The effectiveness of audit and feedback as a quality improvement strategy in residential aged care: a systematic review protocol

Abstract

Review question/objective The objective of this systematic review is to synthesize the best available evidence for the effectiveness of audit and feedback as a quality improvement strategy. More specifically, the objectives are to identify: 1. What characteristics contribute to an effective audit and feedback cycle in aged care. 2. Whether audit and feedback is an effective quality improvement strategy for improving health outcomes for older people in residential aged care facilities. 3. What the most effective feedback mechanisms as part of an audit and feedback cycle in implementing practice change are. Inclusion criteria Types of participants This review will consider studies that include people aged 65 years or older in nursing homes, long-term care and/or residential aged care. Types of intervention(s)/phenomena of interest This review will consider studies that evaluate the effect of (i) audit and feedback or clinical audit alone and (ii) audit and feedback or clinical audit and feedback combined with other interventions as an initial review of available studies indicate that there are limited or no studies that have evaluated the impact of audit and feedback as the sole intervention. Audit and feedback will review the system and process utilized within the audit whilst other interventions will relate to how feedback was provided. The review will consider the system and processes use to develop the audit tool and the outcome of the interventions used to provide feedback. Types of outcomes This review will consider studies that have evaluated the impact on clinical outcome (quality indicators/measures): such as but not limited to behaviors of concern, chemical or physical restraint, end of life, falls and pain.