Cumulative impact of periodic top-down communications on infection prevention practices and outcomes in two units.

BACKGROUND: The problem of interest in this study is the challenge of consistent implementation of evidence-based infection prevention practices at the unit level, a challenge broadly characterized as "change implementation failure." The theoretical literature suggests that periodic top-down communications promoting tacit knowledge exchanges across professional subgroups may be effective for enabling change in health care organizations. However, gaps remain in understanding the mechanisms by which top-down communications enable practice change at the unit level. Our study sought to both validate the theoretical literature and address this gap. PURPOSE: Correspondingly, this study posed two research questions. (1) What is the impact of periodic "top-down" communications on practice change at the unit level? (2) What are the "unit-level" communication dynamics enabling practice changes? Whereas this article focuses on addressing the first question, the second question has been addressed in an earlier Health Care Management Review article (Rangachari et al., 2013). METHODS: A prospective study was conducted in two intensive care units at an academic health center. Both units had low baseline adherence to central line bundle (CLB) and higher-than-expected catheter-related bloodstream infections (CRBSIs). Periodic top-down communication interventions were conducted over 52 weeks to promote CLB adherence in both units. Simultaneously, the study examined (a) unit-level communication dynamics related to CLB through weekly "communication logs," completed by unit physicians, nurses, and managers, and (b) unit outcomes, that is, CLB adherence and CRBSI rates. FINDINGS: Both units showed increased adherence to CLB and significant, sustained declines in CRBSIs. Results showed that the interventions cumulatively had a significant negative (desired) impact on "catheter days," that is, central catheter use. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: Results help validate the theoretical literature and identify evidence-based management strategies for practice change at the unit level. They suggest that periodic top-down communications have the potential to modify interprofessional knowledge exchanges and enable practice change at the unit level, leading to significantly improved outcomes and reduced costs.

The evolution of knowledge exchanges enabling successful practice change in two intensive care units.

BACKGROUND: Many hospitals are unable to consistently implement evidence-based practices. For example, implementation of the central line bundle (CLB), known to prevent catheter-related bloodstream infections (CRBSIs), is often challenging. This problem is broadly characterized as "change implementation failure." PURPOSE: The theoretical literature on organizational change has suggested that periodic top-down communications promoting tacit knowledge exchanges across professional subgroups may be effective for enabling learning and change in health care organizations. However, gaps remain in understanding the mechanisms by which top-down communications enable practice change at the unit level. Addressing these gaps could help identify evidence-based management strategies for successful practice change at the unit level. Our study sought to address this gap. METHODS: A prospective study was conducted in two intensive care units within an academic health center. Both units had low baseline adherence to CLB and higher-than-expected CRBSIs. Periodic top-down quality improvement communications were conducted over a 52-week period to promote CLB implementation in both units. Simultaneously, the study examined (a) the content and frequency of communication related to CLB through weekly "communication logs" completed by unit physicians, nurses, and managers and (b) unit outcomes, that is, CLB adherence rates through weekly chart reviews. FINDINGS: Both units experienced substantially improved outcomes, including increased adherence to CLB and statistically significant (sustained) declines in both CRBSIs and catheter days (i.e., central line use). Concurrently, both units indicated a statistically significant increase in "proactive" communications-that is, communications intended to reduce infection risk-between physicians and nurses over time. Further analysis revealed that, during the early phase of the study, "champions" emerged within each unit to initiate process improvements. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: The study helps identify evidence-based management strategies for successful practice change at the unit level. For example, it underscores the importance of (a) screening each unit for change champions and (b) enabling champions to emerge from within the unit to foster change implementation.

Role of communication content and frequency in enabling evidence-based practices.

Many hospitals are unable to successfully implement evidence-based practices. For example, implementation of the central line bundle (CLB), proven to prevent catheter-related bloodstream infections (CRBSIs), is often challenging. This problem is broadly characterized as a "change implementation failure." A prospective study was conducted in 2 intensive care units (ICUs), a medical ICU (MICU) and a pediatric ICU (PICU), within an academic health center. Both units had low baseline adherence to CLB and higher-than-expected CRBSIs. The study sought to promote CLB implementation in both units through periodic quality improvement (QI) interventions over a 52-week period. Simultaneously, it examined (1) the content and frequency of communication related to CLB through weekly "communication logs" completed by physicians, nurses, and managers, and (2) outcomes, that is, CLB adherence rates through weekly medical record reviews. The aim of the study was 2-fold: (1) to examine associations between QI interventions and communication content and frequency at the unit level, and (2) to examine associations between communication content and frequency and outcomes at the unit level. The periodic QI interventions were expected to increase CLB adherence and reduce CRBSIs through their influence on communication content and frequency. A total of 2638 instances of communication were analyzed. Both units demonstrated a statistically significant increase in "proactive" communications-that is, communication intended to reduce infection risk between physicians and nurses over time. Proactive communications increased by 68% in the MICU (P < .05) and 61% in the PICU (P < .05). During the same timeframe, both units increased CLB adherence to 100%. Both units also demonstrated statistically significant declines in (1) catheter days: 34% decline in the MICU (P < .05) and 30% in the PICU (P < .05); and (2) CRBSI rates: 63% decline in the MICU (P < .05) and 100% in the PICU (P < .10). Direct costs savings from reduced CRBSIs in 1 year were estimated to be at least $840 000. Periodic QI interventions were effective in reframing interprofessional communication dynamics and enabling practice change. The prospective design provides insights into communication content and frequency associated with collective learning and culture change. The study identifies evidence-based management strategies for positive practice change at the unit level.

