Measuring expected change outcomes is crucial in research to ascertain effectiveness of planned change into real-world clinical practice. Outcome evaluation is important at all levels including patient, clinician, and organization level. Outcomes need to be measured throughout the process including at the beginning, short-term, and long-term (Melnyk & Fineout-Overholt, 2015). Cultivating change mentors and champions can help improve outcomes and provide ongoing training with clinicians including “circulate information, encourage peers to adopt the innovation, arrange demonstrations, and orient staff to the innovation” (LoBiondo-Wood & Haber, 2014, p. 434).
Expected Change Outcomes
The expected outcome from this change will be a decrease in surgical site infections (SSI) with postoperative patients. Many factors come into play when measuring outcomes which include measurement tools, validity of instruments and tools to measure outcomes, as well as accurate self-reporting in regard to clinician compliance (Melnyk & Fineout-Overholt, 2015). Outcomes can be measured by tracking statistics on postoperative patients regarding type of preoperative bathing solution used prior to surgery, the incidence of postoperative SSI, clinician compliance with intervention at point-of-care, 30-day hospital readmission data as well as patient satisfaction surveys (HCAHPS) over a 6-month period. The results will determine if the change will be translated into practice.
Implementation Process Outcomes
Utilizing EBP leaders (mentors) can help with all aspects of the change process. Mentors give guidance, encouragement, help foster self-confidence in clinicians as well as reinforce values to the team. The ARCC change model stresses the importance of utilizing change mentors and champions to improve quality of care as well as patient outcomes. Assigning a change leader and unit champions will help to provide support such as ongoing organizational assessment, conduct EBP workshops and provide ongoing education, encouragement with clinicians and staff focused on a culture of EPB, institute EBP implementation strategies (EBP rounds, newsletters, journal clubs, etc.), assess for and focus on overcoming barriers, facilitate involvement of staff and point-of-care clinician compliance, and implement a culture of multidisciplinary collaboration to promote and sustain EBP (Melnyk & Fineout-Overholt, 2015, p. 378).
References
LoBiondo-Wood, G., & Haber, J. (2014). Nursing research: Methods and critical appraisal for evidence-based practice (8th ed.). St. Louis, MO: Mosby Elsevier.
Melnyk, B. M., & Fineout-Overholt, E. (2015). Evidence-based practice in nursing & healthcare: A guide to best practice (3rd ed.). Retrieved from Amazon Kindle App