Factors associated with sustainability of 2 quality improvement programs after achieving early implementation success. A qualitative case study

Stephanie M. C. Ament*, Freek Gillissen*, Albine Moser, Jose M. C. Maessen, Carmen D. Dirksen, Maarten F. von Meyenfeldt, Trudy van der Weijden

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleAcademicpeer-review

Abstract

Rationale, aims, and objectivesSustainability of innovations is a relatively new concept in health care research and has become an issue of growing interest. The current study explored factors related to the sustainability of 2 multidisciplinary hospital-based programs 3 to 6years after achieving early implementation success.

MethodAn exploratory qualitative study was conducted into 2 implementation cases, an Enhanced Recovery After Surgery program for colorectal surgery and a short-stay program for breast cancer surgery. Semistructured interviews were held with key persons involved in the care process in 14 hospitals from both cases minimally 3years after the implementation, between March 2012 and May 2013. The Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research was used to direct the development of the interview guide, during data collection and during analysis. A directed content analysis was performed.

ResultsA total of 21 interviews with 26 individuals were held, 18 regarding the Enhanced Recovery After Surgery case and 8 regarding the short-stay program case. Respondents mentioned the following factors associated with sustainability of the programs: modification and adaptability of the program, cost-effectiveness, institutionalization into existing systems, short communication lines within the multidisciplinary team, an innovative culture, benefits for patients, cosmopolitanism, the existence of external policies and incentives, trust and belief in the program, and spread of the program to other settings. Two factors are not covered by the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research, ie, modification of the program over the years and spread of the program to other contexts.

ConclusionsThe factors associated with sustainability put forward in both cases were largely the same. Leadership and the implementation project were not mentioned as having influenced the long-term sustainability of the benefits achieved. Sustainability of the innovations is influenced by determinants stemming from all ecological levels of the health care system and demands continuous effort in the postimplementation phase.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1135-1143
Number of pages9
JournalJournal of Evaluation in Clinical Practice
Volume23
Issue number6
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Dec 2017

Keywords

  • late postimplementation evaluation
  • qualitative research
  • quality improvement
  • sustainability
  • HEALTH-CARE IMPROVEMENT
  • ENHANCED RECOVERY
  • COLONIC SURGERY
  • INNOVATIONS
  • HOSPITALS
  • DIFFUSION
  • FRAMEWORK
  • SERVICES
  • SCIENCE
  • STAY

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