Implementing new information systems and devices, in high-reliability organizations such as operating rooms (OR’s) in hospitals, is complex. To improve the success and efficiency of these implementations we constructed a protocol for implementation for digitization and devices in OR’s. This protocol consists of implementation factors, implementation activities, and implementation instructions. In this study, we evaluated this protocol. To gather data, we organized three focus group sessions with participants holding different job roles at different departments: a surgeon, a methodologist, anesthesiologists, a scrub nurse, a training officer, innovations officers, and OR-management. We gathered qualitative data regarding completeness, clearness, and the ability to execute. Sessions were video-recorded, transcribed, and coded in Nvivo for Windows according to Toulmins Argumentative Pattern. Based on this analysis, revisions to factors, activities, and instructions are presented for protocol enhancement; experts confirm that an implementation protocol is needed to increase implementation efficiency and adoption of new devices.
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Digitization of activities in hospitals receives more attention, due to Covid-19 related regulations. The use of e-health to support patient care is increasing and efficient ways to implement digitization of processes and other technological equipment are needed. We constructed a protocol for implementation and in this study, we evaluate this protocol based on a case to implement a device in the OR. We used various data sources to evaluate this protocol: semi-structured interviews, questionnaires, and project documents. Based on these findings, this protocol, including identified implementation activities and implementation instructions can be used for implementations of other devices. Implementation activities include setting up a project plan, organizational and technological preparation, maintenance, and training. In future research, these activities and instructions need to be evaluated in more complex projects and a flexible tool needs to be developed to select relevant activities and instructions for implementations of information systems or devices.
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Medical equipment is implemented in highly complex hospital environments, such as operating rooms, in hospitals around the world. In operating rooms (ORs), technological equipment is used for surgical activities and activities in support of surgeries. The implementation of government policies in hospitals has resulted in varying implementation activities for (medical) equipment. These result in varying lead times and success rates. An integral and holistic protocol for implementation does not yet exist. In this study, we introduce a protocol for the implementation of (medical) equipment in ORs that consists of implementation factors and implementation activities. Factors and activities are based on data from a systematic literature review and an explorative survey among surgical support staff on factors for the successful implementation of technological and (medical) equipment in ORs. The protocol consists of five factors and related implementation activities: the establishment of a project plan, organisational preparation, technological preparation, maintenance, and training.
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Introduction: Several barriers, such as lack of time, knowledge and support, hinder clinicians from providing an individually tailored physical activity (PA) prescription and referral to their patients. As a result, “exercise is medicine” (E = M) is not systematically implemented in clinical care today. Many studies have identified facilitators and barriers to implementation, yet linking these factors to tailored implementation strategies is still an under-researched area. Therefore, this study aimed to apply Implementation Mapping to develop an implementation protocol to support the individually tailored PA prescription in hospital care.Methods: We used strong stakeholder participation and, we applied the five tasks of the systematic Implementation Mapping approach to match implementation strategies to implementation barriers and facilitators identified through interviews with clinicians working at two university hospitals in the Netherlands.Results: We identified clinicians as primary actors. Secondary actors were managers of the departments and stakeholders in the broader context. For each actor group, performance objectives were defined. We matched previously identified facilitators and barriers to theory and evidence-informed implementation strategies from the Effective Practice and Organisation of Care taxonomy using the CFIR Strategy Matching Tool. Next, we translated these implementation strategies (e.g., active learning, audit, and feedback, technical assistance, peer education) into practical activities to support the implementation of the E = M tool, such as training for clinicians, creating overviews of possible local exercise referral options, and appointing role models for clinicians. Lastly, these activities were bundled into an implementation protocol. The implementation protocol consisted of a set of implementation activities to support and guide clinicians during the adoption, implementation, and sustainability process of the prescription of E = M. All activities were supported by implementation tools, practical applications, and materials while allowing tailoring to the specific clinical context.Discussion/conclusion: This study illustrates the application of Implementation Mapping to design an implementation protocol to support and guide the prescription of E = M by clinicians in the hospital environment, using strong stakeholder participation in the development process. The stepwise development of the implementation protocol can serve as an example for researchers or practitioners preparing for E = M implementation.
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Aims and objectives: To describe the process of implementing evidence-based practice (EBP) in a clinical nursing setting. Background: EBP has become a major issue in nursing, it is insufficiently integrated in daily practice and its implementation is complex. Design: Participatory action research. Method: The main participants were nurses working in a lung unit of a rural hospital. A multi-method process of data collection was used during the observing, reflecting, planning and acting phases. Data were continuously gathered during a 24-month period from 2010 to 2012, and analysed using an interpretive constant comparative approach. Patients were consulted to incorporate their perspective. Results: A best-practice mode of working was prevalent on the ward. The main barriers to the implementation of EBP were that nurses had little knowledge of EBP and a rather negative attitude towards it, and that their English reading proficiency was poor. The main facilitators were that nurses wanted to deliver high-quality care and were enthusiastic and open to innovation. Implementation strategies included a tailored interactive outreach training and the development and implementation of an evidence-based discharge protocol. The academic model of EBP was adapted. Nurses worked according to the EBP discharge protocol but barely recorded their activities. Nurses favourably evaluated the participatory action research process. Conclusions: Action research provides an opportunity to empower nurses and to tailor EBP to the practice context. Applying and implementing EBP is difficult for front-line nurses with limited EBP competencies. Relevance to clinical practice: Adaptation of the academic model of EBP to a more pragmatic approach seems necessary to introduce EBP into clinical practice. The use of scientific evidence can be facilitated by using pre-appraised evidence. For clinical practice, it seems relevant to integrate scientific evidence with clinical expertise and patient values in nurses’ clinical decision making at the individual patient level.
