In a qualitative analysis of the PRIM-ER pilot study, receiving the support of institutional leadership and leveraging existing institutional processes emerged as keys to successfully implementing the study intervention.

The results of the analysis were published last week in the Journal of General Internal Medicine.

PRIM-ER, an NIH Collaboratory Trial, is a stepped-wedge cluster randomized clinical trial that will test a multidisciplinary primary palliative care intervention consisting of education, clinical decision support, and other elements in a diverse mix of emergency departments in the United States. The intervention is intended to improve the delivery of goal-directed emergency care of older adults.

In the pilot study, the research team launched the intervention in 2 emergency departments. The purpose of the qualitative analysis was to measure and evaluate the reach and effectiveness of the intervention. Both sites in the pilot study achieved a high level of reach, or intervention completeness. The intervention’s effectiveness—in terms the success of its implementation—was enhanced by support from institutional leadership and use of the sites’ existing processes for quality improvement. The findings will guide the research team as they implement the intervention at additional study sites.

PRIM-ER is supported within the NIH Collaboratory by a cooperative agreement from the National Institute on Aging. Read more about PRIM-ER.