Evaluating a quality improvement learning collaborative: qualitative evaluation of Using Labs Wisely.

Area of Science:

• Healthcare Quality Improvement
• Laboratory Stewardship
• Health Services Research

Background:

• Overuse of low-value laboratory tests leads to patient harm, resource waste, and environmental damage.
• Choosing Wisely Canada's Using Labs Wisely (ULW) initiative aimed to reduce unnecessary testing via a national learning collaborative.
• ULW facilitated hospital participation in stewardship projects, collaboration, and progress monitoring.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the Using Labs Wisely (ULW) program.
• To identify successes, challenges, and areas for improvement in reducing low-value laboratory testing.
• To understand participant experiences with the ULW collaborative.

Main Methods:

• Qualitative study employing semi-structured interviews with clinicians and managers.
• Interviews guided by the Theoretical Framework of Acceptability (TFA).
• Thematic analysis of interview transcripts from 13 participating hospitals.

Main Results:

• Hospitals valued ULW's structured, collaborative approach, national credibility, and peer learning, aiding buy-in.
• Facilitators included shared data, training, and quality improvement initiatives.
• Challenges involved data extraction, system standardization, and limited human resources, especially during the pandemic.

Conclusions:

• Using Labs Wisely successfully reduced low-value laboratory testing through structured improvement, benchmarking, and peer learning.
• Ongoing challenges with data and resources require attention.
• The evaluation provides insights for ULW's evolution and future healthcare collaboratives.