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Impact of robustness of program implementation on outcomes of clients in dual diagnosis programs.

Three types of treatment-behavioral skills training, a 12-step recovery model, and intensive case management-provided to 132 clients at four facilities were identified as being robustly or not robustly implemented, depending on whether core elements of these treatments were emphasized. Outcomes and costs of services to clients were examined over 18 months. Clients receiving robustly implemented behavioral skills training had significantly higher psychosocial functioning and lower costs for supportive services than those receiving nonrobustly implemented training. Clients receiving robustly implemented case management also exhibited significantly higher psychosocial functioning and lower costs for intensive services than those in the nonrobust intervention. To be effective, dual diagnosis programs should better manage the robustness of implementation of planned interventions.

Adolescent↗

The performance impact of context in TQM implementation: the nursing facility industry.

This study develops a model and empirically assesses how# organizational context mediates the impact of total quality management (TQM) implementation on perceived performance in the nursing facility industry. Outcomes are analysed for financial, human resources and resident-care performance. Contextual factors related to TQM implementation include managerial control, reward systems, organizational structure and the extent of implementation. Duration of TQM implementation is included as a control variable. Benchmarking has a positive impact on financial outcomes, and the extent of TQM implementation and required reporting of quality improvement activity results have a positive impact on both financial and human resources performance. The presence of a Quality Steering Council has a positive impact on financial performance, but only among larger facilities.

Benchmarking↗

Implementation of a statewide outcome monitoring system: lessons learned from substance abuse treatment provider staff.

The authors analyze the pilot implementation of a statewide automated outcome monitoring system (OMS) in California, using the perspectives of substance abuse treatment providers responsible for its day-to-day operation. To gain a better understanding of changes experienced by staff and their perceptions of barriers and facilitators of implementation, they conducted 28 focus groups designed to inform midstream adjustments to the system prior to its possible roll-out. Qualitative analysis of the focus group data revealed five important factors influencing implementation: the treatment provider's ethos, the time-consuming nature of the OMS, staff buy-in, resources, and counselor and program discretion. Lessons learned underscored the importance of taking into consideration aspects of organizational change and institutional resources and infrastructure when implementing a major change such as an automated OMS. Findings might be useful to those designing and implementing similar systems or other large organizational change initiatives.

Confidentiality↗

Implementing quality improvement in hospitals: the role of leadership and culture.

Many advocates of quality improvement (QI) suggest that there is a link between an organization's leadership commitment and culture and its ability to implement a QI initiative. This paper reports empirical evidence from a study of QI implementation in Veterans Health Administration (VHA) hospitals that supports this hypothesized linkage. The findings suggest that the extent to which top management becomes directly involved in QI activities determines the degree of QI implementation. Additionally, study findings suggest that a culture emphasizing innovation and teamwork provides an important foundation for implementing a QI initiative. We discuss the implications of these findings for organizational leaders interested in implementing QI.

Analysis of Variance↗

The implementation of a restrictive worksite smoking policy in a large decentralized organization.

This study investigates the implementation of a restrictive smoking policy in decentralized worksites. A model which includes four elements--concept, context, process, and outcomes--is used as a framework for identifying characteristics that influence implementation. The organization studied was a state human services agency with approximately 400 worksites spread across 12 geographic regions. Quantitative data collection included three cross-sectional surveys of employees and supervisors administered before and after the date the policy became effective. Qualitative data were collected from three sources, including written comments on surveys, focus groups, and structured interviews with supervisors and top administrators. Tabular analyses and one-way analyses of variance were used to analyze quantitative data. Qualitative data were examined for key themes and have been used to elucidate findings. Those characteristics related to concept, context, and process which appeared to have the strongest influence on expected and unexpected outcomes of the restrictive smoking policy were degree of policy restrictiveness, job characteristics, perceived level of participation in formulation and implementation, and support of supervisors responsible for day to day enforcement. In particular, in this decentralized organization, lack of participation was found to underlie many of the problems experienced in implementation. The practical implications for developing and implementing a worksite restrictive smoking policy are discussed.

Cross-Sectional Studies↗

The tissue microarray data exchange specification: implementation by the Cooperative Prostate Cancer Tissue Resource.

