Implementing evidence-based practice: effectiveness of a structured multifaceted mentorship programme

Well-Being and the Social Environment of Work: A Systematic Review of Intervention Studies

There is consistent evidence that a good social environment in the workplace is associated with employee well-being. However, there has been no specific review of interventions to improve well-being through improving social environments at work. We conducted a systematic review of such interventions, and also considered performance as an outcome. We found eight studies of interventions. Six studies were of interventions that were based on introducing shared social activities into workgroups. Six out of the six studies demonstrated improvements in well-being across the sample (five studies), or for an identifiable sub-group (one study). Four out of the five studies demonstrated improvements in social environments, and four out of the five studies demonstrated improvements in indicators of performance. Analysis of implementation factors indicated that the interventions based on shared activities require some external facilitation, favorable worker attitudes prior to the intervention, and several different components. We found two studies that focused on improving fairness perceptions in the workplace. There were no consistent effects of these interventions on well-being or performance. We conclude that there is some evidence that interventions that increase the frequency of shared activities between workers can improve worker well-being and performance. We offer suggestions for improving the evidence base.

Beliefs, Knowledge, Implementation, and Integration of Evidence-Based Practice Among Primary Health Care Providers: Protocol for a Scoping Review

Background

The adoption of evidence-based practice (EBP) is promoted because it is widely recognized for improving the quality and safety of health care for patients, and reducing avoidable costs. Providers of primary care face numerous challenges to ensuring the effectiveness of their daily practices. Primary health care is defined as: the entry level into a health care services system, providing a first point of contact for all new needs and problems; patient-focused (not disease-oriented) care over time; care for all but the most uncommon or unusual conditions; and coordination or integration of care, regardless of where or by whom that care is delivered. Primary health care is the principal means by which to approach the main goal of any health care services system: optimization of health status.

Objective

This review aims to scope publications examining beliefs, knowledge, implementation, and integration of EBPs among primary health care providers (HCPs).

Methods

We will conduct a systematic scoping review of published articles in the following electronic databases, from their start dates until March 31, 2017: Medical Literature Analysis and Retrieval System Online (MEDLINE) via PubMed (from 1946), Embase (from 1947), Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL; from 1937), the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL; from 1992), PsycINFO (from 1806), Web of Science (from 1900), Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) database (from 1998), Database of Abstracts of Reviews of Effects (DARE; from 1996), Trip medical database (from 1997), and relevant professional scientific journals (from their start dates). We will use the predefined search terms of, “evidence-based practice” and, “primary health care” combined with other terms, such as, “beliefs”, “knowledge”, “implementation”, and “integration”. We will also conduct a hand search of the bibliographies of all relevant articles and a search for unpublished studies using Google Scholar, ProQuest, Mednar, and WorldCat. We will consider publications in English, French, Spanish, and Portuguese.

Results

The electronic database searches were completed in April 2017. Retrieved articles are currently being screened, and the entire study is expected to be completed by November 2017.

Conclusions

This systematic scoping review will provide a greater understanding of the beliefs, knowledge, implementation, and integration of EBPs among primary HCPs. The findings will inform clinical practice and help to draw a global picture of the EBP research topics that are relevant to primary care providers.

Effects of Education Programs on Evidence-Based Practice Implementation for Clinical Nurses

This study was conducted to identify the effectiveness of an education program for evidence-based practice (EBP) implementation of clinical nursing. EBP knowledge/skill, attitude, and belief; information search ability; and EBP implementation were significantly higher in the experimental group than in the control group. Furthermore, the effect on implementation was maintained at week 4 and week 8, indicating that the education program practically promotes the EBP implementation of nurses. Results confirm that the education program for EBP implementation is critical and the continuous education program is an essential part of EBP implementation. Also, to promote EBP implementation and disseminate it to nursing organizations, an immediate concern should be the cultivation of mentors for EBP and fortification of the belief and ability regarding EBP implementation. J Contin Educ Nurs. 2016;47(8):363-371.

