PBRN Master Contractors
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In December, 2006, AHRQ awarded 5-year contracts to 10 PBRNs (or consortia of networks) for the purpose of conducting rapid-cycle research leading to new knowledge and innovation or improved implementation of scientific evidence. PBRN Master Contractors are invited to compete for task orders issued by AHRQ on a wide range of topics related to improving the quality of primary care practice. The PBRN task orders are typically awarded within 3 months of AHRQ’s release of a solicitation, and the average project is completed within 18-24 months.
Ambulatory Care Outcomes Research Network (ACORN), a network of practices within the state of Virginia, supported by Virginia Commonwealth University. PI, Stephen Rothemich, MD
Electronic Primary Care Research Network (ePCRN), a consortium of nine PBRNs across the U.S., led by the University of Minnesota. PI, Kevin Peterson, MD
Iowa Research Network (IRENE), a PBRN affiliated with the University of Iowa. PI, Barcey Levy, MD, PhD
North Carolina Network Consortium (NCNC),a consortium of 5 PBRNs situated within the state of North Carolina and led by the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. PI, Philip Sloane, MD, MPH
Oklahoma Physicians Resource/Research Network (OKPRN), a regional network of practices in the state of Oklahoma, led by the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center. PI, James Mold, MD, MPH
Oregon Rural Practice-based Research Network (ORPRN), a PBRN of rural practices within the state of Oregon. PI, Lyle Fagnan, MD
Pediatric Research Consortium (PeRC), a PBRN led by researchers at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. PI, Louis Bell, MD
Practice Partner Research Network (PPRNet), a national PBRN with practices in 37 states, led by researchers at the Medical University of South Carolina. PI, Steven Ornstein, MD
Primary Care Multiethnic Network (PRIME Net), a consortium of five PBRNs with practices located in 11 states across the U.S., and led by the University of New Mexico. PI, Robert Williams, MD, MPH
State Networks of Colorado Ambulatory Practices and Partners (SNOCAP), a consortium of five PBRNs led by the University of Colorado at Denver. PI, David West, PhD
(1) Improving the Integration of Evidence-Based Clinical and Community Services to Support Healthy Behaviors
(Also see Task Order 18 below)
Purpose: to implement, evaluate and compare alternative strategies for improving the provision of health behavior-related services through primary care and to understand the organizational factors required to implement and disseminate those strategies. Task Order 18 was a follow-on contact to develop the tool in a downloadable self-contained module.
Awarded to: North Carolina Network Consortium (NCNC)
(2) The Use of Health Information Technology by Primary Care Practices to Support Self Care Management during a Pandemic Influenza Event
Purpose: to develop a model for using common health information technology components to support self care management by patients and to foster shelter in place during a pandemic influenza event.
Awarded to: Oklahoma Physicians Resource/Research Network (OKPRN)
(3) Understanding the Direct and Indirect Costs of Quality Measurement Data Collection and Reporting in Primary Care Practice
Purpose: to perform a sophisticated analysis of the direct and indirect costs associated with the collection and reporting of quality measurement data to external audiences incurred by primary care practices.
Awarded to: North Carolina Network Consortium (NCNC) and
State Networks of Colorado Ambulatory Practices and Partners (SNOCAP)
(4) Defining Barriers and Potential Solutions for Collecting and Reporting Quality Performance Measures in Primary Care Offices
Purpose: to report on the issues involved in supporting primary care practices in collecting and reporting quality measurement data.
Awarded to: Ambulatory Care Outcomes Research Network (ACORN)
(5) Assessing the Clinical Impact and Business Case for Nurse-based Care Management
Purpose: to evaluate the clinical and economic impact of implementing nurse-based care management for chronic diseases in primary care practices.
Awarded to: Oregon Rural Practice-Based Research Network (ORPRN)
(6) Developing a Health Literacy Universal Precautions Toolkit
Purpose: to assess the feasibility of adopting health literacy universal precautions and to develop a toolkit to assist adult and pediatric primary care practices to implement such precautions.
Awarded to: North Carolina Network Consortium (NCNC)
(7) Management of Obstructive Sleep Apnea by Primary Care Providers
Purpose: to document methods currently being used by primary care providers to diagnose and manage patients suspected of having obstructive sleep apnea.
Awarded to: Oklahoma Physicians Resource/Research Network (OKPRN)
(8) Pediatric Asthma Hospitalization and the Quality of Ambulatory Care
Purpose: to examine characteristics of office-based ambulatory care as well as patient factors that may be related to the hospitalization of children with asthma.
Awarded to: Pediatric Research Consortium (PeRC)
(9) Implementation and Evaluation of Standing Orders Using Health Information Technology
Purpose: to define best methods and strategies of introducing electronic standing orders into the workflow of EMR-equipped primary care practices.