BACKGROUND: Tissue Microarrays (TMAs) have emerged as a powerful tool for examining the distribution of marker molecules in hundreds of different tissues displayed on a single slide. TMAs have been used successfully to validate candidate molecules discovered in gene array experiments. Like gene expression studies, TMA experiments are data intensive, requiring substantial information to interpret, replicate or validate. Recently, an open access Tissue Microarray Data Exchange Specification has been released that allows TMA data to be organized in a self-describing XML document annotated with well-defined common data elements. While this specification provides sufficient information for the reproduction of the experiment by outside research groups, its initial description did not contain instructions or examples of actual implementations, and no implementation studies have been published. The purpose of this paper is to demonstrate how the TMA Data Exchange Specification is implemented in a prostate cancer TMA. RESULTS: The Cooperative Prostate Cancer Tissue Resource (CPCTR) is funded by the National Cancer Institute to provide researchers with samples of prostate cancer annotated with demographic and clinical data. The CPCTR now offers prostate cancer TMAs and has implemented a TMA database conforming to the new open access Tissue Microarray Data Exchange Specification. The bulk of the TMA database consists of clinical and demographic data elements for 299 patient samples. These data elements were extracted from an Excel database using a transformative Perl script. The Perl script and the TMA database are open access documents distributed with this manuscript. CONCLUSIONS: TMA databases conforming to the Tissue Microarray Data Exchange Specification can be merged with other TMA files, expanded through the addition of data elements, or linked to data contained in external biological databases. This article describes an open access implementation of the TMA Data Exchange Specification and provides detailed guidance to researchers who wish to use the Specification.

Confidentiality↗

Barriers and facilitators to implementing shared decision-making in clinical practice: a systematic review of health professionals' perceptions.

BACKGROUND: Shared decision-making is advocated because of its potential to improve the quality of the decision-making process for patients and ultimately, patient outcomes. However, current evidence suggests that shared decision-making has not yet been widely adopted by health professionals. Therefore, a systematic review was performed on the barriers and facilitators to implementing shared decision-making in clinical practice as perceived by health professionals. METHODS: Covering the period from 1990 to March 2006, PubMed, Embase, CINHAL, PsycINFO, and Dissertation Abstracts were searched for studies in English or French. The references from included studies also were consulted. Studies were included if they reported on health professionals' perceived barriers and facilitators to implementing shared decision-making in their practices. Shared decision-making was defined as a joint process of decision making between health professionals and patients, or as decision support interventions including decision aids, or as the active participation of patients in decision making. No study design was excluded. Quality of the studies included was assessed independently by two of the authors. Using a pre-established taxonomy of barriers and facilitators to implementing clinical practice guidelines in practice, content analysis was performed. RESULTS: Thirty-one publications covering 28 unique studies were included. Eleven studies were from the UK, eight from the USA, four from Canada, two from The Netherlands, and one from each of the following countries: France, Mexico, and Australia. Most of the studies used qualitative methods exclusively (18/28). Overall, the vast majority of participants (n = 2784) were physicians (89%). The three most often reported barriers were: time constraints (18/28), lack of applicability due to patient characteristics (12/28), and lack of applicability due to the clinical situation (12/28). The three most often reported facilitators were: provider motivation (15/28), positive impact on the clinical process (11/28), and positive impact on patient outcomes (10/28). CONCLUSION: This systematic review reveals that interventions to foster implementation of shared decision-making in clinical practice will need to address a broad range of factors. It also reveals that on this subject there is very little known about any health professionals others than physicians. Future studies about implementation of shared decision-making should target a more diverse group of health professionals.

Journal Article↗

Practising evidence-based medicine: the design and implementation of a multidisciplinary team-driven extubation protocol.

BACKGROUND: Evidence from recent literature shows that protocol-directed extubation is a useful approach to liberate patients from mechanical ventilation (MV). However, research evidence does not necessarily provide guidance on how to implement changes in individual intensive care units (ICUs). We conducted the present study to determine whether such an evidence-based strategy can be implemented safely and effectively using a multidisciplinary team (MDT) approach. METHOD: We designed a MDT-driven extubation protocol. Multiple meetings were held to encourage constructive criticism of the design by attending physicians, nurses and respiratory care practitioners (RCPs), in order to define a protocol that was evidence based and acceptable to all clinical staff involved in the process of extubation. It was subsequently implemented and evaluated in our medical/ surgical ICU. Outcomes included response of the MDT to the initiative, duration of MV and stay in the ICU, as well as reintubation rate. RESULTS: The MDT responded favourably to the design and implementation of this MDT-driven extubation protocol, because it provided greater autonomy to the staff. Outcomes reported in the literature and in the historical control group were compared with those in the protocol group, and indicated similar durations of MV and ICU stay, as well as reintubation rates. No adverse events were documented. CONCLUSION: An MDT approach to protocol-directed extubation can be implemented safely and effectively in a multidisciplinary ICU. Such an effort is viewed favourably by the entire team and is useful in enhancing team building.

