Faculty in PRC are involved in a wide variety of projects related to health outcomes research. The list below provides just a few examples of the types of projects in which our faculty have participated.
Cost Study of Linezolid versus Vancomycin among Hospitalized Patients (2011)
The purpose of this study is to build upon prior analyses comparing Linezolid versus Vancomycin for patients treated for infections. A decision analytic model of antibiotic therapy based on data from 2 administrative claims datasets (e.g., IMS/PharMetrics and Healthcore) will be developed. Whereas prior focus was on repeat hospitalizations among patients hospitalized for infections, this study will perform a cost-effectiveness analysis (CEA) using actual reimbursed (i.e., paid) amounts.
Benchmarking Psychopharmacological Medication Quality in Medicare Beneficiaries Residing in Long-term Care Facilities (2011)
This study plans to define Psychopharmacological Medication Quality Indicators and to describe the medication quality indicators' adherence patterns among Medicare beneficiaries residing in long-term care.
Evaluation of the Maryland Multi-Payer Patient Centered Medical Home Program (2011)
Maryland passed legislation in 2010, establishing the Maryland Multipayer Patient Centered Medical Home Program. This evaluation will assess whether this patient-centered medical home program improves health care quality, health outcomes, and reduces the cost of care. This project will utilize multiple data sources such as claims, interviews and medical records.
ICU Acquired Conditions and Their Impact on Predicted Mortality and Length of stay (2011)
This study examined the impact of several ICU-acquired (not present in the first 48 hours of admission) conditions, including hypotension, tachycardia, hypernatremia, hyperglycemia, hypoglycemia, on the severity-adjusted mortality and LOS as predicted at ICU admission by APACHE IV methodology.
Effect of Etomidate on ICU Mortality in Sepsis (2011)
The study goals included: (1) to compare hospital mortality between patients intubated with etomidate to those intubated using other medications in a large cohort of patients with sepsis, severe sepsis or septic shock who are intubated in the ICU; and (2) to describe the natural history of medication selection for intubation in the ICU (most importantly, the proportion of etomidate usage).