Peer Responses:
- Length: A minimum of 180 words per post, not including references
- Citations: At least two high-level scholarly reference in APA per post from within the last 5 years
Week 6 MSN 600
Role of Outcomes in Evaluating Practice Change Through Research
It is imperative to evaluate the role of outcomes through research to ensure that the project or initiative is effective and beneficial to the healthcare system. For instance, evaluating the effectiveness of post-discharge follow-up telephone calls for patients who have undergone cesarean section surgery is essential to ensure that this project is commendable for inclusion in the discharge process and, ultimately, a practice change in the discharge protocol.
Based on research findings, incorporating follow-up discharge telephone calls showed evidence and effectiveness in reducing hospital readmissions (Mwachiro et al., 2019). According to Mwachiro et al. (2019), the study outcomes yielded significant improvements in the length of time out of the hospital compared to patients who did not receive follow-up telephone calls post-discharge; the study also yielded lower readmission in neurosurgery patients where post-discharge telephone calls were conducted. Therefore, based on these findings, this project aims to adapt the process similarly in a maternity unit with analogous goals of lowering readmission rates, improving patient outcomes, and enhancing patient satisfaction.
A comprehensive implementation plan is not just beneficial but crucial for the successful evaluation of outcomes through research. This plan should encompass all aspects of the project, from designing the follow-up call protocol and staff training to collecting baseline data, implementing the plan, using appropriate statistical methods, and evaluating outcomes through quantitative measurements. These measurements, such as the percentage of readmission rates, will be compared to the baseline data to assess the project’s effectiveness. Gathering feedback from patients, families, healthcare providers, and healthcare administrators is also essential to making appropriate adjustments in implementing and evaluating the outcomes of this project.
Reference
Mwachiro, D. M., Baron-Lee, J., & Kates, F. R. (2019). The impact of post-discharge follow-up calls on 30-day hospital readmissions in neurosurgery. Global Journal on Quality and Safety in Healthcare, 2(2), 46. https://doi.org/10.4103/jqsh.jqsh_29_18
