found that since the law’s implementation in 2014, the percentage of nonelderly adults with individual coverage has doubled, with nearly all the increase coming from those who were previously uninsured. In states that did not expand Medicaid, long-term individual coverage grew by 80 percent. The study also found that short-term individual coverage remained rare, indicating that the ACA primarily supported longer-lasting coverage. Access the abstract.
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Jennifer Anger, M.D., M.P.H., a professor and vice chair of research in the Department of Urology at UC San Diego Health, has dedicated her career to improving the quality of care for underserved patients, particularly those who have developed a temporary or chronic loss of bladder control resulting in involuntary urine leak or urinary incontinence (UI). Over 25 million American adults experience UI, a condition that is two times as common in women as men. Various factors drive the development of UI, including the stresses of pregnancy and childbirth and the hormonal changes of menopause. Access Dr. Anger’s profile and the profiles of other AHRQ grantees.
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Most patient question guides focus on the later stages of diagnosis, such as treatment plans and outcomes, rather than critical early steps when diagnostic errors often occur, according to an AHRQ-funded review. Publishing in the Journal of Patient Safety, researchers analyzed more than 5,500 questions from 235 resources and found that most came from nonacademic sources and included around 23 questions per list. However, they found that these prompts rarely emphasized questions that could clarify symptoms or identify potential misdiagnoses early in the process. The authors said their study underscores the importance of empowering patients to ask relevant questions throughout the entire diagnostic process, not just at the end. They called for new, easy-to-use tools to help patients engage in their care and improve safety during diagnosis. Access the study. New Insights on Treating Genitourinary Syndrome of Menopause Three articles based on an AHRQ evidence review explored both hormonal and nonhormonal treatment options for genitourinary syndrome of menopause, a condition affecting women during and after menopause. The research concluded: - Vaginal estrogen, vaginal DHEA (dehydroepiandrosterone, a hormone produced by the adrenal glands), oral ospemifene and vaginal moisturizers may provide short-term relief from genitourinary syndrome of menopause symptoms. Limited evidence supported other treatments, such as lasers or testosterone. Access the abstract in the Annals of Internal Medicine.
- A review of complementary and alternative medicine for genitourinary syndrome of menopause found that while many options are being explored, most studies are small and inconclusive. Access the abstract in the Annals of Internal Medicine.
- An assessment of the benefits and harms of energy-based therapies (e.g., CO2 laser, Er:YAG laser and radiofrequency) for genitourinary syndrome of menopause found little to no difference in outcomes compared with sham treatments or vaginal estrogen. Access the abstract in Menopause.
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| Registration is open for a webinar on Feb. 10 from 1 to 2 p.m. ET to highlight AHRQ evidence reports on advancing patient safety in key areas:
The webinar will be sponsored by AHRQ’s Patent Safety Network (PSNet), which provides access to patient safety resources, toolkits, opportunities for continuing education and trainings. The evidence reports are part of the agency’s Making Healthcare Safer Reports, a series developed to support patient safety improvement efforts across healthcare systems.
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AHRQ’s Patient Safety Network (PSNet) highlights journal articles, books and tools related to patient safety. Articles featured this week include:
Review additional new publications in PSNet’s current issue, including recent cases and commentaries and AHRQ’s WebM&M (Morbidity and Mortality Rounds on the Web). AHRQ Recruiting Participants in Program To Advance Diagnostic Excellence A new diagnostic safety improvement program is recruiting healthcare organizations to use and evaluate AHRQ resources including Calibrate Dx, Measure Dx and the Toolkit for Engaging Patients in Diagnostic Safety. Organizations that participate in AHRQ’s Implementing Diagnostic Excellence Across Systems (IDEAS) project will receive support and training to implement sustainable improvement. Continuing education credits and American Board of Medical Specialties Maintenance of Certification points will be available. Learn more, including how to participate in the project and register for a Jan. 16 webinar. Send questions to IDEASproject@rand.org. AHRQ Seeks Input on Measures of Diagnostic Excellence A Request for Information published by AHRQ requests public comments by Feb. 13 on the development of measures of diagnostic excellence that may be calculated using administrative data or electronic health record data. The purpose of diagnostic excellence measurement is to identify potential opportunities to improve the diagnostic process at a health system or geographic level. AHRQ welcomes comments on the importance and usability of existing measures and those that may be under development. Submit comments to qisupport@ahrq.hhs.gov with the subject line “Diagnostic Excellence Measurement.” Toolkit Designed To Increase Climate Resilience in Healthcare A new HHS toolkit provides evidence-based recommendations to increase healthcare organizations’ resilience to climate-related disasters and extreme weather events. Extreme weather events exacerbated by climate change can stress healthcare systems by damaging buildings, transportation infrastructure, power grids and supply chains. The Climate Resilience for Health Care Toolkit (CR4HC) includes case studies that illustrate real-world applications of recommended actions, plus links to additional tools and resources. New Research and Evidence From AHRQ |
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