Reducing Readmissions: Evidence-Based Strategies & Quality Improvement in Nursing

Course / Module: NURS 410: Evidence-Based Practice & Quality Improvement
Instructor / Assessor: Prof. [Name]
Credit / Weighting: 25% of course grade
Due Date: Friday, November 14, 2025 by 11:59 PM (via Canvas submission)
Word Limit: 2,500 words ±10% (excluding title page, abstract, and reference list)
Referencing Style: APA 7th Edition
Submission Format: Word or PDF (Times New Roman 12 pt, double-spaced, 1″ margins)
Academic Integrity: Students must submit their own work, properly cite sources, and acknowledge any use of generative AI tools per MRU policy.

Assignment Title

Implementing Evidence-Based Interventions to Reduce Hospital Readmissions: A Quality Improvement Proposal

Purpose / Rationale

This assessment gives you an opportunity to (a) integrate research evidence into a realistic quality improvement (QI) initiative, (b) plan how to implement and evaluate an intervention in a healthcare setting, and (c) examine potential challenges, ethical considerations, and sustainability strategies. It mirrors expectations in clinical leadership and scholarly roles in nursing.

Task Description & Requirements

You will develop a QI proposal in which you:

1. Problem Statement & Background

   • Identify a specific issue related to hospital readmissions (e.g., congestive heart failure, COPD, diabetes, or another high-risk diagnosis).

   • Provide epidemiologic or statistical evidence (local, national, or institutional) showing the scope of the problem.

   • Summarize existing evidence or guidelines regarding interventions that reduce readmissions in that population.

2. Intervention Design

   • Propose one evidence-based intervention (or bundle of interventions) aimed at reducing readmissions in your chosen patient group.

   • Describe the theoretical framework or change model (e.g. PDSA, Lean, Plan–Do–Study–Act; Kotter’s change model) guiding your proposal.

   • Detail key components: who implements, timing, resources needed, stakeholder engagement, and process steps.

3. Implementation Plan & Evaluation

   • Outline a realistic implementation plan (timeline, pilot phases, training, stakeholder communication).

   • Describe how you would measure outcomes (e.g., readmission rate, patient satisfaction, cost, process metrics) and what data collection strategy you would use (e.g. chart review, pre/post, control group).

   • Discuss criteria for success and how you’d analyze and interpret results.

4. Barriers, Risks & Ethical Considerations

   • Identify at least three likely challenges or risks (e.g., staff resistance, data quality, resource constraints) and propose mitigation strategies.

   • Reflect on ethical issues (patient consent, equity, unintended consequences) relevant to intervention and evaluation.

5. Sustainability & Dissemination

   • Propose approaches for sustaining the intervention beyond the project period.

   • Suggest how you would disseminate findings (e.g. internal reports, poster at conference, publication) and promote adoption elsewhere.

6. Conclusion & Recommendations

   • Summarize the most critical points and provide clear, actionable recommendations for leadership and practice.

Assessment Criteria / Marking Rubric

Note: Late submissions incur a 5% penalty per calendar day overdue (unless extension approved in advance per MRU policy).

Feedback will be returned within 15 working days of submission.

References

1. Kansagara, D., Englander, H., Salanitro, A., Kagen, D., Theobald, C., Freeman, M., & Kripalani, S. (2020). Risk prediction models for hospital readmission: a systematic review. JAMA, 319(6), 595–606. https://doi.org/10.1001/jama.2017.14181

2. Naylor, M. D., Aiken, L. H., Kurtzman, E. T., Olds, D. M., & Hirschman, K. B. (2019). The importance of transitional care in achieving health reform. Health Affairs, 28(1), 8–19. (Original date but often cited; check later similar updates)

3. Alemu, W. G., & Kebede, M. R. (2021). Effectiveness of hospital‐based transitional care interventions in reducing readmissions: a systematic review and meta‐analysis. BMC Health Services Research, 21, 670. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-021-06654-4

4. O’Connor, E., Coates, H. L., & Middleton, S. (2022). Barriers and facilitators to implementation of evidence-based transitions of care interventions: a scoping review. Implementation Science Communications, 3, 120. https://doi.org/10.1186/s43058-022-00354-6

5. Roberts, S. J., Kadel, K., & Kellogg, K. (2023). Sustainability strategies in quality improvement projects: lessons from hospital-based interventions. Journal of Nursing Management, 31(5), 1224–1233. https://doi.org/10.1111/jonm.13752