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Background: The majority of patients diagnosed with early-stage breast cancer are in a position to choose between having a mastectomy or lumpectomy with radiation therapy (breast-conserving therapy). Since the long-term survival rates for mastectomy and for lumpectomy with radiation therapy are comparable, patients’ informed preferences are important for decision-making. Although most clinicians believe that they do include patients in the decision-making process, the information that women with breast cancer receive regarding the surgical options is often rather subjective, and does not invite patients to express their preferences. Shared decision-making (SDM) is meant to help patients clarify their preferences, resulting in greater satisfaction with their final choice. Patient decision aids can be very supportive in SDM. We present the protocol of a study to β test a patient decision aid and optimise strategies for the implementation of SDM regarding the treatment of early-stage breast cancer in the actual clinical setting. Methods/design: This paper concerns a preimplementation and post-implementation study, lasting from October 2014 to June 2015. The intervention consists of implementing SDM using a patient decision aid. The intervention will be evaluated using qualitative and quantitative measures, acquired prior to, during and after the implementation of SDM. Outcome measures are knowledge about treatment, perceived SDM and decisional conflict. We will also conduct face-to-face interviews with a sample of these patients and their care providers, to assess their experiences with the implementation of SDM and the patient decision aid.
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Background: A new selective preventive spinal immobilization (PSI) protocol was introduced in the Netherlands. This may have led to an increase in non-immobilized spinal fractures (NISFs) and consequently adverse patient outcomes. Aim: A pilot study was conducted to describe the adverse patient outcomes in NISF of the PSI protocol change and assess the feasibility of a larger effect study. Methods: Retrospective comparative cohort pilot study including records of trauma patients with a presumed spinal injury who were presented at the emergency department of a level 2 trauma center by the emergency medical service (EMS). The pre-period 2013-2014 (strict PSI protocol), was compared to the post-period 2017-2018 (selective PSI protocol). Primary outcomes were the percentage of records with a NISF who had an adverse patient outcome such as neurological injuries and mortality before and after the protocol change. Secondary outcomes were the sample size calculation for a larger study and the feasibility of data collection. Results: 1,147 records were included; 442 pre-period, and 705 post-period. The NISF-prevalence was 10% (95% CI 7-16, n = 19) and 8% (95% CI 6-11, n = 33), respectively. In both periods, no neurological injuries or mortality due to NISF were found, by which calculating a sample size is impossible. Data collection showed to be feasible. Conclusions: No neurological injuries or mortality due to NISF were found in a strict and a selective PSI protocol. Therefore, a larger study is discouraged. Future studies should focus on which patients really profit from PSI and which patients do not.
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BACKGROUND: Despite the evidence of the adverse consequences of immobility during hospitalization, patients spend most of the time in bed. Although physical activity is a modifiable factor that can prevent in-hospital functional decline, bed rest is deeply rooted in the hospital culture. To attack this, a multidimensional approach is needed. Therefore, Hospital in Motion, a multidimensional implementation project, was designed to improve physical behavior during hospitalization. OBJECTIVE: The primary objective of this study is to investigate the effectiveness of Hospital in Motion on inpatient physical behavior. Secondary objectives are to investigate the effectiveness on length of hospital stay and immobility-related complications of patients during hospitalization and to monitor the implementation process. METHODS: For this study, Hospital in Motion will be implemented within 4 wards (cardiology, cardiothoracic surgery, medical oncology, and hematology) in a Dutch University Medical Center. Per ward, multidisciplinary teams will be composed who follow a step-by-step multidimensional implementation approach including the development and implementation of tailored action plans with multiple interventions to stimulate physical activity in daily care. A prepost observational study design will be used to evaluate the difference in physical behavior before and 1 year after the start of the project, including 40 patients per time point per ward (160 patients in total). The primary outcome measure is the percentage of time spent lying, measured with the behavioral mapping method. In addition, a process evaluation will be performed per ward using caregivers' and patient surveys and semistructured interviews with patients and caregivers. RESULTS: This study is ongoing. The first participant was enrolled in October 2017 for the premeasurement. The postmeasurements are planned for the end of 2018. The first results are expected to be submitted for publication in autumn 2019. CONCLUSIONS: This study will provide information about the effectiveness of the Hospital in Motion project on physical behavior and about the procedures of the followed implementation process aimed to incorporate physical activity in usual care. These insights will be useful for others interested in changing physical behavior during hospitalization.
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Introduction: In March 2014, the New South Wales (NSW) Government (Australia) announced the NSW Integrated Care Strategy. In response, a family-centred, population-based, integrated care initiative for vulnerable families and their children in Sydney, Australia was developed. The initiative was called Healthy Homes and Neighbourhoods. A realist translational social epidemiology programme of research and collaborative design is at the foundation of its evaluation. Theory and Method: The UK Medical Research Council (MRC) Framework for evaluating complex health interventions was adapted. This has four components, namely 1) development, 2) feasibility/piloting, 3) evaluation and 4) implementation. We adapted the Framework to include: critical realist, theory driven, and continuous improvement approaches. The modified Framework underpins this research and evaluation protocol for Healthy Homes and Neighbourhoods. Discussion: The NSW Health Monitoring and Evaluation Framework did not make provisions for assessment of the programme layers of context, or the effect of programme mechanism at each level. We therefore developed a multilevel approach that uses mixed-method research to examine not only outcomes, but also what is working for whom and why.
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For the integrated implementation of Business Process Management and supporting information systems many methods are available. Most of these methods, however, apply a one-size fits all approach and do not take into account the specific situation of the organization in which an information system is to be implemented. These situational factors, however, strongly determine the success of any implementation project. In this paper a method is provided that establishes situational factors of and their influence on implementation methods. The provided method enables a more successful implementation project, because the project team can create a more suitable implementation method for business process management system implementation projects.
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