Adult↗

Take note(s): differential EHR satisfaction with two implementations under one roof.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to rigorously evaluate perceived differences in satisfaction with an electronic health record (EHR) between residents of two medical specialties who share the same health record, practice location, administration, and information technology support. DESIGN: A cross-sectional survey was used comparing user satisfaction between pediatrics residents and internal medicine residents in an academic practice. MEASUREMENTS: The survey was designed to measure baseline demographic characteristics, attitudes toward computers, general satisfaction with an EHR, and perceived practicality of use, variation from familiar practice, organizational support, and impact on delivery of care. RESULTS: Medicine subjects were similar to pediatrics subjects in baseline demographic characteristics. Satisfaction with the EHR implementation was very high for both sets of subjects, but internal medicine residents were significantly less likely to be satisfied with the EHR implementation (relative risk [RR]=0.84, 95% confidence interval [CI]=0.73-0.98) and considerably less likely to believe that their colleagues were satisfied with it (RR=0.56, 95% CI=0.41-0.77). The only surveyed characteristic independently predicting satisfaction was medical specialty (p=0.04). Medicine subjects were less likely to believe template-based documentation improved their efficiency (RR=0.64, 95% CI=0.46-0.88). They were significantly more likely to believe the system had been designed to improve billing (RR=1.50, 95% CI=1.05-2.04) and not to improve patient care (RR=0.61, 95% CI=0.44-0.85). CONCLUSION: The authors found a difference in satisfaction between internal medicine and pediatrics users of an EHR. Although many potential factors that influence satisfaction were similar between subjects in the two specialties, differences in previous experience may have influenced the results. Medicine residents had more previous experience with a different EHR implementation, which they may have perceived as superior to the one involved in this study. Pediatric residents had more previous experience with structured data entry prior to EHR implementation and more preventive care patient encounters for which structured data entry may be well suited. Since successful implementations generally require satisfied users, understanding what factors affect satisfaction can improve chances of a system's success.

Adult↗

Implementing a competitive medical care system through public policy.

This paper seeks to clarify so-called competition strategies for medical care, and to present a more flexible approach for public policy to encourage competition. In so doing, it appears useful to divide a competition strategy into two parts: (1)a structurally sound market mode for the future medical delivery and financing system, and (2) a strategy to implement the chosen model. Policymakers may choose any model that satisfies that structural conditions of a sound market. After listing there principal conditions, this paper presents two distant market models that satisfy them in entirely different ways and a third model that combines the first two. Once a specific market model is chosen, policymakers may choose among a variety of ways to implement it. Some implementation strategies require coercive legislation, others rely more on persuasive leadership, pressures, and incentives. The paper points out that all of these strategies must address certain common action areas: it then proposes one implementation strategy in some detail and uses it to illustrate a way to address each of these area. Although it certainly is not the only possible strategy, the proposal would appear to be practical approach for implementing effective competition.

Deductibles and Coinsurance↗

Internal quality control: planning and implementation strategies.

The first essential in setting up internal quality control (IQC) of a test procedure in the clinical laboratory is to select the proper IQC procedure to implement, i.e. choosing the statistical criteria or control rules, and the number of control measurements, according to the quality required for the test and the observed performance of the method. Then the right IQC procedure must be properly implemented. This review focuses on strategies for planning and implementing IQC procedures in order to improve the quality of the IQC. A quantitative planning process is described that can be implemented with graphical tools such as power function or critical-error graphs and charts of operating specifications. Finally, a total QC strategy is formulated to minimize cost and maximize quality. A general strategy for IQC implementation is recommended that employs a three-stage design in which the first stage provides high error detection, the second stage low false rejection and the third stage prescribes the length of the analytical run, making use of an algorithm involving the average of normal patients' data.

