The Connection between EBP and Quadruple Aim

The Connection between EBP and Quadruple Aim

Evidence-based practice fully depends on the application of scientific evidence in clinical decision-making. Evidence-based practice was introduced in the 1990s, and since then, it has made headway in policy formation, management, and in the education of and clinical practice of nurses. Being the best approach for clinical problem-solving, evidence-based practice amalgamates clinical evidence from the top best scientific studies, patients’ preferences and values, and the healthcare providers’ skills in making patient care decisions (Melnyk & Fineout-Overholt, 2018). For this reason, EBP ensures patients receive quality care. Essentially, Quadruple Aim targets four significant goals: improved population health, the work experience of the healthcare providers, patient experiences, and cost reduction. It does so by redesigning the healthcare facilities. Sadly, there seems to be a major setback in achieving the goals mentioned above since improved population health goes hand in hand with an increased cost of care (Sikka et al., 2015). The discussion below will explore the impact of EBP on the Quadruple Aim elements more.

Patient Experience

The strategies deployed in EBP enable the healthcare providers to translate the evidence from the scientific studies into their practice. By utilizing the skills and knowledge acquired from evidence-based practice, nurses and other healthcare providers can serve patients based on their specific needs (Crabtree et al., 2016). Therefore, evidence-based practice improves the quality of healthcare service and, consequently, the quality of the patient’s health. Currently, most healthcare facilities have implemented the use of evidence-based practice in healthcare service delivery, and it has greatly improved patient care and experiences.

The Population Health

Among the purposes of evidence-based practice is to educate the public on healthcare interventions, health determinants, and the effects of cultural practices in healthcare. Further, healthcare providers that implement evidence-based practice to serve the public aim to ensure equal distribution of healthcare resources for better healthcare service and outcomes (Crabtree et al., 2016). Population healthcare delivery is determined by individual patient’s needs, such as the patient’s socioeconomic status. Therefore, healthcare providers serve patients based on their needs, ensuring equal service to all. In addition, evidence-based practice is also useful in informing the strategies for health promotion activities such as health education. As a result, the population health outcome is improved.

Healthcare Cost

The high cost of healthcare is the major challenge facing healthcare service provision. The majority of patients die of rather curable illnesses because of a lack of funds to facilitate their treatment. As a result, most healthcare institutions, both governmental and non-governmental, are searching for ways of making healthcare services affordable to all. Evidence-based practice can play a crucial role in healthcare cost reduction by suggesting alternative methods for healthcare service provision. Moreover, EBP aims to improve the quality of healthcare service and improve the quality of life of patients. For this reason, frequent hospitalization is reduced and hence reduced cost. Additionally, EBP also puts emphasis on the application of technology in patient care leading to a reduction in medical errors and hence reduced litigation costs.

The Work Environment for Healthcare Providers

Patient satisfaction and well-being fully depend on the level of healthcare providers’ motivation to offer medical services. Evidence-based practice aims at motivating healthcare providers through the adoption of certain healthcare practices. These practices include continuous medical education, training programs for healthcare workers to boost their confidence, and advocating for organizational policy changes to suit the healthcare providers (Kim et al., 2016). Ultimately, these approaches positively impact their motivation.

References

Crabtree, E., Brennan, E., Davis, A., & Coyle, A. (2016). Improving patient care through nursing engagement in evidence-based practice. Worldviews on Evidence-Based Nursing, 13(2), 172–175. doi:10.1111/wvn.12126

Kim, S. C., Stichler, J. F., Ecoff, L., Brown, C. E., Gallo, A.-M., & Davidson, J. E. (2016). Predictors of evidence-based practice implementation, job satisfaction, and group cohesion among regional fellowship program participants. Worldviews on Evidence-Based Nursing, 13(5), 340–348. doi:10.1111/wvn.12171

Melnyk, B. M., & Fineout-Overholt, E. (2018). Evidence-based practice in nursing & healthcare: A guide to best practice (4th ed.). Philadelphia, PA: Wolters Kluwer.Chapter 1, “Making the Case for Evidence-Based Practice and Cultivating a Spirit of Inquiry” (pp. 7–32)

Sikka, R., Morath, J. M., & Leape, L. (2015). The Quadruple Aim: Care, health, cost, and meaning in work. BMJ Quality & Safety, 24, 608–610. doi:10.1136/bmjqs-2015-004160

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Assignment: Evidence-Based Practice and the Quadruple Aim
Healthcare organizations continually seek to optimize healthcare performance. For years, this approach was a three-pronged one known as the Triple Aim, with efforts focused on improved population health, enhanced patient experience, and lower healthcare costs.

The Connection between EBP and Quadruple Aim

More recently, this approach has evolved to a Quadruple Aim by focusing on improving healthcare providers’ work lives. Each of these measures is impacted by decisions made at the organizational level, and organizations have increasingly turned to EBP to inform and justify these decisions.

To Prepare:

Read the articles by Sikka, Morath, & Leape (2015); Crabtree, Brennan, Davis, & Coyle (2016); and Kim et al. (2016) provided in the Resources.
Reflect on how EBP might impact (or not impact) the Quadruple Aim in healthcare.
Consider the impact that EBP may have on factors impacting these quadruple aim elements, such as preventable medical errors or healthcare delivery.
To Complete:

Write a brief analysis (no longer than 2 pages) of the connection between EBP and the Quadruple Aim.

Your analysis should address how EBP might (or might not) help reach the Quadruple Aim, including each of the four measures:

Patient experience
Population health
Costs
Work-life of healthcare providers