AHRQ-Related Articles, April 17, 2015

Neurosurgical Focus
Zygourakis CC, Oh T, Sun MZ, Barani I, Kahn JG, et al. Surgery is cost-effective treatment for young patients with vestibular schwannomas: decision tree modeling of surgery, radiation, and observation. Neurosurg Focus 2014 Nov; 37(5):E8. [Discusses findings from article by Sonig et al. (Neurosurg Focus, 2012), which uses 2005-2009 Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project (HCUP) Nationwide Inpatient Sample (NIS) data.] Select to access the abstract.

Pediatrics
Schondelmeyer AC, Simmons JM, Statile AM, Hofacer KE, Smith R, et al. Using quality improvement to reduce continuous pulse oximetry use in children with wheezing. Pediatrics 2015 Apr; 135(4):e1044-51. [Cites HCUP Kids' Inpatient Database (KID) data on asthma and bronchiolitis admissions and charges.] Select to access the abstract.

Schuster MA. Measuring quality of pediatric care: where we've been and where we're going. Pediatrics 2015 Apr; 135(4):748-51. [Briefly describes AHRQ's Pediatric Quality Measures Program; cites AHRQ publication, Disparities in Healthcare Quality among Racial and Ethnic Groups: Selected Findings from the 2011 National Healthcare Quality and Disparities Report, 2011, and AHRQ-funded Institute of Medicine report, Crossing the Quality Chasm: A New Health System for the 21st Century, 2001.] Select to access the abstract.