Awarded: Practice Partner Research Network (PPR Net)
(10) Participation by Primary Care Practices in Health Information
Exchanges (HIE)
Purpose: to assess factors that influence the participation of small- and medium-sized primary care practices in community-wide electronic health information exchange initiatives.
Awarded to: Electronic Primary Care Research Network (ePCRN) and
State Networks of Colorado Ambulatory Practices and Partners (SNOCAP)
(11) Testing the Medical Office Survey on Patient Safety (SOPS)
Purpose: to conduct a large scale testing of AHRQ’s newly developed Medical Office Survey on Patient Safety, an instrument designed to assess the safety culture of each participating practice.
Awarded to: Oregon Rural Practice-Based Research Network (ORPRN)
(12) Management by Primary Care Clinicians of Patients Suspected of Having Community-Acquired, Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (CA-MRSA) Infections
Purpose: to identify and evaluate best methods and procedures for primary care practices to follow in managing patients with soft tissue infections suspected to be CA-MRSA.
Awarded to: Iowa Research Network (IRENE), North Carolina Network Consortium (NCNC), and State Networks of Colorado Ambulatory Practices and Partners (SNOCAP)
(13) Implementing Practice Coaching and the Chronic Care Model in Practices Serving Vulnerable Populations
Purpose: to test the use and impact of a toolkit and coaching manual for chronic care management within primary care practices that serve vulnerable populations.
Awarded to: Electronic Primary Care Research Network (ePCRN)
(14) Exploring Ways to Improve Efficiency in Primary Care
Purpose: to characterize commonly observed types of inefficiency waste in primary care practices and examine activities, including process redesign techniques, intended to reduce waste in primary care practices.
Awarded to: State Networks of Colorado Ambulatory Practices and Partners (SNOCAP)
(15) Assessing the Impact of the Patient-Centered Medical Home (PCMH)
Purpose: to conduct a retrospective evaluation analysis of economic and quality outcomes associated with mature primary care, patient-centered medical home practices.
Awarded to: Electronic Primary Care Research Network (ePCRN) and State Networks of Colorado Ambulatory Practices and Partners (SNOCAP)
(16) Reducing Inappropriate Prescribing of Antibiotics by Primary Care Clinicians
Purpose: to identify and test new methods for decreasing the contribution of primary care clinicians to the emergence in communities of antimicrobial-resistant bacteria.
Awarded to: North Carolina Network Consortium (NCNC), Pediatric Research Consortium (PeRC), Practice Partner Research Network (PPR Net), and State Networks of Colorado Ambulatory Practices and Partners (SNOCAP)
(17) Using Health Information Technology to Improve Healthcare Quality In Primary Care Practices and in Transitions between Care Settings
Purpose: to identify and assess best methods of implementing in primary care practices either new or established (but underutilized) application of health information technology to (1) improve health care decision-making; (2) support patient-centered care, including the coordination of care across transitions in care settings; or (3) improve the quality and safety of medication management.
Awarded to: Ambulatory Care Outcomes Research Network (ACORN), Oklahoma Physicians Resource/Research Network (OKPRN), Pediatric Research Consortium (PeRC), and Primary Care Multiethnic Network (PRIME Net)
(18) Expansion of the PBRN "Stay-at-Home Influenza Toolkit"
(Also see Task Order 1 above)
Purpose: to implement, evaluate and compare alternative strategies for improving the provision of health behavior-related services through primary care and to understand the organizational factors required to implement and disseminate those strategies. Task Order 18 was a follow-on contact to develop the tool in a downloadable self-contained module.
Awarded to: North Carolina Network Consortium (NCNC)
(19) Connecting Primary Care Practices with Hard to Reach Adolescent Populations
Purpose: The purpose of this task order is to identify and test one or more innovative technological strategies aimed at improving health care-related communications between primary care practices and adolescent (10-17 years of age) patients served by the practice.
Awarded to: State Networks of Colorado Ambulatory Practices and Partners (SNOCAP)
(20) Integration Primary Care Practices and Community -based Programs to Manage Obesity
Purpose: The purpose of this task order is to promote innovative efforts to improve the management of obese patients in primary care.
Awarded to: State Networks of Colorado Ambulatory Practices and Partners (SNOCAP), Oklahoma Physicians Resource/Research Network (OKPRN), Oregon Rural Practice-Based Research Network (ORPRN).
(21) Demonstration of Health Literacy Universal Precautions Toolkit
Awarded to: State Networks of Colorado Ambulatory Practices and Partners (SNOCAP)
Item last published on 05/01/12
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