Graduate nurses' evaluation of mentorship: Development of a new tool

AIM

Develop and test an instrument to measure graduate-nurses' perceptions of a structured mentorship program.

BACKGROUND

New graduate nurses may experience difficulties in the transition from student to practitioner. Mentoring is commonly used to support graduates. However, there is a lack of published tools measuring graduate nurses' perceptions of mentorship. As mentoring is resource intensive, development and testing of a validated tool are important to assist in determining program effectiveness.

METHODS

A pretest-posttest interventional design was used. Following a critical review of literature and content experts' input, the 10-item National University Hospital Mentorship Evaluation (NUH ME) instrument was tested with a convenience sample of 83 graduate nurses. Psychometric tests included internal reliability, stability, content validity, and factor analysis. Changed scores were evaluated using paired samples t-test.

RESULTS

Seventy-three graduates (88%) out of a possible 83 completed the pre-and post-program survey. Internal reliability was excellent with a Cronbach's alpha of 0.92. Test-retest reliability was stable over time (ICC=0.81). Exploratory factor analysis supported a 1-factor solution explaining 58.2% of variance. Paired samples t-test showed statistical significance between the pre- and post-program scores (p<0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

The NUH-ME measure was found to be valid and reliable. Confirmatory Factor Analysis of the tool with different groups of nursing graduates is required. Mentorship programs can be an effective recruitment and retention strategy, but are also resource intensive. Measuring new graduates' perceptions of mentoring contributes to program relevance in addressing their personal, professional and clinical skill development needs. As mentoring engages a diverse range of mentors, feedback through measurement may also positively alter organizational learning culture.

A systematic review of factors influencing knowledge management and the nurse leaders' role

AIM

To describe factors facilitating or inhibiting the development of registered nurses' competency and nurse leader's role in knowledge management.

BACKGROUND

Nurses' competency directly influences patient safety and the quality and effectiveness of patient care. Challenges of nurse leaders in knowledge management include acquiring, assessing and utilising current knowledge and assessing and enhancing competency.

EVALUATION

A systematic search was conducted in PubMed, CINAHL, SCOPUS and ERIC databases in April 2015. The search identified 18 relevant research articles published between 2009 and 2015. The quality of the studies was appraised in accordance with study designs.

KEY ISSUE

Knowledge management is facilitated by an organisation culture that supports learning, sharing of information and learning together. Leader commitment and competency were factors related to leadership facilitating knowledge management.

CONCLUSION

Nurse leaders need evidence-based interventions to support shared learning and to create infrastructures that facilitate competence development. Future research is especially needed to evaluate connections between knowledge management and patient outcomes.

IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING MANAGEMENT AND LEADERSHIP

The results of this review can be utilised in enhancing factors to facilitate knowledge management in clinical practice and identifying nurse leaders' role in strengthening nurses' competency.

Association Between Clinical Nurse Specialist's Presence and Open Visitation in US Intensive Care Units

BACKGROUND

Current evidence shows that an open visitation policy can benefit patients and families during intensive care unit (ICU) stays. Therefore, an unrestricted visitation policy in the ICU has been proposed as part of patient-centered care.

PURPOSE

The purpose of this secondary analysis is to explore the likelihood of an ICU with a clinical nurse specialist (CNS) having an open visitation policy when compared with an ICU without a CNS.

DESIGN

This is a secondary analysis of a survey conducted between 2008 and 2009, describing the ICU visitation practices in more than 600 hospitals across the United States.

METHODS

χ Analysis was performed comparing the presence of CNS in the ICU with visitation policies, with P < 0.05 considered statistically significant.

RESULTS

There were data from 347 hospitals used in the analysis, with 47 hospitals (13.5%) having open visitation policies. There were 108 hospitals (31%) that had a CNS present in the ICU; 14 of the hospitals (13%) had open visitation policies. No significant correlation was found between a CNS being present in the ICU and open visitation policy (odds ratio, 0.93; P = .83), regardless of hospital geographic regions.

