PPRNet Completed Research
Other Completed Research:
Coxibs and Blood Pressure
PPRNet participated in a study funded by Pharmacia, “The Effects of Vioxx® (Rofecoxib)
and Celebrex® (Celecoxib) on Ambulatory Care Patients' Blood Pressure.” The goal
of the study was to compare the effects of Rofecoxib and Celecoxib on blood
pressure and other outcomes in a PPRNet practices
Adherence with Recommended Preventive Services in the Primary Care Practices of
the Practice Partner Research Network
This study described the preventive services that are monitored in PPRNet
primary care practices and measures patient adherence with USPSTF
recommendations.
This study has been published:
Preventive Services in the Primary Care Practices of the Practice Partner
Research Network.
Topics in Health Information Management
2000; 20(3):80-84
Electronic Medical Records
The Impact of Electronic Medical Records on Primary Care Practice
The purpose of this study was to examine the organizational and economical
impact of electronic medical records on community-based, primary care practice.
Six PPRNet practices that had converted from paper records to electronic medical
records within the past five years participated. The final report was a
narrative description and an analysis of themes that emerged. Included were
similarities and differences in perspectives between different user groups and
different sites regarding changes that occurred in practice that may be
attributed to the electronic medical record. The report included changes in
costs associated with maintaining paper versus electronic medical record
systems, while controlling for patient volume, inflation, and changes in
reimbursement rates over time. The study findings were important in furthering
our understanding of how electronic medical records have changed physician
practice through the perspectives of experienced users.
This study has been published:
Wager KA, Lee FW, White AW, Ward DM, Ornstein SA. Impact of an Electronic
Medical Record System on Community-Based Primary Care Practices. J Am Board Fam
Pract 2000;13:338-48
Quality Improvement
Quality of Care for Asthma, Coronary Disease, Diabetes Mellitus and Hypertension
in the Practice Partner Research Network
The purpose of this study was to study adherence with practice guidelines for
chronic disease PPRNet practices. The focus was on adherence to quality
indicators for asthma, coronary disease (CHD), diabetes mellitus (DM), and
hypertensive in the fourth quarter of 1997.
This study has been published:
Ornstein SM, Jenkins RG: Quality of Care for Chronic Illness in Primary Care:
Opportunity for Improvement in Process and Outcome Measures.
The American Journal of Managed Care.
1999; 5(5):621-627
Congestive Heart Failure
Congestive Heart Failure in the Practice Partner Research Network
Collaborators:
Douglas Smucker, MD, Steven Ornstein, MD, Ruth Jenkins, MS.
This study was conducted by Dr. Smucker, from the Department of Family Medicine
at the University of Cincinnati. Dr. Smucker used PPRNet data to study the
epidemiology of congestive heart failure in patients > 50 years of age.
Respiratory Illness
Antibiotics for Upper Respiratory Infections: Follow-up Utilization and
Antibiotic Use
Collaborators:
William J. Hueston, M.D., Arch G. Mainous III, Ph.D., Steven Ornstein, M.D.,
Ruth G. Jenkins, M.S., Qin Pan, M.S.
This study assessed the impact of antibiotic prescribing during an intial visit
for viral respiratory infections on future care seeking and the cost of care.
Patients who received antibiotics at the index visit were slightly less likely
to return for a follow-up visit (15.4% vs. 17.4%). Those who received
antibiotics on the first visit were prescribed more expensive antibiotics in
follow-up. The cost of intial antibiotic use outweighed any benefit from reduced
utilization.
This study has been published:
Arch Fam Med. 1999; 8:426-430
Collaborators:
William J. Hueston, M.D., Steven Ornstein, M.D., Ruth G. Jenkins, M.S., Qin Pan,
M.S., and Jeffery Wulfman, M.D.
The purpose of this study was to examine if the use of a second-line drug
resulted in fewer treatment failures in a recurrent otitis episode following an
episode of otitis media resistant to first-line antibiotics. 343 patients with
an otitis media episode more than 90 days after an episode of resistant otitis
media were selected for study. Of this group, 236 (69%) received first line
antibiotics (amoxicillin, ampicillin, penicillin or sulfa-trimethoprim) and 107
(31%) received a second line antibiotic. The primary outcome was the need for an
additional antibiotic for otitis media within the next 45 days. Failure rates
for first and second line antibiotics in recurrent episodes were not
significantly different (13% vs. 18%, p=0.20). We concluded that for a new
otitis media episode in a patient with a previous resistant otitis, amoxicillin
or sulfa-trimethoprim are just as effective as broader spectrum, more expensive
antibiotics.
This study has been published:
The Journal of Family Practice. 1999; 48(1):43-46
EMR Use
PPRNet Members Use of CPR Systems in Practice
This study describes the use of CPR systems among PPRNet physician practices and
highlights the many advantages realized by system users. In general, the PPRNet
member practices viewed their use of the PMSI computer-based patient record as
very positive, particularly in improving the overall quality of the patient
record and as a tool in providing patient care. |