Follow-up Audit Research Articles

Post-discharge telephone follow-up calls to patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease by primary care nurses: a best practice implementation project.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a complex health problem, with important repercussions for patients and their families. Interventions need to be improved to prevent exacerbations and reduce high readmission and mortality rates. Evidence suggests that including a telephone follow-up (TFU) call in discharge plans could improve outcomes in patients with a chronic disease. This project aimed to improve how primary care nurses in Gran Canaria, Spain, followed up COPD patients after hospital discharge. This project was guided by the JBI Evidence Implementation Framework, which includes the JBI Practical Application of Clinical Evidence System (PACES) and the Getting Research into Practice (GRiP) method. The JBI approach uses audit, feedback, and re-audit to promote evidence-based health care. A baseline audit was conducted to compare current practices against best practices. Five barriers to best practices were identified and improvement strategies were developed. The follow-up audit revealed 100% compliance for Criteria 1 and 2, which related to COPD patients having a discharge plan and that plan including TFU. There was a 4.88% improvement for both Criteria 3 and 4, which involved the TFU being prompt and using a validated clinical questionnaire. Following project implementation, the 30-day readmission rate increased from 2.78% to 4.88% but the 30-day emergency room presentation rate decreased from 25% to 9.76%. The practice changes were partly achieved, but further strategies are needed to achieve full compliance. Educational programs are necessary when conducting improvement projects. Chances of success increase when decisions about hospital discharge involve both the hospital and the primary care service. http://links.lww.com/IJEBH/A296.

Integration of the aSSKINg framework into the electronic patient record: a quality improvement project.

Assessment of pressure ulcer (PU) risk is important in clinical practice and the need to document it in the patient's record is paramount. Despite national and international guidelines highlighting the need to document PU risk, nursing documentation remains variable. The first article in this series discussed the evidence base underpinning the development of clinical guidelines for PUs, alongside the creation of bundle approach for PU prevention. The second article presented the results of a clinical audit exploring compliance against a PU prevention bundle (aSSKINg framework) in an adult community nursing setting in the South East of England. This final article in the series presents the results of a quality improvement project that involved a clinical audit following the implementation of the aSSKINg framework into the electronic patient record (EPR). The aim was to improve nursing documentation for patients with PU risk. The clinical audit was conducted in two parts, with a pilot phase running between 6 February 2023 and 15 April 2023. After the template implementation into the EPR, a follow-up audit was undertaken between 1 November 2023 and 31 January 2024. Overall compliance against the aSSKINg framework improved, especially the completion of the PURPOSE-T on the first visit, full skin assessment and repositioning advice. Following the pilot phase, the aSSKINg template was rolled out in a phased approach to the adult community nursing, enhanced care home matrons and urgent community response teams.

Nutrition as therapy - the role of dietitian counseling: a best practice implementation project.

The objective of this best practice implementation project was to improve dieticians' professional practice and dietary care through the use of counseling strategies. Improving the design and implementation of evidence-based practice depends on successful behavior change interventions. This requires an appropriate method for designing the interventions and then analyzing the targeted behavior. Behavior change techniques (BCTs) have been demonstrated to improve the patient-dietitian relationship and patient treatment outcomes. This evidence-based quality improvement project used the JBI Evidence Implementation Framework to identify gaps in clinical practice and barriers to changing practice. We recruited 20 dietitians and conducted a baseline audit to determine their level of knowledge of BCTs, the extent to which they applied BCTs in their practice, and barriers to using BCTs. To address the identified barriers, a 5-hour training session was conducted by a dietitian with psychological training. A follow-up audit was then conducted to measure improvements in compliance with best practice. The baseline audit revealed that 80% of participants used some of the targeted counseling strategies. The most common barriers were lack of guidance on the use of BCTs or insufficient knowledge of BCTs. The follow-up audit revealed that 93% of participants used some counseling strategies, representing a 13% improvement from baseline. Applying BCTs is a challenge in dietary practice. The results indicate that education about these techniques is needed. As the next step, we suggest disseminating the relevant recommendations among dietitians in Poland and providing education about the use of these methods. http://links.lww.com/IJEBH/A289.

Pain assessment and management in patients with dementia in Taiwan: a best practice implementation project.

