Using Medical Student Quality Improvement Projects to Promote Evidence-Based Care in the Emergency Department.

Authors

Michael W Manning, USF MCOM-LVHN CampusFollow
Eric W. Bean DO, Lehigh Valley Health NetworkFollow
Andrew C. Miller DO, Lehigh Valley Health NetworkFollow
Suzanne J. Templer DO, Lehigh Valley Health NetworkFollow
Richard S. MacKenzie MD, Lehigh Valley Health NetworkFollow
David M. Richardson MD, Lehigh Valley Health NetworkFollow
Kristin A. Bresnan MD, Lehigh Valley Health NetworkFollow
Marna R. Greenberg DO, MPH, FACEP, Lehigh Valley Health NetworkFollow

Publication/Presentation Date

1-1-2018

Abstract

Introduction: The Association of American Medical Colleges' (AAMC) initiative for Core Entrustable Professional Activities for Entering Residency includes as an element of Entrustable Professional Activity 13 to "identify system failures and contribute to a culture of safety and improvement." We set out to determine the feasibility of using medical students' action learning projects (ALPs) to expedite implementation of evidence-based pathways for three common patient diagnoses in the emergency department (ED) setting (Atrial fibrillation, congestive heart failure, and pulmonary embolism).

Methods: These prospective quality improvement (QI) initiatives were performed over six months in three Northeastern PA hospitals. Emergency physician mentors were recruited to facilitate a QI experience for third-year medical students for each project. Six students were assigned to each mentor and given class time and network infrastructure support (information technology, consultant experts in lean management) to work on their projects. Students had access to background network data that revealed potential for improvement in disposition (home) for patients.

Results: Under the leadership of their mentors, students accomplished standard QI processes such as performing the background literature search and assessing key stakeholders' positions that were involved in the respective patient's care. Students effectively developed flow diagrams, computer aids for clinicians and educational programs, and participated in recruiting champions for the new practice standard. They met with other departmental clinicians to determine barriers to implementation and used this feedback to help set specific parameters to make clinicians more comfortable with the changes in practice that were recommended. All three clinical practice guidelines were initiated at consummation of the students' projects. After implementation, 86% (38/44) of queried ED providers felt comfortable with medical students being a part of future ED QI initiatives, and 84% (26/31) of the providers who recalled communicating with students on these projects felt they were effective.

Conclusion: Using this novel technique of aligning small groups of medical students with seasoned mentors, it is feasible for medical students to learn important aspects of QI implementation and allows for their engagement to more efficiently move evidence-based medicine from the literature to the bedside.

Volume

19

Issue

1

First Page

148

Last Page

157

ISSN

1936-9018

Published In/Presented At

Manning, M. W., Bean, E. W., Miller, A. C., Templer, S. J., Mackenzie, R. S., Richardson, D. M., & ... Greenberg, M. R. (2018). Using Medical Student Quality Improvement Projects to Promote Evidence-Based Care in the Emergency Department. The Western Journal Of Emergency Medicine, 19(1), 148-157. doi:10.5811/westjem.2017.9.35163

Disciplines

Emergency Medicine | Family Medicine | Internal Medicine | Medical Education | Medicine and Health Sciences

PubMedID

29383073

Department(s)

Department of Emergency Medicine, Department of Emergency Medicine Faculty, Department of Family Medicine, Department of Family Medicine Faculty, USF-LVHN SELECT Program, USF-LVHN SELECT Program Students

Document Type

Article