NURS 6052/5052 EB001 Quadruple Aim and Evidence-Based Practice Assignment Example Six

Evidence-Based Practice (EBP) and the Quadruple Aim play crucial roles in enhancing healthcare equality, improving patient outcomes, reducing hospital costs, and enhancing the work life of clinicians (Malnyk, Gallagher-Ford, & Fineout-Overholt, 2016). EBP is an approach that utilizes the best evidence to inform nursing practice, aiming to achieve optimal patient outcomes (Melnyk & Fine-Overhold, 2018). The Quadruple Aim focuses on improving patient care experience, population health, reducing healthcare costs, and enhancing the well-being of healthcare workers (Sikka, Morath, & Leape, 2015). Both EBP and the Quadruple Aim are interdependent, with the successful implementation of one requiring the support of the other.

EBP significantly contributes to the achievement of the Quadruple Aim across its four measures: patient experience, population health, cost, and the work life of healthcare providers. Patient experience is positively impacted by incorporating EBP into care delivery, such as implementing evidence-based practices like hourly rounding, which is proven to enhance patient satisfaction (Lavenberg et al., 2019).

Population health benefits from EBP by addressing population characteristics, needs, values, and preferences. EBP supports the development of accessible tools and interventions to improve population health, particularly in managing prevalent comorbidities like heart failure, diabetes, and obesity (Jacobs et al., 2012). Efficient utilization of EBP in population health promotes cost-effective practices by reducing hospitalizations, tests, and doctor visits, thus aligning with the cost measure of the Quadruple Aim (Lhachimi et al., 2016).

EBP contributes to cost reduction by providing estimations and analyses guiding cost-effective care. It eliminates redundant laboratory tests, allowing for optimal resource utilization. Additionally, EBP, including interprofessional collaboration, empowers clinicians, leading to higher job satisfaction and morale, ultimately impacting healthcare costs positively (Eaton et al., 2017).

The fourth goal of the Quadruple Aim, the work life of healthcare providers, is foundational for achieving the other three aims. Burnout and stress among healthcare providers can negatively impact patient outcomes. EBP interventions, such as workload reduction and stress management, enhance the work life of healthcare providers, resulting in improved patient care (Bodenheimer & Sinsky, 2014).

In conclusion, the successful implementation of the Quadruple Aim requires prioritizing EBP in healthcare organizations. Achieving the fourth aim is integral to realizing the other three goals, emphasizing the importance of a healthy and engaged healthcare workforce (Sikka et al., 2015).

References

Bodenheimer, T., & Sinsky, C., (2014). From triple to quadruple aim: Care of the patient requires care of the provider. Annual Family Medicine, 12(6), 573-576. https://doi.org/10.1370/afm.1713

Eaton, S. L., Day, L. E., & Hutchinson, M. (2017). Evidence-based practice in nursing education: Assisting future nurses to facilitate evidence-based practice among students. Nurse Education in Practice, 22, 39-44. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nepr.2016.11.001