The lack of a consistent and effective assessment tool for older adults with dementia in home care in Taiwan, and the inability of home care nurses to provide pharmacological and non-pharmacological pain management, may affect the quality of life of patients with dementia. The aim of this project was to promote evidence-based practices for pain assessment and management of patients with dementia living in the community. The project followed the JBI Evidence-based Healthcare Model and the seven-phase JBI Evidence Implementation Framework. Eight audit criteria were used, representing best practice recommendations. Through a Getting Research into Practice (GRiP) analysis, we identified three barriers to changing practice and implemented improvement strategies. A follow-up audit was conducted to measure changes in compliance. This project was conducted in five home care institutions. Fourteen home care nurses and 109 patients with dementia participated in the project. The follow-up audit showed that compliance rates had improved significantly. Specifically, the compliance rate increased from 14.29%, 1.83%, 1.83% to 100% for Criteria 1-3, respectively. For Criteria 4-8, compliance increased from 0% to 100%. In addition, the average score of the home care nurses' perceptions of pain care for patients with dementia increased from 44.29 points before the intervention to 82.86 points, and all 14 home care nurses achieved a score of 100 points in the Objective Structured Clinical Examination scenario-based exercises, which was a good learning outcome. Leadership, knowledge-sharing, learning-by-doing teaching strategies, and open communication were key factors in the successful implementation of this study. http://links.lww.com/IJEBH/A294.

Quality Management in Spanish Community Pharmacy: Implementation of ISO 9001.

Spanish community pharmacy has been incorporating some methods and approaches in the evaluation and improvement of quality, with the ISO 9001 standard being the most used reference. The experience of a community pharmacy in Spain is presented. The pharmacy implemented a management system based on the ISO 9001 standard in 2020, using the Deming cycle with the aim of enhancing the quality of pharmaceutical care. The results obtained in the processes over the following 2 years are also presented. The ISO 9001 standard was reviewed to ensure compliance. The Quality Management System control documentation was updated and included the following documents: quality manual, process map, operational processes and procedures, quality indicators and incident records. The pharmacy has planned and implemented a process of monitoring, measurement, analysis of results and continuous improvement for operational, strategic and support processes during the time period of the study. The main operational processes were associated with a set of indicators which permitted to know the results obtained, analyse deviations and implement improvements. The planning and development of the project encompassed approximately 1 year and involved several key stages: (1) diagnosis and assessment of quality situation, (2) analysis of processes, (3) preparation of documentation, (4) implementation of the Quality Management System, (5) internal audit, (6) monitoring of activities and continuous improvement, (7) follow-up audit by the certifying body, (8) obtaining the ISO 9001:2015 quality certificate. The planned schedule was adhered and the documents were successfully drafted. In total, eight operational processes, nine support processes and six strategic processes were reviewed and included in the Quality Management System. Twenty indicators were established to monitor and analyse the performance of these processes. During audits, deviations in the system or nonconformances were identified and analysed. In the first year of system implementation, five nonconformances were identified, decreasing to two in the subsequent two periods. In 2020, three improvement actions were implemented with the objective of: (1) implementing a medication reconciliation service, (2) developing a medication dose adjustment service for polymedicated patients, and (3) implementing a service to measure and improve inhalation technique in patients using inhalers. The implementation of a methodology based on the ISO 9001 standard has facilitated: (1) Integrating process management as a regular working methodology, (2) A focus on the continuous improvement of services, (3) Achieving recognition of the staff efforts and involvement.

Cross-disciplinary advance care planning in oncology and palliative care amidst a pandemic: a best practice implementation project.

Advance care planning (ACP) ensures that patients receive medical care aligned with their values, goals, and preferences, especially regarding end-of-life decisions in serious chronic illnesses. This project aimed to introduce and promote evidence-based ACP in oncology and palliative care at a midsized hospital near Berlin, Germany, during the COVID-19 pandemic. This project was guided by the JBI Evidence Implementation Framework and used a mixed methods audit cycle. A baseline audit was conducted using qualitative interviews and workshops with representatives from all the health care disciplines involved in oncology and palliative care at the hospital. The findings were compared with eight best practice recommendations. Targeted strategies aimed at the key stakeholders involved in ACP practice were then implemented. Finally, a semi-quantitative questionnaire was used in a follow-up audit with the same participants as in the baseline audit. The baseline audit revealed a high level of familiarity with the concept of ACP. However, there was a lack of a uniformly accepted definition and understanding of ACP among the health care professionals, leading to a lack of coordination in task distribution. The follow-up audit revealed improvements with regard to education and training in ACP (Criterion 1: 50% to 100%) and organizational support to facilitate ACP conversations (Criterion 3: 87.5% to 100%). Other audit criteria compliance rates remained unchanged. Clinical education and team-based process analysis can facilitate ACP implementation across disciplines in oncology and palliative care facilities. However, the project did not succeed in implementing lasting changes in clinical processes and best practice ACP due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Such an endeavor would demand considerable resources and time, both of which were constrained during the pandemic. http://links.lww.com/IJEBH/A236.

