title: Classifying the effectiveness of Veterans Affairs guideline implementation approaches.
abstract: Hospitals use numerous guideline implementation approaches with varying success. Approaches have been classified as consistently, variably, or minimally effective, with multiple approaches being most effective. This project assesses the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) use of effective guideline implementation approaches. A survey of 123 VA quality managers assessed the approaches used to implement the chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, diabetes mellitus, congestive heart failure, and major depressive disorder guidelines. Approaches were categorized based on their effectiveness, and the total number of approaches used was calculated. Commonly used approaches were clinical meetings, summaries, and revised forms. Consistently and minimally effective approaches were used most frequently. Most hospitals used 4-7 approaches. Odds ratios demonstrated that consistently effective approaches were paired with minimally and variably effective approaches. The frequent use of consistently effective approaches and multiple approaches benefits VA adherence. However, VA hospitals should consider selective combinations of approaches to ensure the use of the most effective implementation methods.
authors.affiliation: Center for Research in the Implementation of Innovative Strategies in Practice, Iowa City Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Iowa City, IA 52246, USA. bootsmillerb@mail.medicine.uiowa.edu
authors.forename: Bonnie J
authors.initials: BJ
authors.lastname: BootsMiller
authors.forename: Jon W
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Yankey
authors.forename: Stephen D
authors.initials: SD
authors.lastname: Flach
authors.forename: Marcia M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Ward
authors.forename: Thomas E
authors.initials: TE
authors.lastname: Vaughn
authors.forename: Karl F
authors.initials: KF
authors.lastname: Welke
authors.forename: Bradley N
authors.initials: BN
authors.lastname: Doebbeling
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D003865:Major Depressive Disorder; D003920:Diabetes Mellitus; D005260:Female; D019983:Guideline Adherence; D006333:Heart Failure; D006787:Hospitals, Veterans / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D029424:Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive; D011787:Quality of Health Care; D014481:United States