Table 5.
Evaluation Questions and Assessments for Broader Adoption of Effective Practices, 2006
| Evaluation Question | Summary Assessment |
|---|---|
| To what extent is new evidence on effective practices and implementation methods being disseminated to the broader health care system? | Results from patient safety projects are being published in journals and compendia. The only systematic synthesis and use of this information thus far has been for the updating of the National Quality Foundation safe practices |
| What actions has AHRQ undertaken for disseminating information and products from the patient safety grants and contracts it has funded? | AHRQ has highlighted results and products from individual projects in communications outreach using multiple media, including Web sites (e.g., PSNet), press releases, newsletters, etc. Most information has not yet been packaged for ready use by providers |
| What systematic programs are in place or under development by AHRQ or other organizations to provide technical support to health care providers for implementing tested patient safety practices? | Two major contributions AHRQ has made to tools have been the patient safety culture surveys and newly released teamwork improvement package. AHRQ has provided some technical support for the survey. The 100,000 Lives Campaign and SCIP have provided primary support for their participants |
| How are AHRQ's dissemination strategy and activities contributing to the growing number of patient safety implementation initiatives being initiated by others? | AHRQ is a partner in all of the major field-based safe practices initiatives, providing a support role as needed, with other organizations taking on the lead roles. These initiatives likely will seek updated information on practices and newly developed tools from AHRQ projects |
| Are patient safety practices and outcomes improving as a result of the cumulative efforts of generating knowledge, testing new practices, building an infrastructure, disseminating knowledge, and providing technical support for implementation? | Providers appear to be starting to implement safer practices, stimulated by field-based initiatives and supported by information and tools generated by AHRQ and its funded projects. The extent of actions is still too small to be having observable effects on outcomes at the national level |
Source: Assessment of the National Patient Safety Initiative: Final Report (Farley et al. 2008).