Using Implementation Science to Facilitate Evidence-Based Practice Changes to Promote Optimal Outcomes for Orthopaedic Patients

Abstract

Implementation Science is a relatively new field that focuses on discovering strategies to reduce the gap between research and practice. The revised Promoting Action on Research Implementation in Health Services (PARIHS) framework was used to evaluate implementation of an evidence-based project that was designed to reduce the impact of delirium on hospitalized, older, orthopaedic patients. Interventions used in the pilot project were compared with the core elements of the PARIHS framework: evidence, context, facilitation, and successful implementation. Strategies to improve hospital-wide adoption of the evidence-based delirium prevention and treatment protocols centered on providing adequate and appropriate resources and clarifying roles. Specific recommendations to promote hospital-wide adoption and maintenance included enhancing training and improving integration of the assessments and protocols into overall workflow.