| Principal Investigator: | Jo Hanson, RN, MSN, CNS, OCN |
| Co-Principal Investigator/Collaborator: | Marcia Grant |
| Organization: | City of Hope |
Abstract
Problem
It is widely accepted that health-care providers must understand and utilize principles of Evidence-Based Practice (EBP) to provide the highest quality patient care. For bedside nurses, competing role priorities and limited EBP knowledge impede merging their Intuition-Based Practice (IBP) with EBP.
Evidence
The 2001 Institute of Medicine report, Crossing the Quality Chasm, called for fundamental changes to close the gap in quality health care and recommended an evidence-based decision-making approach. Despite this recommendation, most bedside nurses continue to use IBP.
Strategy
Small, interactive one-day EBP workshops were designed, using Principles of Adult Learning, for teams of bedsides nurses. Workshop format included: nationally recognized EBP expert nurse presentations; computer hands-on “finding the evidence” training by medical librarian; quality improvement considerations by QI director; and a facilitated period for teams to develop their unit-based project. Nursing Research provided long-term, 9-12 month, follow-up project support.
Practice Change
Participants’ level of EBP knowledge increased, promoting the integration of EBP with their current IBP.
Evaluation
Quantitative measures included pre/post-workshop knowledge and attitudes (K&A) surveys and post-workshop evaluations. A qualitative data analysis describes EBP concepts in the project plans.
Results
Seventy RNs completed one of four EBP workshops. Evaluation scores were positive: 4.9 (1-5 scale, 5=best): Overall opinion; thought provoking and stimulating; and meets expectations. K&A post-surveys revealed a better understanding of EBP concepts: Participants found it easier to translate evidence from guidelines into clinical practice; felt they could influence improvement in patient-care processes; and were satisfied with their team’s ability to focus on outcomes of care rather than tasks. Project analysis showed most teams developed and implemented a succinct plan utilizing the EBP process.
Recommendations
For bedside nurses, building a streamlined workshop which merges EBP with IBP and includes development of a unit-based project is an effective first step in educating this busy, hard to reach population.
Lessons Learned
Team developed unit-based EBP projects provide immediate reinforcement to newly acquired knowledge.
Bibliography
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