Data Management for Quality Improvement: How to Collect and Manage Data

Research, Evidence-Based Practice, and Quality Improvement Simplified

Is the research process different than evidence-based practice and quality improvement, or is it the same? Scattered evidence and misperceptions regarding research, evidence-based practice, and quality improvement make the answer unclear among nurses. This article clarifies and simplifies the three processes for frontline clinical nurses and nurse leaders. The three processes are described and discussed to give the reader standards for differentiating one from the other. The similarities and differences are highlighted, and examples are provided for contextualization of the methods. [J Contin Educ Nurs. 2023;54(1):40-48.].

Gift of time: learning together to embed a palliative approach to care in long-term care

Background

Embedding a Palliative Approach to Care (EPAC) is a model that helps shift the culture in long-term care (LTC) so that residents who could benefit from palliative care are identified early. Healthcare Excellence Canada supported the implementation of EPAC in seven teams from across Canada between August 2018 and September 2019.

Objective

To identify effective strategies for supporting the early identification of palliative care needs to improve the quality of life of residents in LTC.

Intervention

Training methods on the EPAC model included a combination of face-to-face education (national and regional workshops), online learning (webinars and access to an online platform) and expert coaching. Each team adapted EPAC based on their organisational context and jurisdictional requirements for advance care planning.

Measures

Teams tracked their progress by collecting monthly data on the number of residents who died, date of their most recent goals of care (GOCs) conversation, location of death and number of emergency department (ED) transfers in the last 3 months of life. Teams also shared their implementation strategies including successes, barriers and lessons.

Results

Implementation of EPAC required leadership support and dedicated time for changing how palliative care is perceived in LTC. Based on 409 resident deaths, 89% (365) had documented GOC conversations; 78% (318) had no transfers to the ED within the last 3 months of life; and 81% (333) died at home. A monthly review of the results showed that teams were having earlier GOC conversations with residents. Teams also reported improvements in the quality of care provided to residents and their families.

Conclusion

EPAC was successfully adapted and adopted to the organisational contexts of homes participating in the collaborative.