Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality

Between 2019 and 2022, health systems in the top 25 percent of telemedicine users experienced a more than 2 percent increase in the number of outpatient visits and an annual decrease of more than 14 non-COVID emergency department visits per every 1,000 patients, according to an AHRQ-funded study in Health Affairs. To help inform an ongoing debate on continued federal coverage of #telehealth services, researchers examined the relationship between telemedicine services and patient care utilization, care cost, and care quality. Researchers conclude that given the small improvements in access and quality combined with modest increases in spending along with patients' and clinicians' preferences, it would be difficult to restrict telemedicine payment in Medicare. Access the abstract. https://lnkd.in/eyNJQRW2

Every time you donate blood, you're providing someone with a second chance at life. Your generosity helps keep our nation’s blood supply stable and ensures that patients in need can overcome health setbacks and spend more time with their loved ones. Learn why blood donation is so important and find a donation center near you today. Together, we can make a life-saving difference. #GivingEqualsLiving https://bit.ly/3WJ7km3

Join us for an #AHRQ virtual workshop on the MEPS database. The workshop will provide basic knowledge of Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS) and an opportunity to construct data files for beginner and experienced users alike. The structure of the 3-day workshop is to introduce MEPS topics in a lecture format on the first day and half of the second day. It will also include lectures on MEPS topics and interactive sessions in SAS, STATA and R. Researchers with an interest in national health surveys can register now. #research https://bit.ly/3nAcSx1

Registration is open for an AHRQ webinar on September 11 from 3 to 4 p.m. ET. Members of the National Integration Academy Council (NIAC) will discuss the evolution of behavioral health integration (BHI) and its increasing emergence as the standard of care. The panel will review the current state of BHI in #PrimaryCare, provide an overview of its history, and discuss the future of integration. The NIAC has served as the technical expert panel for AHRQ's Academy for Integrating Behavioral Health and Primary Care since its founding in 2010. Learn more about the Academy and register: https://bit.ly/3WWxDXn

Three new data files from AHRQ's Compendium of U.S. Health Systems - a product of AHRQ's Comparative Health System Performance Initiative - are now available to provide researchers, policymakers, and others with a comprehensive, first-time view of the U.S. healthcare landscape: (1) The outpatient site linkage file provides data on more than 283,000 outpatient sites in 2022, including information on practice type, specialty, and size. It indicates whether sites are located in medically underserved or health professional shortage areas. (2) The nursing home linkage file includes 2020-2022 data on nearly 15,000 nursing homes, including information on location, system affiliation, and ownership. (3) The home health care linkage file provides 2020-2022 data on healthcare, home dialysis, and home hospice providers. It includes information on location and ownership for nearly 13,000 home healthcare organizations. #research https://lnkd.in/gP4vktcJ

August is Immunization Awareness Month, and AHRQ underscores the critical role of vaccines in preventing disease and promoting public health. We support healthcare providers with evidence-based resources to enhance immunization rates and educate communities. Let's unite to uphold the health of our nation through the power of vaccines. #NIAM2024

released a draft systematic review on treatments for disruptive behavior disorders in children and adolescents. Findings show that multicomponent psychosocial interventions outperform usual care in reducing disruptive behaviors in preschool and school-age children post-treatment, while evidence on stimulants and antipsychotics is limited. The draft is open for public comment until September 30th. Explore the findings and share your input. #MentalHealth https://bit.ly/4fW14jM

#AHRQ is seeking scientific information to inform our review on "Environmental, Clinical and Economic Outcomes of Hospital Resources to Prevent Hospital-Acquired Infections," which is currently being conducted by AHRQ's Evidence-based Practice Centers (EPC) Program. Access to published and unpublished pertinent scientific information will improve the quality of this review. Submission deadline is on or before September 12, 2024. #research https://bit.ly/4fKYIUv

Every time you donate blood, you're providing someone with a second chance at life. Your generosity helps keep our nation’s blood supply stable and ensures that patients in need can overcome health setbacks and spend more time with their loved ones. Learn why blood donation is so important and find a donation center near you today. Together, we can make a life-saving difference. #GivingEqualsLiving https://bit.ly/3WJ7km3

Join us for an #AHRQ virtual workshop on the MEPS database. The workshop will provide basic knowledge of Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS) and an opportunity to construct data files for beginner and experienced users alike. The structure of the 3-day workshop is to introduce MEPS topics in a lecture format on the first day and half of the second day. It will also include lectures on MEPS topics and interactive sessions in SAS, STATA and R. Researchers with an interest in national health surveys can register now. #research https://bit.ly/3nAcSx1