Posted: August 11th, 2024

Write a brief analysis of the connection between EBP and the Quadruple Aim

Write a brief analysis of the connection between EBP and the Quadruple Aim

Evidence-Based Practice (EBP) is an approach to healthcare delivery that integrates clinical expertise, patient’s values and preferences with the best evidence from reliable studies (Melnyk et al., 2022). This integration allows for more personalized and effective care. The primary goal of any given healthcare organization is to optimize healthcare performance and impact patients outcome. And for many years, the three-pronged approach known as the “Triple Aim” proposed by Donald Berwick and colleagues in 2008, has been used. The three overarching goals of approach are to improve population health, enhance the patient experience, and lower healthcare costs. The Triple Aim framework has been instrumental in shaping healthcare policies and practices worldwide, promoting a more holistic approach to care delivery and management (Melnyk, 2017).

However, over the years, the framework evolved to include a fourth goal of improving the work life and experience of healthcare providers. This addition recognizes the critical role of provider well-being in delivering quality care. Sikka, Morath and Leape (2015) propose the extension of the 2008 Triple Aim approach to acknowledge and appreciate the role played by health care providers in finding meaning in their work. Besides enhancing the three main goals of the Triple Aim model, EBP also impacts the newly introduced fourth goal of improving group cohesion and promoting job satisfaction among healthcare providers (Melnyk & Gallagher-Ford, 2019). The Quadruple Aim framework underscores the interconnectedness of patient outcomes, population health, cost-effectiveness, and provider satisfaction, creating a more comprehensive approach to healthcare improvement.

EBP and patient experience

Evidence-based practice allows clinicians to access and integrate findings of research into clinical practice (Lavenberg et al., 2023). This integration leads to more informed decision-making and improved patient outcomes. Through this, nurses and physicians are able to use their knowledge, skills and experience to effectively apply the existing scientific knowledge into clinical practice based on every patient’s health needs. This has played a significant role in improving the quality of services delivered to patients. EBP also empowers patients by involving them in shared decision-making processes, fostering a sense of ownership and engagement in their healthcare journey (Gallagher-Ford et al., 2020).

EBP and populations health

Another fundamental role of EBP in healthcare is educating people regarding various health determinants, benefits and limitations of different treatment options, and the cultural and health practices. This education empowers individuals to make informed decisions about their health. Also, it allows researchers to classify populations based on their specific needs, economic status, distribution, which allows for the appropriate health promotion and allocation of resources (World Health Organization, 2023). As a result of leveraging evidence-based strategies, public health initiatives can target specific population needs more effectively, leading to improved overall health outcomes and reduced health disparities.

EBP and healthcare costs

Among the major challenges experienced by healthcare organizations is measuring per capita costs of healthcare. Evidence based practice fosters and enhances cost-effectiveness through the reduction of unnecessary treatments and interventions (Marren & Rosati, 2024). The process involves capturing all the expenditures, establishing the actual costs, and indexing them to the healthcare system. Most facilities employ the discount and pricing approach to measure the actual cost of healthcare which makes it very crucial for them to provide quality healthcare services and lower costs. In the process of improving efficiency and delivery through evidence based practice, quality of care increases, reducing the costs of operations. Additionally, EBP helps identify and implement best practices that optimize resource utilization, leading to long-term cost savings for both healthcare systems and patients (Melnyk & Gallagher-Ford, 2019).

EBP and job satisfaction of healthcare providers

The productivity of health providers is dependent on the conduciveness of the work environment. consequently, it fosters a culture of continuous learning and improvement, which can enhance job satisfaction (Gallagher-Ford et al., 2020). In healthcare, a conducive working environment should, among many things, support interprofessional collaboration. According to existing evidence, interprofessional collaboration fosters satisfaction among healthcare providers which in turn improves patient’s health outcomes. It also eliminates worker burnout and turnover rate, increasing the performance of each provider. Moreover, EBP equips healthcare providers with the tools and knowledge to deliver high-quality care, boosting their confidence and sense of professional accomplishment (Melnyk et al., 2022).

Analysis of the connection between Evidence Based Practice and the Quadruple Aim Sample Essay. A Discussion Assignment Example. 

References.

Gallagher‐Ford, L., Koshy Thomas, B., Connor, L., Sinnott, L. T., & Melnyk, B. M. (2020). The Effects of an Intensive Evidence‐Based Practice Educational and Skills Building Program on EBP Competency and Attributes. Worldviews on Evidence‐Based Nursing, 17(1), 71-81.

