A clinical librarian in a hospital critical care unit may generate a positive return on investment

Ned Hartfiel, Girendra Sadera, Victoria Treadway, Catherine Lawrence, Rhiannon Tudor Edwards

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

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    Abstract

    Background: Timely information provided by clinical librarians can contribute to outcomes such as improved patient care and time savings for hospital staff. What is unknown is the return on investment (ROI) of a clinical librarian on a critical care unit.
    Objective: The aim of this study was to assess the ROI, from the employer perspective, of placing a clinical librarian in a critical care unit in a large UK acute hospital.
    Methods: Using a mixed methods approach, ROI was estimated by comparing the total costs with the total monetised benefits of implementing the clinical librarian intervention. Total costs included salary and equipment costs. Total monetised benefits included time saving for hospital staff, support for professional development and improved patient care.
    Results: When total monetised benefits were compared with total costs, the 15-month clinical librarian intervention generated a positive ROI of £1.18–£3.03 for every £1 invested.
    Discussion: Using outcome measures derived from previous research, this novel study generated promising results indicative for commissioners seeking to improve patient care and deliver value for money. To improve generalisability, multisite studies using standardised ROI tools are recommended.
    Conclusion: Employing a clinical librarian in a critical care unit can generate a positive ROI.
    Original languageEnglish
    Pages (from-to)97-112
    Number of pages16
    JournalHealth Information and Libraries Journal
    Volume38
    Issue number2
    Early online date16 Nov 2020
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - Jun 2021

    Keywords

    • National Health Service(NHS)
    • based practice
    • clinical
    • consultants
    • costs and cost analysis
    • evidence&#8208
    • information services
    • knowledge transfer
    • knowledge translation
    • librarians
    • library and information professionals
    • nurses

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