**AHRQ: HELPING ORGANIZATIONS INNOVATE AND ADOPT NEW IDEAS**

**[A Record of Accomplishment]{.underline}**

-   ***AHRQ supported a report on outcomes of gene-based diagnostic
    tests and treatments.***

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-   *Infrastructure to Monitor Utilization and Outcomes of Gene-based
    Applications: An Assessment* is a report on genetic testing that
    calls for the creation of improved public health surveillance
    databases and health information technologies to monitor the use of
    gene-based tests and their impact on patient outcomes.

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-   ***AHRQ produced evidence reports and technology assessments:***

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-   HER2/Neu testing in breast cancer or other solid tumors

-   Gene expression profiling tests in breast cancer

-   CYP450 testing prior to SSRI use in depression

-   HNPCC testing in colorectal cancer

-   Genomic testing in ovarian cancer

-   BRCA testing in breast or ovarian cancer

-   Screening for hereditary hemochromatosis

-   Horizon scans on genetic tests for cancer and non-cancer diseases

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-   ***AHRQ developed a guide for patient registries for studying
    outcomes in real world practice settings.***

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-   *Registries for Evaluating Patient Outcomes: A User\'s Guide* serves
    as a guide to the design, implementation, analysis, interpretation,
    and evaluation of the quality of a registry for understanding
    patient outcomes.

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-   **AHRQ designed pilot projects to answer effectiveness and safety
    questions concerning medical therapeutics.**

    -   Projects evaluating outcomes of diabetes and hypertension
        therapies using electronic medical records in ambulatory
        practice and in HMOs

-   ***AHRQ makes resources available to the public.*** Key examples
    include:

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-   Comparative Effectiveness Reviews, Technical Briefs, New Research
    Reports, and Translational Guides

-   Database of evidence-based clinical practice guidelines

-   Repository for evidence-based quality measures and measure sets

-   Innovative strategies and quality-related tools

**[Strategies for the Future]{.underline}**

-   **AHRQ will continue to support investments in genomics -- research
    in progress**

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-   Development of new computer-based Clinical Decision Support (CDS)
    tools for gene-based tests used in breast cancer

-   Case-control study to evaluate association of OCT genes with
    effectiveness of Metformin in diabetes

-   RCT to evaluate a gene-based dosing calculator for Warfarin

*(continued on back)*

-   **AHRQ will continue to develop *Registries for Evaluating Patient
    Outcomes: A User\'s Guide.***

    -   AHRQ is working to expand the User's Guide with new information
        gathered from recent publications and reported experiences
        encountered by researchers and other professionals who utilize
        registries for research. The updated User's Guide will also
        expound on selected topics in the original guide or add new
        topics that deserve further in-depth discussion. Examples of
        these topics include:

        -   Providing guidance to researchers and registry holders on
            ensuring the privacy and confidentiality of their data;

        -   Safety monitoring; and

        -   Variable concordance across registries.

**[Useful Resources]{.underline}**

-   ***The Effective Health Care Program*** is dedicated to facilitating
    decision-making by providing findings from high-quality research in
    formats for different audiences:
    [www.EffectiveHealthCare.ahrq.gov](http://www.EffectiveHealthCare.ahrq.gov/)

-   ***The National Guideline Clearinghouse*** is a public resource for
    evidence-based clinical practice guidelines:
    [www.ngc.gov]{.underline}

-   ***The National Quality Measures Clearinghouse*** is a public
    repository for evidence-based quality measures and measure sets:
    [www.qualitymeasures.ahrq.gov]{.underline}

-   ***The Health Care Innovations Exchange*** is a program designed to
    support health care professionals in sharing and adopting
    innovations that improve the delivery of care to patients. To find
    innovative strategies and quality-related tools, learn how to
    improve your organization's ability to innovate and adopt new ideas,
    and interact with innovators and adopters, visit
    [www.innovations.ahrq.gov](http://www.innovations.ahrq.gov/)

-   ***Contact Information*** for the Effective Health Care Program:

\(301\) 427-1502 or <EffectiveHealthCare@ahrq.hhs.gov>

-   ***AHRQ Website:*** [www.ahrq.gov]{.underline}