Implementation mapping to guide adoption of a semi-structured intraoperative anesthesia handoff tool

There frequently exists a gap between known best practices and real-world methods. Closing this gap involves thoughtful implementation, typically involving multiple implementation strategies. Implementation mapping is a technique that links the innovation being implemented with potential barriers to implementation and connects these barriers to the strategies that form the implementation plan. This study demonstrates the application of implementation mapping to guide the adoption of the Epic Health Systems Intraoperative Anesthesia Handoff Report. The objective is to create a comprehensive implementation plan tailored to the anticipated challenges of the local environment. There are five steps in implementation mapping: (1) performing a needs assessment, (2) creating a matrix of change, (3) identifying the mechanisms of change and strategies for change, (4) creating implementation materials, and (5) measuring implementation outcomes. Through the creation of this map, a multi-pronged implementation strategy was created and executed. This implementation plan resulted in high acceptability, appropriateness, and feasibility scores among frontline anesthesia clinicians adopting the intraoperative anesthesia tool. The logical connections between the barriers and the implementation strategies further facilitated changes to the implementation plan as new challenges arose during the implementation process. This study addresses a critical gap in clinical practice by providing a structured approach to implementing best practices in anesthesiology. Implementation mapping can potentially be a valuable technique for guiding quality improvement projects involving implementing new clinical practices in anesthesiology.