Evidence-based Practice Proposal (Implementation Plan)
Central to a successful program is an implementation plan developed prior to the initiation of the institutionalization process of the project.In essence, this paper seeks to develop an implementation plan for a diabetes self-management education (DSME) program geared to improve the glycemic control among elderly persons living with diabetes and seeking medical interventions at Cornerstone Family Healthcare. At the heart of this plan are various aspects, namely, the setting description, timeline for implementation, resource requirement, implementation monitoring, delivery process, data collection, solution to challenges, as well as project feasibility and maintenance.
Description
Primarily, the setting of interest for the project implementation is Cornerstone Family Healthcare. Cornerstone Family Healthcare is a multicultural a non-profit organization that has the license of operating as a Diagnostic and Treatment Center in the State of New York. Its mission statement envisions providingquality, comprehensive, basic and preventative healthcare services to its clients in the surrounding community in a caring, respectful and dignified manner. Mainly, Cornerstone Family Healthcare is responsive to the needs of persons it servesregardless of the sex, sexual orientation, racial, economical and ethnical backgrounds(Cornerstone Family Healthcare, 2017).
Before the project implementation, thedevelopers will seek approval from the Institution Review Boards of both the University and Cornerstone Family Healthcare for the commencement of the project.
Timeline
Worth noting in the implementation plan is the amount of time for complete implementation of the DSME program. Full completion of this study will approximately take a time frame of one year, which will successfully account for all the needed activities for the completion of this project.
Resource Requirement
Of significance to the successful completion of this project are the required resources that are worth mention. The necessaryresources include separate examination room,large space to conduct the educational meetings, computer, projector,printer, ink, paper screen, whiteboard and lock box. Precisely, these resources need no budget given that theyare readily available within the healthcare organization. Primarily, the education material will be from American Association of Diabetes Educator 7 (AADE7) Self-carebehaviors curriculum, which is free of charge for AADE members. Finally, the required human resource for this project are mainly the healthcare personnel that work in this organization.
Monitoring
Project monitoring during the implementation phase is also necessary since it enables one to establish if the project implementation is on the right path. In this case, the instrument that will help individuals in the monitoring of the proposed solution implementation is questionnaire based on the AADE7 self-care behaviors (health eating, being active, monitoring, taking medication, problem solving, healthy coping, and reducing risks). Evidence about the existence of these self-care behaviors will highlight the maintenance of a proper direction in the implementation of the project.
Delivery Process
Concisely, the implementation of the proposed solution will be in phases. The activities undertaken in these phases include recruitment of participants, training of nurse manager on how to review charts indicating the eligibility of participants as per the set inclusion criteriaand preparation of education packets as well as copies of consent. .
Data Collection
Central to the collection of data relating to the adopted self-behaviors is the developed questionnaire based on the AADE7 self-care behaviors. Notwithstanding, the hospital medical records will be essential for the determination of HbA1C levels before the project initiation.The maintenance of confidentiality and privacy the collected data will be achievable through collection of data without patient identifiers and feeding of the data into a password-protected computer database with security controls.Also, locking all the filled questionnaire into file cabinet will also assure confidentiality. As for the data analysis and interpretation of the results, the descriptive statistics will come in handy for the accomplishment of these objectives.
Overcoming Challenges
Primarily, the anticipated barriers that one must overcome for smooth implementation of the project include partial administrative support for the EBP movement and limited number of EBP champions among the physician and nurse educators within this organization. In overcoming these challenges, the project coordinators will devote more time in demystifying the key stakeholders’ misconceptions and solicitingfor support of the project among the physician and nurse educators by creating awareness about this program (Hirschman, et al., 2015). Such strategies will ensure an increase in the level of administrative support and input from physicians and nurse educators.
Addressing Obstacles/Resistance
According to Williams, (2014), resistance to change is an expected phenomenon due to reasons such as fear of the unknown, and the associated consequences. As such, change management is necessary for the attainment of smooth project implementation. In this case, the project developers will address the resistance to change through devotionof more time in demystifying the key stakeholders’ misconceptions and soliciting their support of the project.
Project Feasibility
In consideration of the resources needed for project completion, this DSME program is feasible. That is for sure given that the required resources are readily available in the organization, which means little or almost no additional cost will be incurred.
Maintenance, Extension, Revision and Discontinuation of the Project
Upon implementation of this project, the coordinators will review the program for its impact on the glycemic control among elderly persons living with diabetes. An improved glycemic control will warrant the maintenance of the program within the organization and its utilization for the unforeseeable future. Moreover, the success of the project will also inform the need of extending the project to other areas. However, the failure to improve the glycemic control will also necessitate revision or total discontinuation of the project.
Conclusion
Concisely, this paper aimed at developing an implementation plan for a diabetes self-management education program geared to improve the glycemic control among elderly persons living with diabetes and seeking medical interventions at Cornerstone Family Healthcare. Indeed, the discussion has managed to achieve this objective by addressing all the necessary elements for the successful project implementation. An implication drawn from this discussion is the need for developing an implementation plan before the initiation of a project. In the absence of such a consideration, failure of projects is inevitable.
References
Cornerstone Family Healthcare. (2017). Family Healthcare Practice | Cornerstone Family Healthcare | New York | Cornerstone Family Healthcare. Cornerstonefamilyhealthcare.org. Retrieved 15September 2017, from http://www.cornerstonefamilyhealthcare.org/about-cornerstone/
Hirschman, K., Shaid, E., McCauley, K., Pauly, M., Naylor, M. (2015). Continuity of care: the
transitional care model. The Online Journal of Issues in Nursing, 20(3). DOI: 10.3912/OJIN.Vol20No03Man01
Williams, S. L. (2014). Promoting behavior changes in patients with type 2 diabetes through shared medical appointments. The University of Southern Mississippi.