Prevention of deep vein thrombosis in patients with aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage: a best practice implementation project

IntroductionDeep vein thrombosis (DVT) is a common complication observed in aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH) patients, which significantly increases the survival risks and reduces the patient’s quality of life. However, preventive clinical measures for DVT have not been standardized; therefore, the scientific basis and effectiveness of these measures require further validation.ObjectiveThis study aims to employ evidence-based practices to effectively prevent the occurrence of DVT in aSAH patients.MethodsThis study was performed from June 2023 to March 2024 in the neurosurgical intensive care unit of a Grade III Class A general hospital in Nanchang, China. Furthermore, it was based on the healthcare model published by the Joanna Briggs Institute Library (JBI) in 2016, which emphasizes the use of previous evidence-based practices while considering appropriateness, feasibility, clinical significance, and validity. In this research study, 15 review indicators were developed, and baseline assessments on 47 nurses and 49 patients were conducted. Furthermore, factors promoting and obstructing implementation were analyzed, and targeted strategies to address these obstacles were formulated. Moreover, a follow-up audit was performed to identify best practices.ResultsThe baseline review results indicated that the incidence of DVT in aSAH patients was 16.3%. Furthermore, the implementation rates of six review indicators (1, 2, 4, 5, 8, 13) were all < 100.0%, with indicators 2, 5, and 8 indicating < 60.0% implementation rates. After the project implementation, a subsequent audit revealed that the best practice initiative yielded significant improvements compared to the baseline data. Moreover, the incidence of lower limb DVT in aSAH patients decreased from 16.3% before the evidence-based practices to 6.1% after their implementation. At the nursing level, the DVT prevention knowledge and practice questionnaire scores increased from 63.62 ± 11.48 to 74.77 ± 9.98 after the evidence-based practices (t = -5.03, p < .001). In addition, the implementation rates of the six review indicators improved to varying degrees after the implementation of evidence-based practices (p < .050).ConclusionsThis project implemented evidence-based practices and indicated a reduced incidence of lower limb DVT in patients with aSAH. Furthermore, this study improved the knowledge, provided evidence for DVT prevention for the neurosurgical ICU nurses, promoted the implementation rate of review indicators for DVT prevention, standardized the behavior of neurosurgical ICU nurses for preventing DVT in aSAH patients, and ensured the safety of patients.Trial registrationThis study has been registered at the EvidenceBased Nursing Center of Fudan University in China. Clinical trial number ER20230578.

Prevention and management of medical adhesive-related skin injuries in tumor patients with peripheral central venous catheters: a best practice implementation project.

Peripheral central venous catheters are common vascular access devices used in patients with tumors. To prevent catheter shedding and displacement, it is essential to use medical adhesives to secure the catheters. Repeated adhesion and removal of medical adhesives can weaken the barrier function of the skin, leading to medical adhesive-related skin injuries (MARSI), which can increase the patients' pain and medical expenses. The objective of this project was to utilize the best evidence to prevent and manage MARSI in tumor patients with peripheral central venous catheters. This evidence-based audit and feedback project was theoretically informed by the JBI Evidence Implementation Framework. The framework involves seven phases in which a project team was established; measurable criteria were selected; baseline data were collected; improvement strategies were implemented to address gaps in compliance; a follow-up audit was conducted to assess improvements in compliance; and sustainability measures were considered. The project also used the JBI Practical Application of Clinical Evidence System (PACES) for project management, including data collection and analysis. The JBI Getting Research into Practice (GRiP) approach was also used to support implementation and compliance. In the baseline audit, the compliance rate for the nine audit criteria was low. In the follow-up audit, the compliance rate significantly improved, with each audit criterion exceeding a minimum of 80%, and four audit criteria reaching 100%. Knowledge of MARSI among nurses and patients significantly improved (p < 0.05) and the incidence of MARSI among patients with peripheral central venous catheters decreased. This project successfully enhanced nurses' compliance with MARSI prevention and management and increased the knowledge and skills of both nurses and patients about MARSI. http://links.lww.com/IJEBH/A285.