CONCLUSIONS

Although CNS presence was not associated with open visitation in this study, given the strong evidence to support the benefits to patients and the CNS role as a change agent in the hospital system, liberalization of visitation in the ICU is an area that could benefit from CNS advocacy.

Changes in evidence-based practice beliefs and implementation after a postgraduate educational program: A before-and-after study over one year

Healthcare professionals are increasingly expected to use research evidence to improve healthcare outcomes. The aim of this study was to examine change in beliefs and implementation of evidence-based practice (EBP) one year after participation in a 15 ECTS postgraduate educational program in EBP. We conducted a before-and-after study among 158 healthcare professionals in a postgraduate program in EBP. Participants completed the Norwegian version of the EBP Beliefs Scale and the EBP Implementation Scale at baseline and one year after the program. Results indicated increased scores from pre-test to one year follow up on the EBP Beliefs Scale and the EBP Implementation Scale. Participants in evidence-based network groups reported higher scores on the EBP Implementation Scale than those who did not participate in these groups. Further research should examine other factors that may facilitate implementation of evidence-based practice.

Evidence-Based Practice Beliefs and Implementation in Doctor of Nursing Practice Students

BACKGROUND

Doctors of Nursing Practice focus on leadership in evidence-based practice (EBP). EBP is influenced by one's beliefs in and implementation of EBP. Little is known to date about the EBP beliefs and implementation of Doctor of Nursing Practice students and outcomes of Doctor of Nursing Practice education.

AIMS

Guided by the Advancing Research and Clinical practice through close Collaboration (ARCC) Model, the Evidence-Based Practice Beliefs (EBPB) and Implementation (EBPI) tools were used to assess the impact of EBP as a program pillar, curricular thread, and content area on EBPB and EBPI of Doctor of Nursing Practice-Family Nurse Practitioner students.

METHODS

Five cohorts who completed the same curriculum were studied. Fifty-four of the 89 students across the five cohorts began and completed the study.

RESULTS

Paired t-test for group effects showed statistical significance from pre- to post-measure in students overall EBPB, t = 4.4 (52), p < .001, and EBPI, t = 8.4 (52), p < .001. A large effect size of .75 standard deviation (SD) gain above the mean for EBPB, and a very large effect size of 1 SD gain above the mean for EBPI were observed. Repeated measures ANOVA showed that all cohorts made gains across the curriculum. Effect sizes for EBPB ranged from .25 to 1 SD above the mean, and .75 to 1.5 for EBPI.

LINKING EVIDENCE TO ACTION

DNP students who are educated to be EBP leaders must have a curriculum that supports them in the knowledge and skill-set needed to translate evidence into practice. The ARCC Model can guide faculty in EBP curriculum development. EBPB and EBPI are valid and reliable measures to assess for gains across a curriculum. Through educational outcomes, educators can assess desired student outcomes for EBP across a curriculum and can build an evidence base for ongoing curriculum development.

Effectiveness of an Evidence-Based Practice Nurse Mentor Training Program

BACKGROUND

Multiple reasons are cited for why nurses do not incorporate evidence into clinical practice, including lack of knowledge and skills, training, time, and organizational support.

AIMS

To investigate the effectiveness of a mentor training program on mentors' perceptions of knowledge, attitude, skill, and confidence levels, and organizational readiness related to evidence-based practice (EBP) and research utilization; and to investigate the effectiveness of creating a formalized structure to enculturate EBP in order to prepare nurses to incorporate EBP into clinical practice on nurses' perceptions of knowledge, attitude, skill levels, barriers, nursing leadership, and organizational support related to EBP and research utilization.

METHODS

A two-group pretest-posttest quasi-experimental, interventional design was used. A convenience sample of 66 mentors and 367 nurses working at a five hospital integrated healthcare system located in the Southeastern United States participated.

FINDINGS

Nurse mentors' knowledge, attitude, skill level, and organizational readiness related to EBP, t = -8.64, p < .001, and confidence, t = -6.36, p < .001, improved after training. Nurses' knowledge, attitude, and skill level related to EBP, t = -19.12, p < .001, and barriers to research utilization, t = 20.86, p < .001, EBP work environment t = -20.18, p < .001, and EBP nurse leadership, t = -16.50, p < .001, improved after a formalized structure was implemented.

