Safe Hands at the Sharp End
Short description
The aim of this integrated Knowledge Translation (iKT) study is to develop and test a multifaceted implementation intervention for feasibility, acceptability and effectiveness. The intervention will be tailored to fit the context of the operating room (OR), to promote OR team members’ use of aseptic techniques during the care of frail persons undergoing acute fracture surgery of the hip.
Through the use of an iKT approach, we hypothesise that building on leadership support, partnership between researchers, managers/clinical leaders and healthcare professionals, a solid foundation for the sustained implementation of patient safety innovations can be created.
Design
This is a mixed methods prospective controlled implementation study with an embedded process evaluation. Two similar sized surgical departments will be included, one will be selected as experimental department and the other, as the control. In addition to standard education on HH the experimental ward will participate in an iKT intervention.
Expected value, theoretical and clinical relevance
Improving the use of aseptic techniques and a person centred approach during surgery in the elderly has the potential to improve the quality of care and promote the well-being of this group of frail patients. Moreover, over the longer term, this may reduce the incidence of unplanned return to OR, hospital length of stay, mortality and morbidity as well as costs and patient suffering. The leadership intervention and the learning laboratories will contribute with knowledge and understanding of the ways in which managers can be supported to mediate change and contribute to the development of an effective leadership intervention as well as create new knowledge on how inter-professional learning in the OR can be facilitated. This knowledge is essential in informing the identification of effective strategies that may improve patient safety trough effective communication, decision-making and teamwork. The project has the potential to increase our understanding of which implementation strategies will be most appropriate in mediating behaviour change in relation to preventive innovations in clinical practice in the OR. By using both the Leadership Intervention model in combination with an iKA partnership based approach in a novel way will advance our understanding and refine the implementation science as a base for further theoretical developments.
Researchers
Annette Erichsen Andersson
Maria Frödin
Jesper Hök
Lars Wallin
Lisen Delleborg
Ewa Wikström
Brigid Gillespie.