Improving midwives' management of occiput-posterior fetal positions: a best practice implementation project.

The occiput-posterior (OP) fetal position is the most frequent form of labor dystocia. This position has been associated with delaying the second stage of labor and adverse outcomes. This project aimed to improve the quality of intrapartum care provided by midwives for OP fetal positions during the second stage of labor. This best practice implementation project was conducted at the Río Hortega University Hospital in Valladolid, Spain. The project followed the JBI Evidence Implementation Framework, which is based on an audit, feedback, and re-audit process. Current practices were compared against best practices in a baseline audit using 13 audit criteria. Barriers to compliance with best practices were identified and improvement strategies were implemented. An initial follow-up audit was carried out after 4 months to avoid secondary bias. After another 4 months, a second follow-up audit was conducted. Data were collected and compared using the JBI Practical Application of Clinical Evidence System (JBI PACES). The results revealed an improvement in all structure criteria (1-3), five of the process criteria (4-6, 8, 10), and all results criteria (11-13). One process criterion (8) reached maximum compliance in all audits. A key finding was the inadequate recording of upright positions (criterion 7) and the interpretation of cardiotocography (criterion 9). Evidence-based interventions for managing OP labor improved the quality of care and underlined the importance of ongoing training for midwives. Additional studies are required on positions and fetal monitoring during labor. http://links.lww.com/IJEBH/A279.

Improving the nursing quality of non-pharmacological interventions for elderly constipation patients in the hospital: a best practice implementation project.

Non-pharmacological interventions are the preferred treatment for constipation; however, health care professionals in clinical settings tend to focus more on pharmacological treatments. This best practice implementation project aimed to integrate the best evidence on non-pharmacological interventions for elderly patients with constipation in clinical care practice and to promote the use of non-pharmacological interventions for such patients in the hospital setting. This project is based on the JBI Evidence Implementation Framework, which follows three stages. The first stage involved a baseline audit using two audit criteria derived from the best available evidence. This audit evaluated current clinical scenarios, guided by the i-PARIHS framework. The second stage involved analyzing the results of the baseline audit, identifying barriers to compliance, and developing and implementing strategies to overcome those barriers. Strategies included nursing education, development of constipation information booklets for nurses and patients, establishment of a nursing workflow, and modification of the department environment. In the third stage, a follow-up audit was conducted to evaluate the implementation, using the same data collection indicators and methods as in the baseline audit. Sixty patients participated in the project. Compliance for Criterion 1 (patient education) increased from 0% to 60% ( p < 0.001), while compliance for Criterion 2 (monitoring patients' bowel health) increased from 0% to 100% ( p < 0.001). The results indicate that this evidence-based implementation project facilitated the application of non-pharmacological interventions for elderly patients with constipation. Nurses played a significant role in developing regular defecation habits in patients and monitoring their defecation. http://links.lww.com/IJEBH/A284.

Fall prevention among adult surgical patients in Tabriz, Iran: a best practice implementation project.

Falling out of bed is the most common unintentional cause of injury among patients and is a major safety problem in health care facilities. Current practices for fall prevention may not always be aligned with established best practices, leading to variability in patient outcomes. This uncertainty underscores the need to assess and improve compliance with best practice guidelines for fall prevention. This project aimed to improve fall prevention in the surgical ward of a general hospital in Tabriz, Iran. This study was guided by the JBI Evidence Implementation Framework. A baseline audit was conducted using eleven audit criteria representing best practices for fall prevention. After the implementation of improvement strategies, a follow-up audit was conducted to evaluate changes in practice. The results revealed significant improvements, notably, fall risk assessment upon admission (87% to 92%), fall risk assessment upon ward transfer (39% to 79%), patient participation in fall risk assessment (26% to 68%), reassessment upon change in condition (53% to 74%), communicating fall prevention information to at-risk patients and their families/caregivers (42% to 63%), engagement of patients (100% to 100%), implementation of targeted strategies (89% to 92%), post-fall assessment and interventions (82% to 87%), revising patient fall risk status and reviewing care management plan (41% to 74%), fall prevention information to patients and their families/caregivers upon discharge (44% to 66%), and person-centered education of health care professionals (77% to 81%). The use of standard clinical audit tools in hospitals can improve the quality of patient care and increase the effectiveness of interventions by identifying weaknesses in the patient care process. http://links.lww.com/IJEBH/A283.