LINKING EVIDENCE TO ACTION

EBP mentors are effective in educating and supporting nurses in evidence-based care. Leaders should use a multifaceted approach to build and sustain EBP, including developing a critical mass of EBP mentors to work with point of care staff.

Developing Competency to Sustain Evidence-Based Practice

Organizations must ensure that nursing care delivery is based on best evidence. This article describes how a clinical research hospital used a competency-based approach to structure the development and execution of a strategic plan and integrated evidence-based practice concepts into the activities of nurses at all levels. The article will also describe the process for developing and implementing the competency across our department including outcomes achieved.

[Structural Model of Evidence-Based Practice Implementation among Clinical Nurses]

PURPOSE

This study was conducted to develop and test a structural model of evidence-based practice (EBP) implementation among clinical nurses. The model was based on Melnyk and Fineout-Overholt's Advancing Research and Clinical Practice through Close Collaboration model and Rogers' Diffusion of Innovations theory.

METHODS

Participants were 410 nurses recruited from ten different tertiary hospitals in Korea. A structured self-report questionnaire was used to assess EBP knowledge/skills, EBP beliefs, EBP attitudes, organizational culture & readiness for EBP, dimensions of a learning organization and organizational innovativeness. Collected data were analyzed using SPSS/WINdows 20.0 and AMOS 20.0 program.

RESULTS

The modified research model provided a reasonable fit to the data. Clinical nurses' EBP knowledge/skills, EBP beliefs, and the organizational culture & readiness for EBP had statistically significant positive effects on the implementation of EBP. The impact of EBP attitudes was not significant. The dimensions of the learning organization and organizational innovativeness showed statistically significant negative effects on EBP implementation. These variables explained 32.8% of the variance of EBP implementation among clinical nurses.

CONCLUSION

The findings suggest that not only individual nurses' knowledge/skills of and beliefs about EBP but organizational EBP culture should be strengthened to promote clinical nurses' EBP implementation.

Readiness for and predictors of evidence-based practice in Greek healthcare settings

BACKGROUND

Implementation of evidence-based practice (EBP) remains limited in healthcare settings and knowledge of predictors of healthcare professionals' EBP activities is lacking.

AIM

To describe nurses' readiness for EBP and identify related predictors in Greek healthcare settings.

RESULTS

Nurses scored high in the EBP readiness scale reflecting significant positive readiness toward EBP and consistently reported favorable attitudes toward and beliefs about EBP. However, half of them were unsure about their ability to engage in EBP despite the fact that they valued research-based practice as important. EBP specific domains including the "EBP-attitude", the "EBP-knowledge", the "informational needs" and the "workplace culture" and nurses' demographics as well, were found to be strong predictors of EBP readiness among Greek nurses.

CONCLUSION

As nurses are now more aware of and open to the idea of EBP, diverse strategies and well-designed interventions to facilitate the desired change to practice are needed.

Educational interventions on evidence-based nursing in clinical practice: A systematic review with qualitative analysis

AIMS

To gather, assess and synthesise the currently available evidence of educational interventions on evidence-based nursing (EBN).

BACKGROUND

Previous systematic reviews have focused on the items used in reporting educational interventions for facilitating evidence-based practices in medicine and health care or teaching research literacy in nursing as well as on the outcomes of these interventions.

DESIGN

A systematic review based on a procedure of the Centre for Reviews and Disseminations for conducting a systematic review of health interventions.

DATA SOURCES AND METHODS

Texts from 2008 to 2015 were sought from the Cochrane, CINAHL and PubMed Medline databases. Eight studies were selected for the final data and reviewed for quality. Data were analysed with narrative synthesis including qualitative content analysis.

RESULTS

Four main categories and sixteen subcategories were identified. The learning contents included principles of EBN and research, the process of EBN, and planning a change in practice. The most popular teaching/learning methods were lectures/didactic presentations and group work. The interventions encouraged learners to critically examine and evaluate their practice. The interventions also improved participants' capacity to identify the need for research evidence in clinical practice.