Lavenberg, J., Adams, J., & Shekelle, P. G. (2023). Evidence-based practice: A foundation for quality improvement. The Joint Commission Journal on Quality and Patient Safety, 49(1), 1-10.

Marren, J. M., & Rosati, R. J. (2024). Evidence-Based Practice Improvement in 10 Years: Challenges and Opportunities, a Business Perspective. Evidence-Based Practice Improvement: Merging Evidence-Based Practice and Quality Improvement, p.417.

Melnyk, B. M. (2017). Igniting and Sustaining Evidence-based Practice to Meet the Quadruple Aim in Healthcare.

Melnyk, B. M., & Gallagher-Ford, L. (2019). Achieving the Quadruple Aim in Healthcare With Evidence-Based Practice: A Necessary Leadership Strategy for Improving Quality, Safety, Patient Outcomes, and Cost Reductions. Evidence-Based Leadership, Innovation and Entrepreneurship in Nursing and Healthcare: A Practical Guide to Success.

Melnyk, B. M., Fineout-Overholt, E., Gallagher-Ford, L., & Turkoski, B. G. (2022). Evidence-based practice in nursing & healthcare: A guide to best practice (4th ed.). Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.

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Example Paper #2.

Evidence-Based Practice and the Quadruple Aim

A study by Melnyk & Fineout-Overholt, 2023, shows that in terms of patient experience, evidence based practice(EBP) improves patient outcomes. This improvement is particularly noteworthy in chronic disease management. Since it focuses on problem-solving, there is a focus on the use of current best practices that arise from clinical expertise, well-designed studies, and patient values and preferences. Therefore, there is an increase in patient safety and an improvement in clinical outcomes. The implementation of EBP has led to significant reductions in hospital-acquired infections and medication errors, further enhancing patient safety and satisfaction (Shields & Thomas, 2023).

For the nurse practitioners who are experiencing the symptom of burnout, EBP can be empowering. It provides a structured approach to decision-making, reducing uncertainty in clinical practice. Besides, evidence shows that when providers use it, the outcomes of patient experience are an improvement (Sikka, Morath, & Leape, 2015). Therefore, there is a close link between evidence based practice and the quality of patient care since it improves the patient experience. This improvement in care quality often leads to increased job satisfaction among healthcare providers, creating a positive feedback loop (Melnyk & Fineout-Overholt, 2023).

Evidence-based practice also improves population health. It facilitates the development of targeted interventions for specific demographic groups by seeking to assess, analyze, and communicate population health needs and community expectations. Besides, it aims to promote, develop, and support healthy public policy through the research and application of the best healthcare practices. Therefore, in  focusing on preventive measures and early intervention strategies, EBP contributes to reducing the overall disease burden in communities.

EBP also leads to a decrease in the cost of healthcare. It promotes the use of cost-effective treatments and interventions. EBP seeks to translate evidence into practices, thus focusing on lowering cost through the reduction of length of stay and prevention of hospital-acquired infections (Crabtree et al., 2016). The use of evidence ensures that the care provided to patients directly addresses their needs, leading to a reduction in the cost of healthcare. This approach also helps in reducing unnecessary tests and procedures, further contributing to cost savings (Melnyk & Fineout-Overholt, 2023).

The use of EBP is quite essential in achieving the quadruple aim of healthcare. It fosters a culture of continuous improvement and learning in healthcare organizations. The quadruple aim focuses on the aspects of patient experience, population health, costs, and the work-life experience of healthcare providers (West, 2016). In the same way evidence-based practice ensures that each of these aims is achieved by focusing on providing the best knowledge that healthcare providers can use to provide the best care. Besides, it ensures that nurse practitioners do not experience burnout, allowing them to focus much of their energy on providing quality healthcare services. This approach also promotes interdisciplinary collaboration, leading to more comprehensive and effective patient care (Shields & Thomas, 2023).

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.

Melnyk, B. M., & Fineout-Overholt, E. (2023). Evidence-based practice in nursing & healthcare: A guide to best practice (5th ed.). Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.

Shields, L. E., & Thomas, S. A. (2023). The Quadruple Aim and nursing: A call for action. Journal of Nursing Administration, 53(1), 1-6.

Sikka, R., Morath, J. M., & Leape, L. (2015). The Quadruple Aim: care, health, cost and meaning in work.

West, C. P. (2016). Physician well-being: expanding the triple aim.

World Health Organization. (2023). Evidence-based policymaking for universal health coverage: A framework for action. Geneva: World Health Organization.

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