The paper reviews the empirical literature on the sustainability of new programs and innovations in healthcare settings, highlighting the lack of comprehensive and methodologically rigorous studies. The review identifies key findings and recommendations for future research. It notes that while many studies focus on initial implementation efforts, fewer examine long-term sustainability. The majority of studies are retrospective and naturalistic, with self-reports and qualitative methods being prevalent. Few studies employ rigorous evaluation methods, and adaptations to interventions are rarely examined. Influences on sustainability include organizational context, capacity, processes, and program characteristics. The paper recommends clearer definitions, more rigorous research designs, and a focus on fidelity and adaptation to advance the field. It suggests that researchers should define sustainability clearly, choose appropriate timeframes, and study the nature of modifications to interventions. Additionally, it emphasizes the importance of identifying core elements and using appropriate conceptual frameworks to guide research.The paper reviews the empirical literature on the sustainability of new programs and innovations in healthcare settings, highlighting the lack of comprehensive and methodologically rigorous studies. The review identifies key findings and recommendations for future research. It notes that while many studies focus on initial implementation efforts, fewer examine long-term sustainability. The majority of studies are retrospective and naturalistic, with self-reports and qualitative methods being prevalent. Few studies employ rigorous evaluation methods, and adaptations to interventions are rarely examined. Influences on sustainability include organizational context, capacity, processes, and program characteristics. The paper recommends clearer definitions, more rigorous research designs, and a focus on fidelity and adaptation to advance the field. It suggests that researchers should define sustainability clearly, choose appropriate timeframes, and study the nature of modifications to interventions. Additionally, it emphasizes the importance of identifying core elements and using appropriate conceptual frameworks to guide research.