A clinical librarian in a hospital critical care unit may generate a positive return on investment
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In: Health Information and Libraries Journal, Vol. 38, No. 2, 06.2021, p. 97-112.
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
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TY - JOUR
T1 - A clinical librarian in a hospital critical care unit may generate a positive return on investment
AU - Hartfiel, Ned
AU - Sadera, Girendra
AU - Treadway, Victoria
AU - Lawrence, Catherine
AU - Edwards, Rhiannon Tudor
N1 - Health Education England Wirral University Teaching Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
PY - 2021/6
Y1 - 2021/6
N2 - 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.
AB - 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.
KW - National Health Service(NHS)
KW - based practice
KW - clinical
KW - consultants
KW - costs and cost analysis
KW - evidence‐
KW - information services
KW - knowledge transfer
KW - knowledge translation
KW - librarians
KW - library and information professionals
KW - nurses
U2 - 10.1111/hir.12332
DO - 10.1111/hir.12332
M3 - Article
VL - 38
SP - 97
EP - 112
JO - Health Information and Libraries Journal
JF - Health Information and Libraries Journal
SN - 1471-1842
IS - 2
ER -