Final answer:
Quality Improvement (QI) studies focus on improving healthcare practices and differ from research studies, which seek to generate new knowledge. Outcomes of QI studies can be used to inform changes in practice by analyzing both quantitative and qualitative data and standardizing effective interventions. Citing these findings in APA format ensures credibility and proper attribution.
Step-by-step explanation:
Quality Improvement (QI) studies and research studies differ in their goals, processes, and outcomes. QI studies focus on continuous improvement of processes within a healthcare setting to improve patient outcomes, and they're characterized by cycles of planning, implementation, measurement, and adjustment. Research studies, in contrast, seek to generate new knowledge or validate existing knowledge based on hypothesis testing and rigorous study design. The outcomes of a QI study can be used to inform changes in practice by identifying effective interventions and strategies that lead to improved healthcare quality and efficiency. These changes are often evidence-based and directly applicable to the specific context in which they were tested.
To inform a change in practice based on a QI study, a healthcare provider would analyze the qualitative and quantitative data collected, looking at both measurable results and observational data, to evaluate the efficacy of the process changes. If the QI study results indicate an improvement in outcomes, these can be standardized as part of the regular practice. However, it's important to cite these findings in accordance with APA format to ensure credibility and proper attribution. For example, if a QI study demonstrated a reduction in patient falls following the implementation of a new protocol, healthcare providers would adopt this protocol in their routine care.