Closing the Gap Between Research and Practice by Transforming Traditional Clinical Practice Committees

Abstract #3 – Processes & Outcomes

Updating nursing practices to reflect current research and evidence-based literature is a continuous process that requires the involvement of frontline staff nurses, clinical nurse specialists, and nursing leadership at all levels.  Our academic hospital system’s implementation of a Clinical Practice Council has provided opportunities for interactive discussions of gaps between research and practice. Nurses are encouraged to think critically about their practice and determine if practices are aligned with research and evidence-based literature. Research that may support or negate current clinical practice is reviewed and discussed. Strategies are discussed to decrease the gap between practice and research.

This third part of a three-part symposium will address processes and outcomes achieved by an effective Clinical Practice Council that successfully engages frontline clinicians in promoting nursing care that is evidence-based.

Collaboratively, all unit staff representatives engage in disseminating and communicating new and revised practice documents, and changes in practice to their respective units and throughout the hospital. As liaisons between their units and the Clinical Practice Council, staff nurses provide feedback to the council on the successful dissemination of the new information and assimilation of practice changes on the units.  Equipped with education and experience in the skills of research and evidence-based practice, clinical practice council nurses are empowered to individually and collectively bring about observable and measureable improvements for patient care in their health care environments. Examples of such improvements will be highlighted in this symposium.