Systematic Evidence Review
Prepared for:
Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
2101 East Jefferson Street
Rockville, MD 20852
http://www.ahrq.gov/
Submitted by:
RTI International
3040 Cornwallis Road
P.O. Box 12194
Research Triangle Park, North Carolina 27709
Contract No. 290-97-0011
Task No. 3
RTI Project No. 6919-003
Malaz Boustani, MD, MPH
Britt Peterson, MD, MPH
Russell Harris, MD, MPH
Linda J. Lux, MPA
Carol Krasnov
Sonya F. Sutton, BSPH
Laura Hanson, MD, MPH
Kathleen N. Lohr, PhD
June 2003
This report may be used, in whole or in part, as the basis for development of
clinical practice guidelines and other quality enhancement tools, or a basis for
reimbursement and coverage policies. AHRQ or U.S. Department of Health and Human
Services endorsement of such derivative products may not be stated or implied.
AHRQ is the lead Federal agency charged with supporting research designed to improve
the quality of health care, reduce its cost, address patient safety and medical
errors, and broaden access to essential services. AHRQ sponsors and conducts
research that provides evidence-based information on health care outcomes; quality;
and cost, use, and access. The information helps health care decisionmakers—patients
and clinicians, health system leaders, and policymakers—make more informed decisions
and improve the quality of health care services.
Systematic Evidence Review
Prepared for:
Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
2101 East Jefferson Street
Rockville, MD 20852
http://www.ahrq.gov/
Submitted by:
RTI International
3040 Cornwallis Road
P.O. Box 12194
Research Triangle Park, North Carolina 27709
Contract No. 290-97-0011
Task No. 3
RTI Project No. 6919-003
Malaz Boustani, MD, MPH
Britt Peterson, MD, MPH
Russell Harris, MD, MPH
Linda J. Lux, MPA
Carol Krasnov
Sonya F. Sutton, BSPH
Laura Hanson, MD, MPH
Kathleen N. Lohr, PhD
June 2003
This report may be used, in whole or in part, as the basis for development of
clinical practice guidelines and other quality enhancement tools, or a basis for
reimbursement and coverage policies. AHRQ or U.S. Department of Health and Human
Services endorsement of such derivative products may not be stated or implied.
AHRQ is the lead Federal agency charged with supporting research designed to improve
the quality of health care, reduce its cost, address patient safety and medical
errors, and broaden access to essential services. AHRQ sponsors and conducts
research that provides evidence-based information on health care outcomes; quality;
and cost, use, and access. The information helps health care decisionmakers—patients
and clinicians, health system leaders, and policymakers—make more informed decisions
and improve the quality of health care services.
