NURS 6052 EVIDENCE-BASED PRACTICE AND THE QUADRUPLE AIM

Nurses should be highly innovative in the workplace and embrace methods that offer creative solutions. Evidence-based practice (EBP) bridges theory-to-practice gaps by obliging nursing professionals to deliver patient care guided by current scientific findings (ANA Nursing Resources Hub, 2023). The Quadruple Aim in healthcare seeks to achieve four overarching goals: better individual experience of care, improved population health, reduced costs, and improved work life of care providers. The purpose of this paper is to analyze the connection between EBP and the Quadruple Aim.

Patient Experience

Patient experience is shaped by interactions with the healthcare system, including the type of medical services and nurses’ ability to promote healing. Part of an organization’s role in achieving the Quadruple Aim is equitable care without regard to the patient’s race, gender, religious beliefs, and nationality (Sikka et al., 2015). In this case, patients should enjoy interactions with providers and be treated with the dignity they deserve. Crabtree et al. (2016) linked nursing engagement in EBP with improved patient care due to better-quality, comprehensive processes. Through EBP, nurses can design and implement effective solutions for patients’ health problems, leading to high satisfaction hence positive experience.

Population Health

Population health’s status depends on the interventions healthcare organizations and individuals apply to prevent diseases and optimize access to care. Organizations with a strong EBP culture can empower populations through preventive services like regular screening, counseling, and preventive medications (National Institutes of Health, 2024). They can also implement evidence-based educational programs to encourage health-seeking behaviors in communities. Such services enable healthy living in communities and optimize population health by preventing diseases and related harms.

Costs

Healthcare organizations can reduce costs through cost-efficient procedures and ensuring a productive workforce. Sikka et al. (2015) cited that freedom from physical and psychological harm typifies smart economics since toxic environments add costs. Recognizing this, organizational leaders implement evidence-based strategies for achieving a productive workforce free from harm. Tech-based strategies like barcode medication and safe coating technologies help to reduce costs by preventing medical errors and infections.

Work Life of Healthcare Providers

Healthcare providers need optimal physical and mental health to remain productive and committed to their roles. Kim et al. (2016) linked EBP to high job satisfaction and group cohesion in nursing. The satisfaction creates a positive mindset, making nurses enjoy their work, hence low turnover due to reduced burnout. Without joy and meaning in work, nurses cannot perform according to their potential (Sikka et al. 2015). In an EBP culture, healthcare leaders value practices and work models that optimize productivity and efficiency. These evidence-based measures include self-care support, teamwork, and manageable workloads.

Conclusion

EBP positively impacts the Quadruple Aim in healthcare by improving patient experience through high-quality care. Besides, EBP has a high potential to improve public health and save healthcare costs through innovative, preventive procedures. Evidence-based interventions also improve the work life of healthcare providers by increasing job satisfaction. The positive link between EBP and the Quadruple Aim underscores the need for an EBP culture in healthcare.

References

ANA Nursing Resources Hub. (2023). What is evidence-based practice in nursing? https://www.nursingworld.org/content-hub/resources/workplace/evidence-based-practice-in-nursing/

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. doi:10.1111/wvn.12126

Kim, S. C., Stichler, J. F., Ecoff, L., Brown, C. E., Gallo, A. M., & Davidson, J. E. (2016). Predictors of evidence‐based practice implementation, job satisfaction, and group cohesion among regional fellowship program participants. Worldviews on Evidence‐Based Nursing, 13(5), 340-348. doi:10.1111/wvn.12171

National Institutes of Health. (2024). Evidence-based practices, programs, and resources. https://prevention.nih.gov/research-priorities/dissemination-implementation/evidence-based-practices-programs#:~:text=Evidence%2Dbased%20recommendations%20about%20clinical,harms%20of%20a%20preventive%20service.

Sikka, R., Morath, J. M., & Leape, L. (2015). The quadruple aim: Care, health, cost and meaning in work. BMJ Quality & Safety, 24(10), 608-610. doi:10.1136/bmjqs-2015-004160