Using a "Kickoff" to build implementation partner teams and action plans for active implementation of a quality improvement project.

Baird SA, Damush TM, Rattray NA, Penney LS, Miech EJ, Homoya BJ, Ferguson J, Myers LJ, Bravata DM. Using a "Kickoff" to build implementation partner teams and action plans for active implementation of a quality improvement project. Frontiers in Health Services. 2025 Jun 10; 5(1):1580653, DOI: 10.3389/frhs.2025.1580653.

Dimensions for VA is a web-based tool available to VA staff that enables detailed searches of published research and research projects.

If you have VA-Intranet access, click here for more information vaww.hsrd.research.va.gov/dimensions/

VA staff not currently on the VA network can access Dimensions by registering for an account using their VA email address.    Search Dimensions for VA for this citation
* Don't have VA-internal network access or a VA email address? Try searching the free-to-the-public version of Dimensions

Search for Abstract from PubMed

---

Abstract:

INTRODUCTION: A strategy for transitioning implementation successfully from pre-implementation to active implementation is to hold a team "kickoff." The objectives of this manuscript are: (1) to present the frameworks that guided the development of the Protocol-guided Rapid Evaluation of Veterans Experiencing New Transient neurological symptoms (PREVENT) kickoff strategy, (2) describe design elements of the kickoff and how they contribute to achieving PREVENT kickoff aims; forming teams, developing an action plan, and launching active implementation (3) examine the perceived usefulness of those kickoff design elements toward achieving kickoff aims. METHODS: PREVENT was a stepped-wedge trial to improve the quality of Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA) care at six Veterans Affairs (VA) medical centers. The PREVENT kickoff was designed from multiple frameworks: theory of change principles for process improvement; Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR); social learning models; and systems redesign. Data collected included pre-kickoff planning documents and post-kickoff debriefs from the PREVENT national team, Audience Response System (ARS) data, post-kickoff site participant evaluations and semi-structured interviews. RESULTS: Site team participants reflected positively on the framework driven, interactive and interpersonal design elements, team building, and action plan exercises, and found them useful for a successful project launch. In-person and hybrid set-up of the kickoff, interactive elements, and team formation activities emphasized the quality problem, and motivated site implementation providers to plan for stroke/TIA care improvement. CONCLUSIONS: Implementation team kickoffs during pre-implementation are a useful approach to inform and engage local clinical teams and to form plans for practice changes to improve clinical care. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: clinicaltrials.gov, identifier NCT02769338.