Focused Outreach Evaluation Report: Providence RI, and Western Maine Health District

Recognizing the need to improve health information outreach to special populations, the National Network of Libraries of Medicine – New England Region (NN/LM NER) targeted its core outreach services in a focused geographic area. The purpose of the focused outreach approach was to increase access to accurate and reliable health information in communities experiencing health disparities; and to collect process and outcomes evaluation data for program improvement. The project was conceptualized in three phases: 1) Community Assessment: a systematic approach to understanding the community and connecting NN/LM NER with community-based organizations serving the targeted population; 2) Focused Outreach Implementation: a tailored approach using the existing promotional framework of NN/LM NER and its resources; and 3) Evaluation: a comprehensive approach to looking at and documenting the process of conducting focused health information outreach and assessing outputs and outcomes as a way of measuring the effectiveness of the model. Two communities were selected for focused outreach – Providence, Rhode Island’s Latino community and rural residents in Western Maine (Androscoggin, Franklin and Oxford Counties)

Template for a Healthcare Knowledge Services Center

IntroductionThe purpose of the HKSC model template is twofold:(1.) to transform the hospital library function into a health care knowledge services center; and(2.) to emphasize the importance of knowledge among health care professionals within the organization.The current information explosion provides the Healthcare Knowledge Services Center (HKSC) with opportunities to become a critical player in organizational information and knowledge management. An HKSC can assist an organization maintain its competitive advantage in the marketplace. The HKSC must become an integral player to the organization if they are to succeed in helping their health care organization realize: 1.) exceptional quality control; 2.) high risk management standards; and 3.) optimum patient safety levels. The emergence of evidence-based practice (EBP) has become paramount to all health care organizations. EBP will provide an HKSC with increased opportunities for wider visibility within the organization.PurposeTo define a sustainable model template for the Healthcare Knowledge Services Center that encompasses transitioning a traditional medical library into a vibrant knowledge services center, integral to the health care organization.Timeline5 years out (2010-2015); pilots (2011-12)Rationale for Making Transition 1.) Knowledge management (KM) provides a positive push forward;2.) KM provides the “bridge” between information and best practice (see Knowledge Pyramid , below);3.) KM supports institutional goals:a.) exceptional quality control;b.) high risk management standards; andc.) optimum patient safety levels; 4.) KM offers health care organizations a competitive edge in market; and5.) KM provides hospital librarians with an ideal window of opportunity to become dynamic players in the confluence of several critical current events:a.) the information explosion;b.) the national push for health care reform;c.) the universal adoption of evidence-based practice; andd.) the emerging trend of self-directed practice , where patients take responsibility for their own personal health (e.g., EHRs)

Knowledge Pyramid

Pyramid image depicting where Knowledge Management fits into the realm of Health Care, created as one part of the Template for a Healthcare Knowledge Services Center