27 Jun High-Performance Work Practices Can Reduce Central Line Infections
MedicalResearch.com Interview with:
Ann Scheck McAlearney, Sc.D., M.S.
Professor, Family Medicine
Vice Chair for Research, Department of Family Medicine
College of Medicine Ohio State University
Columbus, Ohio
MedicalResearch: What is the background for this study? What are the main findings?
Dr. McAlearney: In this study, we sought to explore the potential role high-performance work practices (HPWPs) may play in explaining differences in the success of central line-associated blood stream infection (CLABSI) reduction efforts involving otherwise similar organizations and approaches. We analyzed data from 194 key informant interviews across eight hospitals participating in the federally funded ‘‘On the CUSP: Stop BSI’’ initiative. We found evidence that at sites more successful at reducing central line-associated blood stream infection, HPWPs facilitated the adoption and consistent application of practices known to prevent CLABSIs; these HPWPs were virtually absent at lower performing sites.
In this paper we present examples of management practices and illustrative quotes categorized into four HPWP subsystems:
(a) staff engagement,
(b) staff acquisition/development,
c) frontline empowerment, and
(d) leadership alignment/development.
MedicalResearch: What should clinicians and patients take away from your report?
Dr. McAlearney: We present the high-performance work practices model as an organizing framework that can be applied to facilitate quality and patient safety improvement efforts in health care. Managers and senior leaders can use these four HPWP subsystems to select, prioritize, and communicate about management practices critical to the success of their CLABSI prevention efforts.
MedicalResearch: What recommendations do you have for future research as a result of this study?
Dr. McAlearney: Future research in larger and more diverse samples will allow for quantitative analyses of associations between high-performance work practices and central line-associated blood stream infections and other healthcare-associated infection (HAI) outcomes. There is also an important future opportunity to reexamine these hospitals’ management practices and central line-associated blood stream infection prevention efforts to improve our understanding about what may promote sustainability and success with respect to improved HAI outcomes over time.
Citation:
[wysija_form id=”3″]
Ann Scheck McAlearney, Sc.D., M.S., Professor, Family Medicine, & Vice Chair for Research, Department of Family Medicine (2015). High-Performance Work Practices Can Reduce Central Line Infections
Last Updated on July 17, 2015 by Marie Benz MD FAAD