CONCLUSION

The educational interventions were fairly similar and had promising results. However, as the level of evidence was modest in the studies, there are several development needs for interventions and further research challenges. Interventions should provide participants with sufficient competences for implementing every step of EBN, with special focus on the implementation of evidence in patient care. The assessment of the outcomes of interventions should cover all learning categories of EBN with focus on medium to long-term effectiveness. The influence of different teaching/learning methods and learning contexts and settings should be investigated further.

Developing a tool that explores factors influencing the adoption of evidence-based principles in nursing practice in Jordan

AIM

To measure the psychometric properties, reliability and validity of a tool that explores factors influencing the adoption of principles of evidence-based in nursing practice in Jordan.

BACKGROUND

The use of principles of evidenced-based practice in nursing practice has been widely endorsed in many countries around the world; these principles have not yet been implemented in Jordan. Factors influencing the adoption of evidence-based practice in Jordanian nursing context were not identified to date.

METHODS

A descriptive, cross-sectional research design approached experienced nurses from different specialties across Jordan (3 military, 3 governmental and 5 private hospitals).

RESULTS

The psychometric properties indicated a valid and reliable tool. It consisted of three factors: personal characteristics; source of professional knowledge; and organizational environment.

CONCLUSIONS

Findings provided evidence on the impact of the identified factors on nurses' adoption of evidence-based practice. Although tests in this report showed the validity of this new tool, it still requires further testing to ensure its stability over time.

Evidence-Based Practice Beliefs and Implementation among the Nursing Bridge Program Students of a Saudi University

OBJECTIVES

This study aimed to measure the evidence-based practice (EBP) beliefs and implementation among Saudi nursing students enrolled in the bridge program. It also sought to identify the factors that influence EBP beliefs and implementation.

METHODS

A convenience sample of 188 nursing bridge program students at a university in Saudi Arabia was surveyed in this descriptive, cross-sectional study. The EBP Beliefs Scale (EBP-B) and the EBP Implementation Scale (EBPI) were employed to collect data regarding the respondents' beliefs and implementation of EBP, respectively. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to analyze the data.

RESULTS

All of the items in the EBP beliefs scale received good endorsement rate (60.6 - 89.4%). A very low overall mean score of 22.57 was reported by the respondents in the implementation of EBP. The EBP beliefs of the respondents was primarily influenced by awareness on EBP (β = 0.26, p <0.001), followed by gender (β = -0.20, p<0.001), age (β = 0.17, p<0.05), and attendance at EBP trainings/seminars (β = 0.16, p<0.05). Attendance to EBP training and seminars (β = 0.19, p<0.01), gender (β = 0.18, p<0.05) and awareness on EBP (β = 0.15, p<0.05) were identified as factors that influence EBP implementation.

CONCLUSIONS

Despite the positive responses on the belief scale, the implementation of EBP by the respondents is very poor. Education and training courses should be initiated to increase the implementation of EBP among the nursing bridge program students.

Athletic Trainers' Beliefs About and Implementation of Evidence-Based Practice

CONTEXT

Understanding the beliefs about and use of evidence-based practice (EBP) among athletic trainers (ATs) will help to determine appropriate strategies to improve implementation.

OBJECTIVE

To examine the ATs' beliefs about and use of EBP.

DESIGN

Cross-sectional study.

SETTING

Online survey instrument.

PATIENTS OR OTHER PARTICIPANTS

A total of 467 ATs responded to the survey request, a response rate of 11.67%. A total of 385 (9.6%) completed the EBP Beliefs Scale and 342 (8.5%) completed the EBP Implementation Scale.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S)

The EBP Beliefs Scale and EBP Implementation Scale were administered. The surveys collected demographic information in addition to information about participants' beliefs regarding EBP and implementation of EBP in clinical practice.

