Description/Overview: In a new era of healthcare reform, success will be defined in terms of transdisciplinary collaborative teams delivering evidence-based, patient-centered care to improve healthcare outcomes. The development of evidence-based practice (EBP) knowledge and skills, design of EBP infrastructures, and promotion of a widespread EBP culture are strategies that can effectively propel organizations toward achieving these goals. This symposium describes the innovative work of The Center for Transdisciplinary Evidence-based Practice (CTEP) in advancing EBP with healthcare organizations through individualized programs built around unique strengths, needs, and capacities of organizations to achieve best care and outcomes. In each presentation, the collaboration and synergy of CTEP/clinical partnerships will be highlighted. The robust relationships forged while crafting unique EBP programs and how they became scaffolding to sustain ongoing EBP work will be discussed. In the first session, the introduction of the EBP paradigm through development of a cadre of EBP mentors and redesign of the Clinical Nurse Specialist role to reflect EBP as a central function will be described. Specific EBP implementation strategies and their contribution to the development of systems and a culture of EBP will be presented. Key steps for successful development and support of EBP experts will be presented. The second session will highlight the introduction of the EBP paradigm through integration of EBP education and team development in “new hire” orientation. The session will highlight EBP project development, implementation, challenges and successes. The structures designed to provide support for these young teams leading change in the organization will be presented. The third session will highlight an intensive collaboration project designed to implement a multifaceted, multi-setting EBP education/research project in a Comprehensive Cancer Center and across the state. The unique partnership between the CTEP and the Comprehensive Cancer Center culminated in a proposal far beyond the scope of either organization alone.

Learner Objective #1: The learner will be able to discuss the EBP paradigm as the driver of best practice and outcomes.

Learner Objective #2: The learner will be able to identify EBP implementation strategies to steer the paradigm shift.