Making a Case for DRIVE Participation – COVID‑19
Champions cannot implement DRIVE by themselves—they also need to develop a case for other individuals to participate. This can be accomplished through ensuring alignment, impact, and ease of implementation:
Alignment
Communicate a sound rationale to decision makers that is in sync with their health/medical/public health incentives or their desire to prioritize a specific issue or policy. In accordance, a Champion could make a case to their supervisor and address certain points that align with what their supervisors are already seeking.
Impact
Highlight the effect and significant positive results that ensue from the implementation of a DRIVE program.
Ease of Implementation
Reinforce that the DRIVE program has a simple and effective format that will greatly enhance local health outcomes and practice effectiveness.
Below are examples and sample questions that may provide context for these 3 aspects of a DRIVE program focused on COVID-19:
Alignment
- What are COVID-19 testing criteria?
- Who is providing COVID-19 vaccinations in the community? Who is currently eligible to receive a COVID-19 vaccination?
- Are monoclonal antibodies available in the community?
Impact
- What are the priorities of the community in facing COVID-19 (eg, safe return to schooling, vaccine access, social distancing and transmission reduction tactics)?
- Is there a specific focus on priority communities who may be disparately impacted?
- Is there easy access to vaccinations (eg, vaccine sites, adequate and equitable access to technology required to register for vaccine appointments)?
Implementation
- Appropriate implementation of a COVID-19 quality improvement (QI) project ensures alignment of COVID-19 practices with public health policy and guidelines
- QI plans in clinical practices should address the constraints under which the staff are operating, such as reduced staffing, protecting patients and staff from exposure, providing resources to educate staff and patients, supporting telehealth implementation for staff and patients, etc
- Two-way communications that involve the patients and community leaders in planning through evaluation are critical for the success of any QI plans
DRIVE success factors
The success of the DRIVE program can be achieved by taking into account:
- Strong communication lines and internal alignment
- Clear organizational commitment to the project and sustainable improvement
- Shared understanding of project, goals, and data
- Positive reinforcement for participants
- Flexibility and creativity in meeting the challenges of implementation
- Commitment to sustain better health outcomes in the community