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Editor’s Note: ������ƵNews Now will not publish next week. Our next issue will publish Jan. 28.

������ƵStats: 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: ������ƵHealthcare Cost and Utilization Project Statistical Brief #313,  [PDF, 1 MB].)

Today's Headlines:

• Affordable Care Act Boosts Individual Health Insurance Enrollment and Stability.
• ������ƵGrantee Profile Highlights Work of Jennifer Anger To Provide Quality Urinary Incontinence Care.
• Study Highlights Gaps in Questions That Could Enhance Diagnostic Safety.
• New Insights on Treating Genitourinary Syndrome of Menopause.
• Register Now: Feb. 10 Webinar Will Highlight Evidence on Advancing Rapid Response Systems and Opioid Stewardship.
• Highlights From ������’s Patient Safety Network.
• ������ƵRecruiting Participants in Program To Advance Diagnostic Excellence.
• ������ƵSeeks Input on Measures of Diagnostic Excellence.
• New Research and Evidence From AHRQ.
• ������Ƶin the Professional Literature.

Affordable Care Act Boosts Individual Health Insurance Enrollment and Stability

A new ������Ƶstudy 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 ������’s 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 .

������ƵGrantee Profile Highlights Work of Jennifer Anger To Provide Quality Urinary Incontinence Care

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 ������Ƶgrantees.

Study Highlights Gaps in Questions That Could Enhance Diagnostic Safety

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 .

New Insights on Treating Genitourinary Syndrome of Menopause

Three articles based on an 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 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 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 in Menopause.

Register Now: Feb. 10 Webinar Will Highlight Evidence on Advancing Rapid Response Systems and Opioid Stewardship

is open for a webinar on Feb. 10 from 1 to 2 p.m. ET to highlight ������Ƶevidence reports on advancing patient safety in key areas:

• reviews rapid response systems’ impacts on patient safety and clinical outcomes, and ways rapid response systems can be implemented effectively.
• explores the use of prescribed and ordered opioids, including strategies for using these medications effectively and their unintended consequences.

The webinar will be sponsored by ������’s , 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.

Highlights From ������’s Patient Safety Network

������’s highlights journal articles, books and tools related to patient safety. Articles featured this week include:

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Review additional new publications in PSNet’s , including recent cases and commentaries and ������’s WebM&M (Morbidity and Mortality Rounds on the Web).

������ƵRecruiting Participants in Program To Advance Diagnostic Excellence

A new diagnostic safety improvement program is recruiting healthcare organizations to use and evaluate ������Ƶresources including Calibrate Dx, Measure Dx and the Toolkit for Engaging Patients in Diagnostic Safety. Organizations that participate in ������’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 . Send questions to IDEASproject@rand.org.

������ƵSeeks Input on Measures of Diagnostic Excellence

A published by ������Ƶrequests 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. ������Ƶwelcomes 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.”

New Research and Evidence From AHRQ

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������Ƶin the Professional Literature

Comparative analysis of machine learning versus traditional method for early detection of parental depression symptoms in the NICU. Sadjadpour F, Hosseinichimeh N, Abedi V, et al. Front Public Health 2024 May 28;12:1380034. Access the on PubMed®.

The high prevalence and complexity of over-the-counter medication misuse in older adults. Chladek JS, Gilson AM, Stone JA, et al. Innov Aging 2024 Sep 10;8(10):igae083. Access the on PubMed®.

Precision emergency medicine. Strehlow M, Alvarez A, Blomkalns AL, et al. Acad Emerg Med 2024 Nov;31(11):1150-64. Epub 2024 Jun 28. Access the on PubMed®.

Use of pulmonary rehabilitation after chronic obstructive pulmonary disease hospitalization: an analysis of statewide patient and hospital data. Fu WW, Hassett KP, Labaki WW, et al. Ann Am Thorac Soc 2024 Dec;21(12):1698-1705. Access the on PubMed®.

Facilitators and barriers to integrating patient-generated blood pressure data into primary care EHR workflows. Canfield SM, Koopman RJ. Appl Clin Inform 2024 Oct;15(5):942-51. Epub 2024 Nov 13. Access the on PubMed®.

Community-acquired pneumonia diagnosis following emergency department visits for respiratory illness. Geanacopoulos AT, Amirault JP, Michelson KA, et al. Clin Pediatr 2025 Jan;64(1):83-90. Epub 2024 May 17. Access the on PubMed®.

Children with chronic health conditions and social needs: investigating outcomes to drive health system improvements. McKenna KJ, Fiori KP, Chambers EC. Clin Pediatr 2024 Dec;63(12):1698-1707. Epub 2024 Mar 30. Access the on PubMed®.

A randomized-controlled pilot trial of telemedicine-delivered cognitive-behavioral therapy tailored for interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome. McKernan LC, McGonigle T, Vandekar SN, et al. Pain 2024 Aug;165(8):1748-60. Epub 2024 Feb 27. Access the on PubMed®.