Implementation of an Evidence-Based Care Program Within a Multihospital Health Care System

Abstract

The need for evidence-based guidance at the local hospital level is challenged by lack of clinician resources to critically appraise and synthesize evidence, and the applicability and timing of external evidence reviews are not always ideal for local settings. BJC HealthCare established an Evidence-Based Care (EBC) program to address evidence synthesis needs within the organization using a standardized rapid review process. From 2012 to 2016, 377 rapid reviews were completed. Common review topics included supplies or technology (23%), infection prevention (20%), and patient safety (18%). The median turnaround time for reviews was 22 calendar days (16 business days). Of the 68% (28/41) of review requestors who responded to a survey, 89% agreed or strongly agreed that EBC's review informed their project or final decision, and 93% indicated that they likely would request a review in the future. Using rapid review methodology, an EBC program delivered timely and relevant evidence for local decision making.

Methodological guidance for rapid reviews in healthcare: A scoping review

“…The selection process is shown in Figure 1. A total of 17 articles from the database search met the inclusion criteria and another 17 documents were included from the additional search in Google Scholar and on the websites of governmental and non‐governmental organizations 10,18,24–55 . Three articles described more than one RR type 24–26 .…”

Health Technology Assessment Centers—an Infrastructure for Health Systems to Translate Evidence into Practice

“…One project involved health technology assessment of a foreign object detection program in the operating room, leading to a multistep initiative that deployed bar-coded and radiofrequencytagged surgical sponges, with a reduction in retained foreign object rates by 50%. 12 Though health system-based HTA is still in nascent stages of development within the US, 7 the University of Pennsylvania and Kaiser experiences demonstrate that institutional HTA centers can be successful and persist within the US healthcare landscape, particularly when supported by institutional administration, 13 and effectively yield the delivery of high-value care-a major priority for payers, clinicians, and patients.…”