Paper
Thursday, July 12, 2007
This presentation is part of : EBN Utilization
Implementing Evidence-Based Practice Across a Healthcare District
Linda Urden, DNSc, RN, CNA, FAAN, Palomar Pomerado Health, Poway, CA, USA and Barbara J. Mayer, RN, MS, CNS, Nursing Education, Palomar Pomerado Health, Escondido, CA, USA.
Learning Objective #1: describe a model to use as the framework for implementing evidence-based practice across a healthcare district.
Learning Objective #2: delineate key personnel, resources, processes, and supports necessary for implementation of a district evidence based practice program.
     The concept of evidence-based practice (EBP) has been in the literature for many years, starting in the medical community with a focus on finding the best evidence to support individual patient care.  What started in nursing as research utilization, has transformed to incorporating all evidence that is focused on application of the evidence for patient populations with consistent conditions.  Only recently has this concept expanded to include evidence based management and executive practice.  There are two major challenges for implementing EBP: 1) selecting a model; and 2) ensuring supports and resources.  The purpose of this presentation will be to address these two key issues using our healthcare district (acute care, long term care, home health and outpatient surgery facilities) as the case study.

            Implementing EBP is a culture shift and major change that increases in complexity with the number of staff and differing geographic facility sites.  Since we are an integrated district and approach all initiatives from that perspective, the decision was made to implement EBP across the district.  After searching the literature, attending several conferences, and personal contacts with many institutions, our decision was to adopt the Iowa Model for EBP and Quality Care.  This model is used for both clinical and management EBP, and by other departments and disciplines. 

             Support for EBP starts with the District Chief Executive and Nursing Officers who expect that our practice is evidence based and that we share widely and integrate with other disciplines and departments.  Key personnel for implementing EBP have been our nurse researcher, clinical nurse specialists, and educators.  Educational classes are district-wide and open to all district staff; unit/specialty specific discussions are held throughout all facilities; with individualized consultation on request.  An exciting outcome was the decision to adopt one evidence-based nursing practice in all our specialties and facilities.

See more of EBN Utilization
See more of The 18th International Nursing Research Congress Focusing on Evidence-Based Practice (11 -- 14 July, 2007)