Evidence-Based Practice Centers
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Evidence-Based Practice Centers (EPCs) are a network of academic and research institutions commissioned by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) to produce evidence reports and technology assessments for healthcare decision-making.
Mission
The mission of the EPCs is to translate research into practice by synthesizing scientific evidence that can inform healthcare decisions. This includes producing systematic reviews, evidence reports, and technology assessments to support clinical practice guidelines, policy formulation, and to identify areas needing further research to improve patient outcomes and healthcare delivery.
Parent organization
The EPCs are overseen by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ), which is part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. AHRQ's mission includes supporting research to improve the quality, safety, efficiency, and effectiveness of health care.
Legislation
EPCs were established under the initiative of AHRQ and do not have a specific legislative act; however, AHRQ's mandate comes from the Public Health Service Act.
Partners
EPCs collaborate with various entities but are not formally listed as having specific partners. Their work often involves cooperation with:
- Academic institutions
- Healthcare providers
- Policy makers
Number of employees
The number of employees varies as EPCs are located at multiple centers, and staffing is specific to each institution.
Organization structure
EPCs are decentralized with each center having its own structure.
Common divisions
- Research Division conducts systematic reviews.
- Methodology Unit focuses on developing and refining review methods.
- Dissemination Office handles the distribution of findings.
Centers
- Brown University Evidence-based Practice Center
- Website: https://www.brown.edu/research/projects/evidence-based-medicine/center-evidence-synthesis-health/
- Focus: Comparative effectiveness reviews, evidence reports, technology assessments in healthcare.
- Address: Box G-S121-8, Providence, RI 02912
- ECRI Institute-Penn Medicine Evidence-based Practice Center
- Website: https://www.ecri.org/
- Focus: Conducts systematic reviews and technology assessments, focusing on health technology assessment.
- Address: 5200 Butler Pike, Plymouth Meeting, PA 19462
- Johns Hopkins University Evidence-based Practice Center
- Website: https://www.jhsph.edu/research/centers-and-institutes/johns-hopkins-evidence-based-practice-center/
- Focus: Systematic reviews on clinical effectiveness, policy, and public health issues.
- Address: 624 N. Broadway, Room 680A, Baltimore, MD 21205
- Kaiser Permanente Evidence-based Practice Center
- Website: https://www.kpchr.org/
- Focus: Reviews on preventive, diagnostic, and therapeutic interventions with an emphasis on primary care.
- Address: 3800 N. Interstate Ave, Portland, OR 97227
- Mayo Clinic Evidence-based Practice Center
- Website: https://www.mayo.edu/research/centers-programs/center-evidence-based-medicine
- Focus: Evidence synthesis on a broad range of health care topics, particularly those relevant to patient care.
- Address: 200 First St. SW, Rochester, MN 55905
- Minnesota Evidence-based Practice Center
- Website: https://www.health.state.mn.us/data/epc/
- Focus: Reviews focused on health care delivery, organization, and financing issues.
- Address: 85 7th Place East, Suite 300, St. Paul, MN 55101
- Pacific Northwest Evidence-based Practice Center
- Website: https://www.ohsu.edu/evidence-based-practice-center
- Focus: Reviews on clinical prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and health services research.
- Address: 3181 SW Sam Jackson Park Road, Portland, OR 97239
- RTI International-University of North Carolina Evidence-based Practice Center
- Website: https://www.rti.org/
- Focus: Produces evidence reviews on topics related to clinical care, health services, and public health.
- Address: 3040 Cornwallis Road, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709
- Southern California Evidence-based Practice Center
- Website: https://www.randsoutherncal.org/epc/
- Focus: Evidence synthesis in areas like behavioral health, chronic disease management, and health disparities.
- Address: 1776 Main Street, Santa Monica, CA 90401
List of programs
- Systematic Reviews
- Technology Assessments
- Evidence Reports
- Methodology Research
Last total enacted budget
Specific budgets for individual EPCs are not publicly disclosed; they are funded through AHRQ's budget.
Leader
Leadership varies by center, typically headed by a Director.
Services provided
EPCs conduct evidence synthesis projects, which include systematic reviews, technology assessments, and other types of reports that evaluate the effectiveness of health care interventions. These services help in informing healthcare policy, improving patient care, and guiding future research directions.
Regulations overseen
EPCs do not oversee regulations but help inform the creation of guidelines and policies by providing evidence-based information.
Headquarters address
The AHRQ headquarters, which oversees the EPCs, is at 5600 Fishers Lane, Rockville, MD 20857.
Website
https://effectivehealthcare.ahrq.gov/
Wikipedia article
There is no direct Wikipedia article for EPCs; see wikipedia:Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality for related information.