Volume 75, Issue 4 pp. 353-362
Health Services Evaluation

Prospective application of an implementation framework to improve postoperative nutrition care processes: Evaluation of a mixed methods implementation study

Angela Byrnes

Corresponding Author

Angela Byrnes

Centre for Dietetics Research, School of Human Movement and Nutrition Sciences, University of Queensland (UQ), St Lucia, Queensland, Australia

Nutrition and Dietetics Department, Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital (RBWH), Brisbane, Queensland, Australia

Correspondence: A. Byrnes, School of Human Movement and Nutrition Sciences, University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia. Tel: +61 07 3365 6240.

Email: [email protected]

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Adrienne Young

Adrienne Young

Nutrition and Dietetics Department, Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital (RBWH), Brisbane, Queensland, Australia

School of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia

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Alison Mudge

Alison Mudge

Internal Medicine and Aged Care Department, Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital (RBWH), Brisbane, Queensland, Australia

Institute for Health and Biomedical Innovation, Queensland University of Technology (QUT), Brisbane, Queensland, Australia

School of Medicine, University of Queensland (UQ), St Lucia, Queensland, Australia

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Merrilyn Banks

Merrilyn Banks

Nutrition and Dietetics Department, Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital (RBWH), Brisbane, Queensland, Australia

School of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia

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David Clark

David Clark

School of Medicine, University of Queensland (UQ), St Lucia, Queensland, Australia

Surgical and Perioperative Services, Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital (RBWH), Brisbane, Queensland, Australia

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Judy Bauer

Judy Bauer

Centre for Dietetics Research, School of Human Movement and Nutrition Sciences, University of Queensland (UQ), St Lucia, Queensland, Australia

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First published: 28 August 2018
Citations: 22
A. Byrnes, APD, BHlthSc(Nutr&Diet), PhD Candidate
A. Young, PhD, APD, Research Coordinator
A. Mudge, PhD, FRACP, Clinical Director Research and Education
M. Banks, PhD, AdvAPD, Director
D. Clark, FRCSEd, FRACS, Consultant Surgeon
J. Bauer, PhD, FDAA, Associate Professor

Abstract

Aim

To describe prospective application of an implementation framework to guide and evaluate a quality improvement (QI) project to improve adherence to evidence-based postoperative diet guidelines (consistent with Enhanced Recovery After Surgery, ERAS) in older surgical patients.

Methods

A hybrid mixed methods study guided by the integrated Promoting Action on Research Implementation in Health Services (i-PARIHS) framework was used. A pre-implementation audit identified gaps in nutrition-related care practices against ERAS guidelines for older surgical patients. Qualitative interviews explored barriers to practice change, informing development of the facilitated implementation strategy. Iterative facilitation interventions were identified by field notes and classified using i-PARIHS facilitator's tool-kit. Post-implementation audit measured implementation outcomes, and clinical processes and outcomes using controlled before–after comparative study.

Results

Implementation involved 17 discrete facilitation activities. Early postoperative diet upgrade was acceptable, well adopted (79%) and appropriate for 89% of patients. Fidelity (i.e. protocol delivered as intended) was 59%, with loss of fidelity primarily because of incorrect diet codes. Clinical processes and outcome evaluation (n = 155) compared data pre-implementation (intervention: n = 45, control: n = 27; mean age 73 (SD 6) years, 60% male) and post-implementation (intervention: n = 47, control: n = 36; mean age 74 (SD 6) years, 57% male). Patients on the intervention ward had higher odds of receiving early nutrition post-implementation (adjusted odds ratio [95% CI]: 6.5 [1.9–22.4], P = 0.01).

Conclusions

Prospective application of an implementation framework supported planning and successful implementation in this QI project. Multi-level evaluation of facilitation strategies, implementation outcomes, and clinical processes and outcomes helps to understand areas of success and continuing challenges.

Conflict of interest

The authors declare they have no conflicts of interest to disclose.

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