To describe the need for an evidence-based approach to healthcare decision making and practice to deliver best care and outcomes and discuss how this goal was met through education and collaboration.
Methods:
In a new era of healthcare, success will be achieved through collaborative relationships and development of teams that can deliver evidence-based, patient-centered care to improve healthcare safety, patient and clinician outcomes, and demonstrable returns on investments. The development of evidence-based practice (EBP) knowledge, skills, and attitudes along with creation of organizational cultures and infrastructures that support EBP is a comprehensive strategy that can effectively propel organizations toward achieving and sustaining these goals and meeting required healthcare mandates. Many healthcare organizations have identified that their staff are not competent in EBP as demonstrated by clinicians’ and leaders’ lack of EBP knowledge, skills and attitude. These organizations are seeking opportunities build such competence and capacity in their settings. The Center for Transdisciplinary Evidence-based Practice has worked with a wide range of both clinical and academic organizations to build and sustain EBP with significant results achieved.
A unique opportunity emerged when a CTEP leader and a USAF Nursing leader participated in a Magnet site visit as community partners of an Ohio Children’s Hospital. The relationship that grew out of that chance meeting led to the development of a rich and robust EBP program at Wright Patterson Medical Center, and ultimately across the USAF nursing enterprise.
Results:
This session will highlight the innovative work of The Center for Transdisciplinary Evidence-based Practice (CTEP) in advancing EBP through a collaborative relationship with the nursing enterprise of the United States Air Force (USAF) to create a successful EBP education and follow-up program that is delivering improved care and significant outcomes. The details related to forging an effective relationship between these enterprises to develop and deliver an EBP education program to meet the unique needs of this complex, global enterprise will be highlighted. The characteristics of the original education program designed and implemented including: the evidence-based educational pedagogies and interventions utilized to assure the successful sharing of EBP knowledge and skills; the multiple tracks offered with specific content for different practitioners (front-line clinicians, EBP mentors, educators, organizational leaders) and; the structured follow-up sessions utilized to reinforce knowledge acquisition and promote implementation of EBP initiatives. The impact of planned and ongoing discussions between the collaborating entities, that led to further customization of the education program as the EBP capacity at the USAF is forming and growing, and performing, will also be presented.
Conclusion:
Collaboration and innovation can forge relationships to transform traditional organizations into evidence-based organizations that deliver best practice and improved outcomes.