Post-operative pain management in a surgical unit in a tertiary hospital in Spain: a best practice implementation project.

More than 80% of patients experience post-surgical pain. Poor pain control decreases patients' quality of life; increases associated comorbidity, hospital length of stay and hospital costs; and delays functional recovery. Implementing evidence-based recommendations improves these negative factors as well as the patient's quality of life. This evidence implementation project aimed to improve post-operative pain management by implementing best practice recommendations. This project used the JBI Evidence Implementation Framework, which is grounded in an audit and feedback process. The project was conducted in the surgical unit of a tertiary hospital in Ciudad Real, Spain. We performed a baseline audit and two follow-up audits to measure audit criteria derived from a JBI evidence summary on pain management. A total of 30 surgical patients took part. We assessed the results of the baseline audit, identified the barriers to best practice, and implemented strategies to improve post-operative pain management. The first follow-up audit revealed an improvement in practice; however, these results worsened due to the delay in protocol approval and subsequent lack of staff motivation. The second follow-up audit showed greater compliance with best practices, although considerable room for improvement remains. Implementing evidence-based practices in health care improved nurses' clinical practice. The health care staff complied with the recommendations more readily since they associated the best practices with a clear benefit for the patient. http://links.lww.com/IJEBH/A276.

Fall prevention among psychiatric patients in an Iranian hospital: a best practice implementation project.

Falls are the main cause of disability among psychiatric patients, as well as being the most common adverse event in hospitals. The aim of this evidence implementation project was to improve fall prevention and management among psychiatric patients in a neurology ward in an Iranian tertiary psychiatric hospital. This project used the JBI Evidence Implementation Framework, which recommends an audit, feedback, and re-audit strategy. A baseline audit was conducted to evaluate current fall prevention practices among 50 psychiatric patients and 20 health care professionals. The baseline audit was used to identify gaps in compliance. After the implementation of improvement strategies, a follow-up audit was conducted to measure any changes in practice. The baseline and follow-up audits revealed that compliance with best practices improved in ward transfer fall risk assessment (Criterion 2: 87% to 90%), patient participation in fall risk assessment (Criterion 3: 95% to 96%), revising patient fall risk status (Criterion 9: 50% to 86%), and person-centered education of health care providers (Criterion 11: 78% to 96%). Other audit criteria remained unchanged. However, for Criterion 6 on patient engagement in goal-setting and treatment planning, compliance dropped from 100% at baseline to 94% at follow-up. This project successfully increased evidence-based practices regarding fall prevention and management, as well as providing mechanisms for sustaining the practice changes. Future audits are required to further improve outcomes. http://links.lww.com/IJEBH/A267.

Prevention of radial artery occlusion after transradial angiography and intervention: a best practice implementation project.

Among the complications associated with transradial artery access, radial artery occlusion (RAO) is the most frequent and serious, limiting the reuse of the same radial artery for subsequent procedures and as a graft for coronary artery bypass grafting. The objective of this project was to implement best practices to reduce the incidence of RAO, thereby enhancing the quality of patient care after transradial coronary angiography or intervention. The project was conducted in cardiology department of the Huadong Hospital, Shanghai, China. The seven-phase JBI Evidence Implementation Framework was used to guide the project. Eight audit criteria were developed and a baseline audit was conducted to compare current practice with best practices for RAO prevention. Following the implementation of improvement strategies, a follow-up audit was conducted to evaluate the success of the strategies. The implementation of best practices led to significant improvements in reducing the sheath/catheter size and systematically assessing radial artery patency before discharge, with both criteria reaching 100% compliance. The use of prophylactic ulnar compression increased from 0% to 90%, and the adoption of a minimal pressure strategy improved from 0% to 70%. The use of pre-puncture and post-procedural pre-hemostasis nitrates also increased from 23% to 93%. Barriers to implementation included the lack of dedicated devices for prophylactic ulnar artery compression, the possibility of bleeding after removal of the compression device, absence of an evidence-based care workflow, and absence of nursing assessment record forms for RAO prevention. This project promoted evidence-based practices among nurses for the care of RAO patients following transradial angiography and intervention. Efforts should be made to sustain the best practices in the future. http://links.lww.com/IJEBH/A261.

