AHRQ EPC Methods Report: Characterising research evidence needs of hospitals and healthcare systems in the US

Article type
Authors
Umsheid C1, Lavenberg J1, Schoelles K2, Robertson D2, Peterson K3, Christensen V3, Guise J4
1University of Pennsylvania
2ECRI Institute
3Veteran's Health Administration Evidence Synthesis Project
4Scientific Resource Center for the AHRQ Effective Health Care Program
Abstract
Background: Decision makers in hospitals and healthcare systems use research evidence to inform decision making, but little is known about these research evidence needs.

Objectives: The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) Evidence-based Practice Center (EPC) programme sought to characterise the research evidence needs of hospital and healthcare system decision makers in the US to ensure that production of evidence syntheses aligns with decision-makers’ needs.

Methods: We examined evidence reviews produced by three US-based healthcare organisations:

• ECRI Institute, which offers a health technology assessment information subscription service (HTAIS);
• the Veteran’s Health Administration’s Evidence-based Synthesis Program (VHA ESP), providing evidence for the largest integrated health care system in the US;
• Penn Medicine Center for Evidence-based Practice (CEP), serving an academic healthcare system.

Evidence review characteristics examined included: requestor types, report types, clinical specialties and technology classes examined, and other characteristics including synthesis methods and dissemination approaches.

Results: ECRI’s HTAIS received 700 requests in 2016, 307 (44%) of which came from hospitals or health systems in the US (median 4.5 hospitals per system, range 1 to 34). Of the hospitals, 20% were rural, 27% had