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
Evidence-Based Practice and the Quadruple Aim in the Healthcare System
The Quadruple Aim is a framework suggested to optimize the performance of the healthcare system. The framework aims to reduce healthcare costs, improve the health of the population and patient experience, and maintain the healthcare team’s well-being. Also, these four aims are performance dimensions that can be applied extensively to address crucial healthcare challenges like decreasing the high rates of burnout among healthcare workers (Arnetz et al., 2020). Evidence-based practice involves the integration of clinical expertise with the best and latest existing research evidence and the unique circumstances and values of the patient (Abu-Baker et al., 2021). Below, the connection between evidence-based practice and the Quadruple Aim is discussed.
Patient Experience
In the first domain of the Quadruple Aim, evidence-based practice has a significant role in improving patient experience. This is achieved through the use of the best available evidence in making clinical decision-making processes (Berryman, 2021). Implementation of evidence-based patient-centered care, collaborative decision-making approaches, and communication models have a great impact on patient satisfaction (Berryman, 2021). For example, evidence-based communication strategies like clear information and tech-back methods of dissemination help improve patient engagement and understanding. Consistent application of evidence-based interventions by healthcare organizations creates a favorable environment that nurtures collaboration, trust, and positive interactions between healthcare providers and patients, ultimately improving the patient experience (Berryman, 2021).
Population Health
Secondly, evidence-based practice significantly helps in the advancement of population health by guiding healthcare practices as per the proven interventions and the latest research. By using evidence-based guidelines, health organizations can implement early interventions, preventive measures, and chronic disease management protocols that have shown effectiveness and efficiency (Roth et al., 2020). For instance, population health initiatives that are evidence-based, such as community-based screenings and targeted interventions based on epidemiological data, help improve health outcomes at the population level. Evidence-based practice significantly empowers healthcare organizations to align their interventions to the unique needs of diverse populations, tackling health disparities and enhancing equitable health outcomes (Roth et al., 2020).
Healthcare Costs
Thirdly, healthcare cost, another domain in the Quadruple Aim, can be tamed by the use of evidence-based practice to enhance effective and efficient care delivery. The use of evidence-based practices helps identify cost-effective interventions, decrease unnecessary healthcare expenditures, and streamline clinical workflows (Roth et al., 2020). An example is the use of an evidence-based strategy for diagnostic tests and management algorithms, which optimizes the use of resources and decreases needless variation in care. The use of evidence-based cost-containment initiatives is in line with the Quadruple Aim’s financial goals, which create responsible and sustainable resource management (Roth et al., 2020).
Work-Life of Healthcare Providers
Fourthly, evidence-based practice impacts healthcare providers’ work lives by creating evidence-based decision-making and a continuous learning culture. Organizations that prioritize the use of evidence-based practice in continuous training, education, and access to updated evidence for their healthcare workforce guarantee equipping healthcare providers with the relevant knowledge and skills to deliver the highest quality care and reduce uncertainty and stress caused by unclear and outdated practices (Valaitis et al., 2020). Integrating evidence-based practices helps create a favorable work environment that values collaboration, innovation, and the well-being of healthcare organizations.
In conclusion, using evidence-based practice in healthcare is key to achieving the quadruple aim. Evidence-based practice serves as a core premise that directs organizations toward the objective of sustainable improvements in healthcare performance, from improving healthcare personnel’s work lives and lowering healthcare costs to increasing population health and patient experience.
References
Abu-Baker, N. N., AbuAlrub, S., Obeidat, R. F., & Assmairan, K. (2021). Evidence-based Practice Beliefs and Implementations: a cross-sectional Study among Undergraduate Nursing Students. BMC Nursing, 20(1), 1–8. https://doi.org/10.1186/s1291