Quality Improvement Projects

Synthesis research is now enabling the development of evidence-based practice guidelines that healthcare professionals can apply to their practice. However, fine-tuning (transfer science) these guidelines to what will work in each context and getting provider buy-in (implementation science) to embrace the change, can be challenging next steps. In addition, once evidence-based guidelines are transferred and implemented, an evaluation plan is needed to understand the effect.

JBI considers the evidence in relation to its feasibility, appropriateness, meaningfulness, and effectiveness. We bring the resources of JBI evidence transfer and implementation tools to support our students and clinical partners in this very important type of scholarship. Below are some examples of transfer and implementation projects being conducted by RFU students with our clinical sites.

Projects

• Project Title: Implementation of best practice for quantitative nerve monitoring in anesthetized patients
  • Project Impact: Using best practice recommendations for neuromuscular monitoring, nurse anesthesia residents implemented a training and education program to facilitate the use of quantitative nerve monitors. Before and after surveys were used to gauge general knowledge and practice trends among anesthesia providers at a community hospital.
  • Team Members: Scott Allsup, SRNA; Erica Riley, SRNA; Lori Anderson, CRNA, DNP
  • Clinical Site: OSF Saint Anthony Medical Center, Rockford, IL

• Project Title: Reducing the incidence of postoperative corneal irritation in patients undergoing steep trendelenburg position for robotic-assisted laparoscopic: procedures through a multifactorial approach
  
  • Project Impact: The proliferation of robotic surgery has led to the potential for corneal irritation that exceeds the risk using other surgical approaches. An evidence-based protocol was developed and implemented to minimize this risk at a community hospital. Before and after data was collected which demonstrated a significant reduction after the protocol was instituted.
  • Team Members: Shreena Patel, SRNA; Lindsay Ozgunay, SRNA; Jennifer Greenwood, CRNA, PhD; Ryan Pashia, CRNA; Edgar Boles, CRNA
  • Clinical Site: Franciscan St. James Health, Olympia Fields, IL

• Project Title: Does interdisciplinary simulation improve simulation satisfaction scores among nurse anesthesia residents and podiatry students?
  • Project Impact: In collaboration with the Scholl School of Podiatry and the Huntley Simulation Center, nurse anesthesia residents created and validated an interprofessional simulation experience in a high fidelity environment. The aims of the project were to determine if there were improvements in trainee performance, enhanced communication, and greater satisfaction among the participants in the interprofessional experience compared to the traditional single-specialty experience.
  • Team Members: Luiza Rikhman SRNA; Kandace Powers SRNA; Dr. Jennifer Greenwood, PhD, CRNA
  • Clinical Site: RFU Simulation Center, Northwestern Medicine Huntley Hospital Campus, Huntley, IL