Understanding clinical implementation coordinators' experiences in deploying evidence-based interventions.

Area of Science:

• Healthcare management
• Antibiotic stewardship
• Clinical implementation science

Background:

• The fluoroquinolone restriction for the prevention of Clostridioides difficile infection (FIRST) trial aimed to optimize fluoroquinolone use.
• Clinical implementation coordinators (CICs) within antibiotic stewardship teams (ASTs) are crucial for implementing evidence-based interventions.
• Understanding the CIC role is essential for successful healthcare innovation adoption.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe the roles and responsibilities of CICs within ASTs.
• To identify facilitators and barriers encountered by CICs during the implementation process.

Main Methods:

• Directed content analysis of semistructured interviews, implementation diaries, and check-in meetings.
• Utilized a conceptual framework of middle managers' roles in healthcare innovation implementation.

Main Results:

• CICs performed diverse roles: information gathering for best-practice alerts (BPAs), staff preparation, meeting organization, stakeholder engagement, and clinical evaluation.
• Key barriers included organizational staffing models and COVID-19 interruptions.
• Facilitators comprised AST empowerment, positive staff relationships, and diverse implementation strategies.

Conclusions:

• CICs significantly facilitate healthcare innovation implementation through their roles and responsibilities.
• CICs act as strategic partners, enhancing the adoption and sustainability of antibiotic stewardship protocols, such as fluoroquinolone preauthorization.