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Published on: December 31, 2015
Closing the evidence to practice gap in neonatal transfusion medicine
Amy Keir1, Erin Grace1, Simon Stanworth2
1SAHMRI Women and Kids, South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute, South Australia, Australia; Adelaide Medical School and the Robinson Research Institute, The University of Adelaide, South Australia, Australia; Women's and Babies Division, Women's and Children's Hospital, North Adelaide, South Australia, Australia.
Insights
Translating research into improved neonatal care is challenging. This study explores using quality improvement methods to enhance the adoption of evidence-based blood transfusion practices in neonatal units worldwide.
Area of Science:
- Neonatal Medicine
- Healthcare Quality Improvement
- Evidence Translation
Background:
- Substantial investment in research does not consistently lead to improved healthcare outcomes.
- A gap exists between evidence generation and its sustained implementation in clinical practice, particularly in neonatal care.
- Current neonatal transfusion practices require optimization to align with emerging evidence.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify strategies for promoting the uptake of evidence in neonatal transfusion practices.
- To explore the role of quality improvement (QI) in bridging the evidence-practice gap.
- To enhance clinical outcomes and resource utilization in neonatal units through improved transfusion practices.
Main Methods:
- Focus on the application of quality improvement methodologies.
- Systematic approach to understanding and influencing behavior change related to blood transfusions.
- Interdisciplinary collaboration and family engagement strategies.
Main Results:
- Quality improvement offers a framework to translate research findings into clinical practice.
- Systematic approaches to behavior change can increase the adoption of evidence-based practices.
- Involving diverse stakeholders, including families, is crucial for sustained change.
Conclusions:
- Quality improvement is a viable strategy to improve neonatal transfusion practices globally.
- Addressing the evidence-practice gap can lead to cost savings, resource conservation, and better patient outcomes.
- A multidisciplinary and family-centered approach is essential for effective implementation of evidence-based care.
Abstract:
Significant resources are directed towards world-class research projects, but the findings are not necessarily translated into better healthcare outcomes, either at all or in a sustained way. There is a clear need to dedicate further resources to understanding how to promote the uptake of evidence and effectively change neonatal transfusion practice to improve outcomes. Approaching blood transfusion behaviour change more systematically, and working across disciplines and involving families, holds the potential to increase the rate of uptake of emerging evidence in clinical practice. This approach holds the potential to save costs, conserve resources, and improve clinical outcomes. Our paper focuses on the use of quality improvement to bridge the gap between evidence-based knowledge and transfusion practice in neonatal units around the world.
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