Bias↗

Organizational factors influencing nurse practitioners' role implementation in acute care settings.

The purpose of this study was to explore the influence of organizational factors on the Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (ACNP) role implementation. A descriptive correlational design, incorporating quantitative and qualitative methods for data collection was used. The sample of convenience consisted of 57 ACNPs assigned to various medical and surgical programs within acute care hospitals. Ten ACNPs participated in the unstructured qualitative interviews. In addition to the interviews, data pertinent to various organizational factors, including role formalization, receptivity of the role by others, perceived autonomy, role strain, and additional factors that may interfere with role implementation, were collected through a self-report structured questionnaire. A four-diary day was completed to gather data on role implementation. Descriptive and correlational statistics were used to analyze the quantitative data. The qualitative data were content analyzed. The ACNPs engaged most frequently in activities reflective of the clinical practice component of the role and less frequently in the non-clinical components (i.e., education, administration, and research). Results of the quantitative and qualitative analyses indicated that lack of formal clear job description, conflicting demands and expectations, lack of receptivity of the role by others, lack of autonomy, and increased workload were negatively correlated with the ACNP role implementation. The ACNP role implementation varies across practice settings. This variability should be accounted for when examining outcomes of ACNP care.

Acute Disease↗

A toolkit to facilitate the implementation of clinical practice guidelines in healthcare settings.

In the early stages of development and pilot implementation of the guidelines, it became apparent that organizations were struggling to identify ways to introduce and implement the guidelines. The majority of the pilot sites were providing education sessions to facilitate CPG utilization with little attention to other implementation strategies. Those charged with introducing the CPG into the clinical setting were soon faced with a myriad of implementation challenges for which they needed a solution. It became clear that a planned systematic approach to facilitate implementation of CPGs was needed.

Canada↗

Design and implementation of a modulator-based free-space optical backplane for multiprocessor applications.

Design and implementation of a free-space optical backplane for multiprocessor applications is presented. The system is designed to interconnect four multiprocessor nodes that communicate by using multiplexed 32-bit packets. Each multiprocessor node is electrically connected to an optoelectronic VLSI chip which implements the hyperplane interconnection architecture. The chips each contain 256 optical transmitters (implemented as dual-rail multiple quantum-well modulators) and 256 optical receivers. A rigid free-space microoptical interconnection system that interconnects the transceiver chips in a 512-channel unidirectional ring is implemented. Full design, implementation, and operational details are provided.

Journal Article↗

Challenges of change: a qualitative study of chronic care model implementation.

PURPOSE: The Chronic Care Model (CCM) provides a conceptual framework for transforming health care for patients with chronic conditions; however, little is known about how to best design and implement its specifics. One large health care organization that tried to implement the CCM in primary care provided an opportunity to study these issues. METHODS: We conducted a qualitative, comparative case study of 5 of 18 group clinics 18 to 23 months after the implementation began. Built on knowledge of the clinics from a previous study of advanced access implementation, data included in-depth interviews with organizational leaders and varied clinic personnel, observation of clinic care processes, and review of written materials. RESULTS: Relatively small and highly variable care process changes were made during the study period. The change process underwent several marked shifts in strategy when initial efforts failed to achieve much and bore little resemblance to the change process used in the previously successful large-scale implementation of advanced access scheduling. Many barriers were identified, including too many competing priorities, a lack of specificity and agreement about the care process changes desired, and little engagement of physicians. CONCLUSION: These findings highlight specific organizational challenges with health care transformation in the absence of a blueprint more specific than the CCM. Effective models of organizational change and detailed examples of proven, feasible care changes still need to be demonstrated if we are to transform care as called for by the Institute of Medicine.

Ambulatory Care Facilities↗

Outcomes in post-ICU mechanical ventilation: a therapist-implemented weaning protocol.