RESULTS

The ATs demonstrated a level of neither agree nor disagree (56.00 ± 7.86) on the EBP Beliefs Scale. Belief scores were higher among those ATs required to document for third-party reimbursement (P = .001), those with access to current research through professional journals other than the Journal of Athletic Training (P = .02), and those with a doctoral degree (P = .01). A low level of implementation (9.00 ± 11.38), representing the implementation of EBP approximately 0 times in the previous 8 weeks, was found on the EBP Implementation Scale. Implementation scores were higher among preceptors (P = .01), those required to document for third-party reimbursement (P < .001), those with access to current research through professional journals (P = .002), and those with a doctoral degree (P = .01).

CONCLUSIONS

Participants had a positive attitude toward EBP; however, they were not implementing EBP concepts when providing patient care. This suggests that additional information and EBP resources are needed so ATs can better implement EBP in practice. To provide the best patient care and to promote EBP within the profession, clinicians should make EBP a priority and advocate for EBP implementation.

The state of readiness for evidence-based practice among nurses: An integrative review

OBJECTIVES

To review factors related to nurses' individual readiness for evidence-based practice and to determine the current state of nurses' evidence-based practice competencies.

DESIGN

An integrative review study.

DATA SOURCES

Thirty-seven (37) primary research studies on nurses' readiness for evidence-based practice, of which 30 were descriptive cross-sectional surveys, 5 were pretest-posttest studies, and one study each was an experimental pilot study and a descriptive qualitative study. Included studies were published from the beginning of 2004 through end of January 2015.

REVIEW METHODS

The integrative review study used thematic synthesis, in which the quantitative studies were analyzed deductively and the qualitative studies inductively. Outcomes related to nurses' readiness for evidence-based practice were grouped according to the four main themes that emerged from the thematic synthesis: (1) nurses' familiarity with evidence-based practice (EBP); (2) nurses' attitudes toward and beliefs about evidence-based practice; (3) nurses' evidence-based practice knowledge and skills; and (4) nurses' use of research in practice. Methodological quality of the included studies was evaluated with Joanna Briggs Institute critical appraisal tools.

RESULTS

Although nurses were familiar with, had positive attitudes toward, and believed in the value of EBP in improving care quality and patient outcomes, they perceived their own evidence-based practice knowledge and skills insufficient for employing evidence-based practice, and did not use best evidence in practice. The vast majority (81%) of included studies were descriptive cross-sectional surveys, 84% used a non-probability sampling method, sample sizes were small, and response rates low. Most included studies were of modest quality.

CONCLUSIONS

More robust, theoretically-based and psychometrically sound nursing research studies are needed to test and evaluate the effectiveness of interventions designed to advance nurses' evidence-based practice competencies, especially teaching them how to integrate evidence-based practice into clinical decision-making. All efforts should be focused on systematically using knowledge transformation strategies shown to be effective in rigorous studies, to translate best evidence into practice-friendly, readily usable forms that are easily accessible to nurses to integrate into their clinical practice.

Back to basics: implementing evidence-based practice

As health care transitions from volume-based care to value-based care, it is imperative that perioperative nurses implement evidence-based practices that support effective care. Implementing evidence-based practice is a challenge but improves patient outcomes, standardizes care, and decreases patient care costs. Understanding how care interventions work and how to implement them is important to compete in today's health care market. This "Back to Basics" article discusses how to identify, review, and appraise research; make recommendations to implement new practices; evaluate the outcomes of the implementations; and make necessary changes to facilitate evidence-based practice.

The effectiveness of knowledge translation interventions for promoting evidence-informed decision-making among nurses in tertiary care: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Nurses are increasingly expected to engage in evidence-informed decision-making (EIDM) to improve client and system outcomes. Despite an improved awareness about EIDM, there is a lack of use of research evidence and understanding about the effectiveness of interventions to promote EIDM. This project aimed to discover if knowledge translation (KT) interventions directed to nurses in tertiary care are effective for improving EIDM knowledge, skills, behaviours, and, as a result, client outcomes. It also sought to understand contextual factors that affect the impact of such interventions.