Awareness of evidence-based practices alone does not translate to implementation: insights from implementation research.

This article offers a scholarly review and perspective on the potential of "implementation research" to generate incremental, context-sensitive, evidence-based management strategies for the successful implementation of evidence-based practices (EBPs) (such as the "central line bundle"). Many hospitals have difficulty consistently implementing EBPs at the unit level. This problem has been broadly characterized as "change implementation failure" in health care organizations. The popular hospital response to this challenge has been to raise clinician awareness of EBPs through mandated educational programs. However, this approach has not always succeeded in changing practice. The health services research literature has emphasized the role of several organizational variables (eg, leadership, safety culture, organizational learning, teamwork and communication, and physician/staff engagement) in successful change implementation. Correspondingly, this literature has developed broad frameworks and programs for change in health care organizations. While these broad change frameworks have been successfully applied by some facilities to change practice, they are not incrementally actionable. As such, several facilities have not leveraged broad change frameworks because of resource and/or contextual limitations; a majority of hospitals continue to resort to mandated clinician education (awareness-building) for change implementation. The recent impetus toward "implementation research" in health care has the potential to generate incremental, context-sensitive, evidence-based management strategies for practice change. Authors discuss specific insights from a recently completed study on central line bundle implementation in 2 intensive care units in an academic health center. The study demonstrates that awareness of EBPs alone does not translate to implementation. More importantly, the study also identifies incremental, context-sensitive, evidence-based management strategies for successful implementation of EBPs at the unit level.

Application of nanoscale zero valent iron (NZVI) for groundwater remediation in Europe.

PURPOSE: Nanoscale zero valent iron (NZVI) is emerging as a new option for the treatment of contaminated soil and groundwater targeting mainly chlorinated organic contaminants (e.g., solvents, pesticides) and inorganic anions or metals. The purpose of this article is to give a short overview of the practical experience with NZVI applications in Europe and to present a comparison to the situation in the USA. Furthermore, the reasons for the difference in technology use are discussed. METHOD: The results in this article are based on an extensive literature review and structured discussions in an expert workshop with experts from Europe and the USA. The evaluation of the experiences was based on a SWOT (strength, weakness, opportunity, threat) analysis. RESULT: There are significant differences in the extent and type of technology used between NZVI applications in Europe and the USA. In Europe, only three full-scale remediations with NZVI have been carried out so far, while NZVI is an established treatment method in the USA. Bimetallic particles and emulsified NZVI, which are extensively used in the USA, have not yet been applied in Europe. Economic constraints and the precautionary attitude in Europe raise questions regarding whether NZVI is a cost-effective method for aquifer remediation. Challenges to the commercialization of NZVI include mainly non-technical aspects such as the possibility of a public backlash, the fact that the technology is largely unknown to consultants, governments and site owners as well as the lack of long-term experiences. CONCLUSION: Despite these concerns, the results of the current field applications with respect to contaminant reduction are promising, and no major adverse impacts on the environment have been reported so far. It is thus expected that these trials will contribute to promoting the technology in Europe.

A baseline study of communication networks related to evidence-based infection prevention practices in an intensive care unit.

This study seeks to gain a baseline understanding of the communication network structure, content of communication, and outcomes in a medical intensive care unit experiencing higher-than-expected central line blood stream infection (CLBSI) rates. The communication network structure refers to the direction and frequency of communication on evidence-based CLBSI prevention practices across various professional subgroups and hierarchical levels in the unit, including medical faculty, nurses, residents, students, unit managers, and hospital administrators. The content of communication refers to the type of knowledge (ie, tacit vs explicit knowledge) exchanged on CLBSI prevention practices. Outcomes include (1) compliance with CLBSI prevention practices and (2) hospital-acquired CLBSI rates in the unit. Data on communication network structure and content of communication are collected using communication logs completed weekly for 4 weeks, by individual participants in each professional subgroup and hierarchical level. Outcomes are collected weekly through chart (medical record) review. Study results indicate a sparse communication network structure with minimal interaction across professional subgroups and hierarchical levels. They also indicate that primarily explicit knowledge on general infection topics is being exchanged as against tacit knowledge on specific infection prevention practices. Unit outcomes are poor, with the central line bundle score at zero during all 4 weeks. The study represents an original attempt at developing methods for measuring the communication network structure related to evidence-based infection prevention practices at the unit level. It lays a foundation for testing hypotheses related to effective communication network structures for hospital infection prevention in a larger study. More significantly, the study lays a foundation for generating concrete and context-sensitive strategies for organizational learning and improvement in the context of evidence-based practices. Such insight is critical from the perspective of evidence-based health care management.