BACKGROUND: Therapist-implemented protocols have been used to extubate or wean patients in the ICU setting. Barlow Respiratory Hospital (BRH) functions as a center for weaning patients from prolonged mechanical ventilation (PMV) in the post-ICU setting of a long-term acute-care (LTAC) facility. A therapist-implemented patient-specific (TIPS) weaning protocol was developed at BRH to standardize weaning from PMV. STUDY DESIGN: Prospective cohort study with historical control. METHODS: A weaning protocol incorporating the procedures and pace of LTAC weaning was developed using available scientific evidence and expert consensus. After training of staff, collection and analysis of pilot data, and revisions and refinement of the protocol, the TIPS protocol was implemented hospital-wide. It was monitored for outcome, variance, and respiratory care practitioner (RCP) and physician compliance. RESULTS: Forty-six RCPs worked with eight pulmonologists treating 271 consecutive patients admitted for weaning from PMV during an 18-month period. Nineteen patients were excluded from weaning attempts by any method after initial physician evaluation. The remaining 252 patients (9,135 total ventilator days) were compared with a group of 238 patients treated by the same physicians in the 2 years before instituting protocol weaning. Median time to wean declined significantly from 29 days in historical control subjects to 17 days for TIPS protocol patients (p < 0.001). Outcomes (scored at discharge) were comparable for the two groups (TIPS group vs control group): weaned, 54.7% vs 58.4%; ventilator-dependent, 17.9% vs 10.9%; died, 27.4% vs 30.7% (p = 0.10). Variances incurred by physicians and RCPs were 324 and 136, respectively, for the 9,135 ventilator days. CONCLUSIONS: Patients weaned from PMV using a new therapist-implemented protocol at BRH, an LTAC facility specializing in weaning, had significantly shorter time to weaning than historical control subjects, with comparable outcomes. The weaning outcome data collected after the implementation of the TIPS protocol are in fact attributable to its use, as we found a high degree of compliance with the protocol.

Aged↗

Implementation and case-study results of potentially better practices to improve pain management of neonates.

OBJECTIVE: Collaborative quality improvement techniques were used to facilitate local quality improvement in the management of pain in infants. Several case studies are presented to highlight this process. METHODS: Twelve NICUs in the Neonatal Intensive Care Quality Improvement Collaborative 2002 focused on improving neonatal pain management and sedation practices. These centers developed and implemented evidence-based potentially better practices for pain management and sedation in neonates. The group introduced changes through plan-do-study-act cycles and tracked performance measures throughout the process. RESULTS: Strategies for implementing potentially better practices varied between centers on the basis of local characteristics. Individual centers identified barriers to implementation, developed tools for improvement, and shared their experience with the collaborative. Baseline data from the 12 sites revealed substantial opportunities for improved pain management, and local potentially better practice implementation resulted in measurable improvements in pain management at participating centers. CONCLUSIONS: The use of collaborative quality improvement techniques enhanced local quality improvement efforts and resulted in effective implementation of potentially better practices at participating centers.

Analgesia↗

Medical and pharmacy expenditures after implementation of a cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitor prior authorization program.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effects of a cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 inhibitor prior authorization (PA) program on direct medical and pharmacy costs. DESIGN: Prospective, pre- and postimplementation cohort study with reference group. SETTING: Large corporation in the Midwest. PATIENTS: Of 26,375 continuously enrolled members, 737 used a COX-2 inhibitor in the 3 months before January 1, 2003, when the PA program was implemented. MEASUREMENT AND MAIN RESULTS: The PA program limits coverage for a COX-2 inhibitor to members with a documented risk for a nonselective nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drug (NSAID)-induced gastrointestinal adverse event. All pharmacy and medical claims and costs were analyzed from the payer's perspective for a 15-month period. Separate pharmacy cost comparisons and medical cost comparisons were made between the 3-month quarter before PA program implementation and each follow-up quarter after PA program implementation. In the 3 months after PA program implementation, 620 (84.1%) of 737 members had no claims for a COX-2 inhibitor, and during this period their pharmacy and medical costs initially declined 40.0% (p < 0.001) and 18.7% (p < 0.001), respectively, and remained significantly lower. Among a subgroup of 156 members who tried to fill a COX-2 inhibitor prescription but were denied coverage, pharmacy and medical costs initially declined, 48.1% (p < 0.001) and 10.3% (p < 0.001), respectively, with pharmacy costs remaining significantly lower; however, overall medical expenditures increased, then returned to baseline. No change was noted in physician outpatient encounters, and two members had an emergency department visit for abdominal pain with no gastrointestinal ulcerations or bleeds during the 12-month follow-up. CONCLUSION: Among members denied coverage for a COX-2 inhibitor after implementation of a PA program, pharmacy costs declined without a medical cost increase associated with gastrointestinal diagnoses.

Adolescent↗