METHODS

A systematic review funded by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (PROSPERO registration: CRD42013003319) was conducted. Included studies examined the implementation of any KT intervention involving nurses in tertiary care to promote EIDM knowledge, skills, behaviours, and client outcomes or studies that examined contextual factors. Study designs included systematic reviews, quantitative, qualitative, and mixed method studies. The search included electronic databases and manual searching of published and unpublished literature to November 2012; key databases included MEDLINE, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL), and Excerpta Medica (EMBASE). Two reviewers independently performed study selection, risk of bias assessment, and data extraction. Studies with quantitative data determined to be clinically homogeneous were synthesized using meta-analytic methods. Studies with quantitative data not appropriate for meta-analysis were synthesized narratively by outcome. Studies with qualitative data were synthesized by theme.

RESULTS

Of the 44,648 citations screened, 30 citations met the inclusion criteria (18 quantitative, 10 qualitative, and 2 mixed methods studies). The quality of studies with quantitative data ranged from very low to high, and quality criteria was generally met for studies with qualitative data. No studies evaluated the impact on knowledge and skills; they primarily investigated the effectiveness of multifaceted KT strategies for promoting EIDM behaviours and improving client outcomes. Almost all studies included an educational component. A meta-analysis of two studies determined that a multifaceted intervention (educational meetings and use of a mentor) did not increase engagement in a range of EIDM behaviours [mean difference 2.7, 95 % CI (-1.7 to 7.1), I (2) = 0 %]. Among the remaining studies, no definitive conclusions could be made about the relative effectiveness of the KT interventions due to variation of interventions and outcomes, as well as study limitations. Findings from studies with qualitative data identified the organizational, individual, and interpersonal factors, as well as characteristics of the innovation, that influence the success of implementation.

CONCLUSIONS

KT interventions are being implemented and evaluated on nurses' behaviour and client outcomes. This systematic review may inform the selection of KT interventions and outcomes among nurses in tertiary care and decisions about further research.

Examining the evidence to guide practice: challenging practice habits

Nurses are the largest segment of the nation's health care workforce, which makes nurses vital to the translation of evidence-based practice as a practice norm. Critical care nurses are in a position to critically appraise and apply best evidence in daily practice to improve patients' outcomes. It is important for critical care nurses to continually evaluate their current practice to ensure that they are applying the current best evidence rather than practicing on the basis of tradition. This article is based on a presentation at the 2013 National Teaching Institute of the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses. Four practice interventions that are within the realm of nursing are critiqued on the basis of current best evidence: (1) turning critically ill patients, (2) sleep promotion in the intensive care unit, (3) feeding tube management in infants and children, and (4) prevention of venothromboembolism…again. The related beliefs, current evidence, and implications for practice associated with each topic are described.

Translating knowledge into best practice care bundles: a pragmatic strategy for EBP implementation via moving postprocedural pain management nursing guidelines into clinical practice

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES

To describe quantitative and qualitative best evidence as sources for practical interventions usable in daily care delivery in order to integrate best evidence into clinical decision-making at local practice settings. To illustrate the development, implementation and evaluation of a pain management nursing care bundle based on a clinical practice guideline via a real-world clinical exemplar.

BACKGROUND

Successful implementation of evidence-based practice requires consistent integration of best evidence into daily clinical decision-making. Best evidence comprises high-quality knowledge summarised in systematic reviews and translated into guidelines. However, consistent integration of guidelines into care delivery remains challenging, partly due to guidelines not being in a usable form for daily practice or relevant for the local context.

DESIGN

A position paper with a clinical exemplar of a nurse-led, evidence-based quality improvement project to design, implement and evaluate a pain management care bundle translated from a national nursing guideline.

METHODS

A pragmatic approach to integrating guidelines into daily practice is presented. Best evidence from a national nursing guideline was translated into a pain management care bundle and integrated into daily practice in 15 medical-surgical (med-surg) units of nine hospitals of a large university hospital system in Finland.

CONCLUSIONS

Translation of best evidence from guidelines into usable form as care bundles adapted to the local setting may increase implementation and uptake of guidelines and improve quality and consistency of care delivery.

RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE

A pragmatic approach to translating a nursing guideline into a pain management care bundle to incorporate best evidence into daily practice may help achieve more consistent and equitable integration of guidelines into care delivery, and better quality of pain management and patient outcomes.

Knowledge translation strategies for enhancing nurses' evidence-informed decision making: a scoping review

BACKGROUND

Nurses are increasingly expected to engage in evidence-informed decision making (EIDM); the use of research evidence with information about patient preferences, clinical context and resources, and their clinical expertise in decision making. Strategies for enhancing EIDM have been synthesized in high-quality systematic reviews, yet most relate to physicians or mixed disciplines. Existing reviews, specific to nursing, have not captured a broad range of strategies for promoting the knowledge and skills for EIDM, patient outcomes as a result of EIDM, or contextual information for why these strategies "work."

AIM

To conduct a scoping review to identify and map the literature related to strategies implemented among nurses in tertiary care for promoting EIDM knowledge, skills, and behaviours, as well as patient outcomes and contextual implementation details.

METHODS

A search strategy was developed and executed to identify relevant research evidence. Participants included registered nurses, clinical nurse specialists, nurse practitioners, and advanced practice nurses. Strategies were those enhancing nurses' EIDM knowledge, skills, or behaviours, as well as patient outcomes. Relevant studies included systematic reviews, randomized controlled trials, cluster randomized controlled trials, non-randomized trials (including controlled before and after studies), cluster non-randomized trials, interrupted time series designs, prospective cohort studies, mixed-method studies, and qualitative studies. Two reviewers performed study selection and data extraction using standardized forms. Disagreements were resolved through discussion or third party adjudication.

RESULTS

Using a narrative synthesis, the body of research was mapped by design, clinical areas, strategies, and provider and patient outcomes to determine areas appropriate for a systematic review.

CONCLUSIONS

There are a sufficiently high number of studies to conduct a more focused systematic review by care settings, study design, implementation strategies, or outcomes. A focused review could assist in determining which strategies can be recommended for enhancing EIDM knowledge, skills, and behaviours among nurses in tertiary care.

The evidence-based practice profiles of academic and clinical staff involved in pre-registration nursing students' education: a cross sectional survey of US and UK staff

BACKGROUND

Competency in evidence-based practice (EBP) is a requirement for graduate nurses. Despite a growing body of research exploring the EBP profiles of students, little research has explored the EBP profiles of nurse educators.

OBJECTIVES

To explore: the differences/similarities in the EBP profiles of US and UK clinical and academic faculty; the barriers nurse educators experience when teaching EBP; the impact of postgraduate education on EBP profile and; what nurse educators perceive "success" in implementing and teaching EBP to be.

DESIGN

A cross-sectional online survey design was employed.

SETTINGS

Two Universities delivering undergraduate nursing education in the US and UK, in partnership with large hospital systems, small community hospitals, community settings, and independent sector health organisations.

PARTICIPANTS

Eighty-one nurse educators working in academic and clinical contexts in the US and UK (US academic=12, US clinical=17, UK academic=9, UK clinical=43) were recruited opportunistically.

METHODS

Participants were emailed a weblink to an online survey, comprising demographic questions, the Evidence-Based Practice Questionnaire and open-ended questions about EBP barriers, facilitators and successes.

RESULTS

Quantitative results indicated that academic faculty scored significantly higher on knowledge and skills of EBP, than clinical faculty, but revealed no other significant differences on EBP use or attitudes, or between US and UK professionals. Participants with postgraduate training scored significantly higher on EBP knowledge/skills, but not EBP attitudes or use. Qualitative findings identified key themes relating to EBP barriers and facilitators, including: Evidence-, organisational-, and teaching-related issues. Perceptions of successes in EBP were also described.

CONCLUSIONS

Nurse educators working in the UK and US face similar EBP barriers to teaching and implementation, but view it positively and use it frequently. Clinical staff may require extra support to maintain their EBP knowledge and skills in comparison to staff working in academic contexts.