DIABEZE: Diabetes self-management among the elderly in a Belgian home for the aged: a best practice implementation project.

The aim of this project was to improve the self-management of diabetes among elderly residents in a Belgian home for the aged. Diabetes is a common chronic condition with significant comorbidity. Incidence is increasing, but a third of patients with diabetes are unaware that they have the disease. The treatment of diabetes requires a multifactorial approach. Treatment guidelines on diabetes recommend involving patients in monitoring their condition because supported self-management improves daily glycemic control. This evidence implementation project used the JBI Evidence Implementation Framework, which follows three phases. In the first phase, the area of change, stakeholders' role, and practice context and readiness for change are investigated. In the second phase, a baseline audit is conducted to compare current practice with best practice. Strategies are then implemented to address any areas of non-compliance with best practice. In the third phase, a follow-up audit is conducted to evaluate changes in practice. At baseline, six criteria had 0% compliance, two criteria had compliance lower than 50%, and only 49% of health care workers were familiar with the procedure for hypoglycemia treatment. Improvement strategies included creating awareness among health workers. In the follow-up audit, one criterion improved from 0% to 100%, three criteria improved from 0% to 85%, two criteria reached the threshold of 50% compliance, and one criterion reached 19%. Further audits are needed to ensure sustainability. This project improved diabetes self-management in elderly people living in a Belgian home for the aged. An in-depth planning phase with internal facilitation and interdisciplinary collaboration between all co-workers addressed barriers related to quality systems, structure, communication, and education. http://links.lww.com/IJEBH/A258.

Prevention and management of allergic-like reactions to iodine contrast media: a best practice implementation project.

With the wide application of iodine contrast media (ICM), the occurrence of allergic-like reactions to iodine contrast media (ALR-ICM) has increased. Strategies for the prevention and management of ALR-ICM need to be identified to provide quality care to patients undergoing enhanced computed tomography. The overarching aim of this project was to improve the prevention and management of ALR-ICM at a medical imaging center of a nearly 5,000-bed tertiary hospital in China. This project was guided by the JBI Evidence Implementation Framework, which is grounded in an audit, feedback, and re-audit strategy. A baseline audit was conducted to measure current practices against recommended best practices. Feedback from the audit was used to identify barriers and design strategies to improve practice. A follow-up audit was conducted to measure changes in compliance with best practices. The results revealed a positive change in compliance with best practices. More than 60% compliance with the four audit criteria was observed. The overall ALR-ICM rate decreased from 0.56% to 0.19%, while emergency equipment management dramatically increased from 37.50% to 100%. The smallest improvement was observed for pre-procedure prophylactic treatment of high-risk patients (27.66%). Most audit criteria showed moderate improvements in compliance with best practices. Further testing of this program in more hospitals is needed. http://links.lww.com/IJEBH/A269.

Care bundle for preventing intraventricular hemorrhage in premature infants: a best practice implementation project.

Intraventricular hemorrhages remain a major problem in neonatology, because their complications affect neonatal morbidity, mortality, and long-term neurodevelopmental outcomes. The aim of this project was to prevent intraventricular hemorrhage in premature infants during their first days of life in a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). This pre- and post-implementation clinical audit project used the JBI Evidence Implementation Framework and was conducted in a tertiary-level Spanish NICU with a consecutive sample. A baseline audit was conducted using 13 audit criteria derived from JBI summaries of the best available evidence. This was followed by the implementation of an action plan, which included a care bundle and health care professionals' education. These improvement strategies were then evaluated using a follow-up audit. The baseline and follow-up audits evaluated 54 and 56 infants, respectively. The follow-up audit showed 100% improvement for Criteria 2, 3, 6, and 7, which covered sleep safety and noise. Criteria 12 and 13, which covered cord clamping and positioning the infant, improved by 25.99%. Criterion 9, on antenatal corticosteroids, showed a slight improvement of 5.56%. This study increased compliance with an evidence-based, family-centered care approach to preventing intraventricular hemorrhage in premature infants. This was achieved by conducting a baseline and follow-up audit, implementing a training program, and keeping more comprehensive nursing records. Further studies could assess the long-term effectiveness of interventions and/or the incidence of intraventricular hemorrhage and neurodevelopmental disorders in premature infants. http://links.lww.com/IJEBH/A262.

Implementation of a heart failure disease management program in the rural southern United States: a best practice implementation project.

