Goal: Practice consistently uses evidence -based protocols or care maps where appropriate to improve patient care and safety.

Strategies

• Develop evidence-based protocols in house or use those externally available
• Document protocols through flow sheets, process maps, care maps, swim lanes or other visual depiction
• Invite visiting faculty in academic settings to learn protocols embedded in HER
• Use protocols to guide communication with patients and families after a patient safety event
• Embed protocols in the EMR
• Use condition-specific pathways for care of chronic conditions (e.g., hypertension, diabetes, depression, asthma and heart failure) with evidence-based protocols to guide treatment to target

Resources

APF Care Algorithms

ACP Hypertension Diagnosis and Initial Mgmt

Site: Ask Suicide-Screening Questions (ASQ) Toolkit

ASCVD Risk Estimator

Site: Prevent Diabetes Stat

Diabetes Management Guidelines - Foot Exam

Cochrane Library

Home Health Infection Prevention

VA/DoD Clinical Practice Guidelines

American College of Cardiology - Guidelines