Posted: June 14th, 2023

The connection between Evidence-based practice, EBP and the Quadruple Aim

Healthcare organizations continually seek to optimize healthcare performance. For years, this approach was a three-pronged one known as the Triple Aim, with efforts focused on improved population health, enhanced patient experience, and lower healthcare costs.

More recently, this approach has evolved to a Quadruple Aim by including a focus on improving the work life of healthcare providers. Each of these measures are impacted by decisions made at the organizational level, and organizations have increasingly turned to EBP to inform and justify these decisions.
To Prepare:

Read the articles by Sikka, Morath, & Leape (2015); Crabtree, Brennan, Davis, & Coyle (2016); and Kim et al. (2016) provided in the Resources.
Reflect on how EBP might impact (or not impact) the Quadruple Aim in healthcare.
Consider the impact that EBP may have on factors impacting these quadruple aim elements, such as preventable medical errors or healthcare delivery.
To Complete:
Write a brief analysis (no longer than 2 pages) of the connection between EBP and the Quadruple Aim.
Your analysis should address how EBP might (or might not) help reach the Quadruple Aim, including each of the four measures of:
Patient experience
Population health
Costs
Work life of healthcare providers

RESOURCES
• Melnyk, B. M., & Fineout-Overholt, E. (2018). Evidence-based practice in nursing & healthcare: A guide to best practice (4th ed.). Philadelphia, PA: Wolters Kluwer.
o Chapter 1, “Making the Case for Evidence-Based Practice and Cultivating a Spirit of Inquiry” (pp. 7–32)
• Boller, J. (2017). Nurse educators: Leading health care to the quadruple aim sweet spot.Links to an external site. Journal of Nursing Education, 56(12), 707–708. doi:10.3928/01484834-20171120-01
• Crabtree, E., Brennan, E., Davis, A., & Coyle, A. (2016). Improving patient care through nursing engagement in evidence-based practiceLinks to an external site.. Worldviews on Evidence-Based Nursing, 13(2), 172–175. doi:10.1111/wvn.12126
• Kim, S. C., Stichler, J. F., Ecoff, L., Brown, C. E., Gallo, A.-M., & Davidson, J. E. (2016). Predictors of evidence-based practice implementation, job satisfaction, and group cohesion among regional fellowship program participantsLinks to an external site.. Worldviews on Evidence-Based Nursing, 13(5), 340–348. doi:10.1111/wvn.12171
• Melnyk, B.M., Fineout-Overhold, E., Stillwell, S.B., & Williamson, K.M. (2010). Evidence-based practice step-by-step: The seven steps of evidence-based practiceLinks to an external site.. American Journal of Nursing, 110(1), 51-53.
• Melnyk, B. M., Gallagher-Ford, L., Long, L. E., & Fineout-Overholt, E. (2014). The establishment of evidence-based practice competencies for practicing registered nurses and advanced practice nurses in real-world clinical settings: Proficiencies to improve healthcare quality, reliability, patient outcomes, and costsLinks to an external site.. Worldviews on Evidence-Based Nursing, 11(1), 5–15. doi:10.1111/wvn.12021
• Sikka, R., Morath, J. M., & Leape, L. (2015). The Quadruple Aim: Care, health, cost and meaning in workLinks to an external site.. BMJ Quality & Safety, 24, 608–610. doi:10.1136/bmjqs-2015-004160
• Walden University Library. (n.d.-a).Databases A-Z: NursingLinks to an external site.. Retrieved September 6, 2019, from https://academicguides.waldenu.edu/az.php?s=19981

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Free Sample Answer
The Quadruple Aim in healthcare is a framework that emphasizes four interconnected components: improved patient experience, better population health, lower healthcare costs, and enhanced work life of healthcare providers. EBP is a key strategy for healthcare organizations seeking to achieve these goals.

Patient Experience
EBP can improve the patient experience in several ways. By relying on research-backed practices, healthcare providers can offer more effective treatments, reduce complications, and improve patient satisfaction. For instance, studies have shown that the use of evidence-based protocols for postoperative pain management can improve pain control, reduce opioid use, and lead to higher patient satisfaction.

Population Health
Evidence-based practice (EBP) can have a positive impact on population health outcomes by enabling healthcare providers to implement effective preventive measures, early interventions, and disease management strategies. By using the best available evidence, healthcare providers can ensure that patients receive the most effective treatments, which can lead to improved health outcomes. For example, implementing evidence-based smoking cessation programs can reduce smoking rates and lower the incidence of smoking-related diseases. By focusing on evidence-based interventions, healthcare providers can improve the health of populations and reduce the burden of disease.

Costs: Reducing Waste and Unnecessary Treatments
A primary benefits of EBP is its ability to reduce healthcare costs by minimizing waste and unnecessary treatments. Evidence-based guidelines and interventions have been shown to be effective in improving patient outcomes and reducing the overall cost of care. By utilizing EBP, healthcare providers can make informed decisions about which treatments to provide and which to avoid.
For instance, evidence-based guidelines for antibiotic use can reduce unnecessary prescribing and help combat the growing problem of antibiotic resistance. Overprescribing antibiotics not only leads to increased healthcare costs but also contributes to the development of antibiotic-resistant bacteria, which can lead to more serious and difficult-to-treat infections.
By reducing unnecessary treatments and avoiding ineffective interventions, healthcare providers can improve the value of care and reduce the overall cost of healthcare. This can have a significant impact on healthcare systems, particularly those that struggle with limited resources and rising healthcare expenditures.
Work Life of Healthcare Providers
EBP can also enhance the work life of healthcare providers. By using evidence-based approaches, healthcare providers can feel more confident in their ability to provide high-quality care. This, in turn, can lead to greater job satisfaction and lower rates of burnout. For instance, implementing evidence-based strategies for preventing patient falls can help to reduce the stress and burden on healthcare providers.

Ultimately, evidence-based practice is a key strategy for achieving the Quadruple Aim in healthcare. By relying on the best available evidence, healthcare providers can improve patient experience, population health outcomes, and healthcare costs, while also enhancing the work life of healthcare providers. As healthcare organizations continue to prioritize the Quadruple Aim, EBP will continue to play a critical role in achieving these goals.