Heart failure affects thousands of patients annually, often resulting in hospitalization, emergency room visits, and decreased quality of life. The scientific evidence indicates that disease management programs using a multidisciplinary approach improve outcomes for heart failure patients. The overarching aim of this evidence implementation project was to establish a disease management program for heart failure patients. Specifically, the project sought to promote compliance with best practices for the early identification of heart failure exacerbation symptoms to prevent emergency room visits and hospitalizations, thereby reducing morbidity and mortality. This project was guided by the JBI Evidence Implementation Framework, which is grounded in an audit, feedback, and re-audit strategy. A baseline audit was conducted, revealing the need for a heart failure disease management program. A policy was developed to implement a disease management program and virtual relationships were established to create a multidisciplinary team. A follow-up audit was conducted to determine whether the implemented interventions closed the gap in practice identified by the baseline audit. The baseline audit revealed 0% compliance with best practices for the management of patients with heart failure, while the follow-up audit revealed 93.3% compliance. This project enhanced best practices by implementing a protocol in a rural health clinic to ensure that all heart failure patients were enrolled in a disease management program. Recommendations include using the electronic health record to quickly identify heart failure patients and their status in a disease management program. Chart audits should be performed every 6 months to ensure the program's sustainability and to determine heart failure patients' enrollment status. http://links.lww.com/IJEBH/A270.

Promoting sleep and rest in hospitalized children: a best practice implementation project.

The objective of this project was to implement scientific evidence to promote sleep and rest in pediatric patients during hospitalization. Hospitals are not conducive to quality sleep, as external factors such as light, noise, and interruptions from health care staff can disturb patients. Being hospitalized has a detrimental impact on children's sleep because it reduces how much sleep they get and the quality of that sleep. It has been reported that up to 20% to 30% of hospitalized children experience sleep problems. This project was conducted at the Marqués de Valdecilla University Hospital in Cantabria, northern Spain. The project used the JBI Evidence Implementation Framework, which is grounded in an audit, feedback, and re-audit process, together with a structured approach to identifying and managing barriers to change. The study subjects were 100 children aged 2 to 16 years, who were admitted to the hospital's pediatric unit from November to December 2021, and 27 multi-disciplinary health care staff. Implementing the evidence-based strategies improved our care practices, with the follow-up audit results showing a marked improvement in compliance. Thus, training health care staff on pediatric sleep increased from 4% to 80%; using a multi-faceted approach to sleep promotion increased from 21% to 87%; and promoting relaxation techniques to promote sleep increased from 0% to 80%. The project met its objectives. Areas for improving children's sleep and rest during hospitalization were identified. To avoid resistance to change, it was necessary to involve the entire team and maintain training. We recommend follow-up audits once a year, to ensure the sustainability of the project. http://links.lww.com/IJEBH/A252.

Communication quality predicts patients’ colorectal cancer screening behavior

The purpose of the present study was to investigate the quality of patient/clinician communication as one potential factor that impacts colorectal cancer screening behavior. As part of a larger randomized controlled trial conducted between 2011 and 2016 in the setting of community and academic family medicine or internal medicine practices in Michigan, USA, patients completed a pre-encounter survey, completed their regularly scheduled visit with their primary care clinician (which was audio-recorded), completed a post-encounter survey, and allowed 6-month follow-up chart audit. We trained 10 coders to rate 216 of the audio-recorded conversations between 216 patients and their primary care physicians for 6 specific features of communication quality (using 7-point scales), including the extent to which participants enacted attention to medical content, engagement, emotional expression, relationships, face, and accommodation. At least 3 coders rated each conversation, and intraclass correlations (i.e., reliability assessment) were in the good to excellent range. We found that patient and clinician attention to face (an identity goal) was a significant predictor of colorectal cancer screening at 6 months follow up. Measuring communication in terms of attention to multiple goals reveals unexpected findings about the aspects of communication that impact colorectal cancer screening behavior. The focus of many interventions to improve colorectal cancer screening rates is on the content (i.e., task goals) of clinicians' communication (such as presenting the different options for screening), yet the content of communication was not a significant predictor of screening in the present study. Rather, clinicians' and patients’ attention to identity goals predicted screening behavior, which suggests that interventions may not need to be overly complex and that simply improving the quality of attention to identity goals in clinician communication might be one of the most straightforward yet impactful ways to improve colorectal cancer screening uptake among patients.