Methods: The Helene Fuld Institute for Evidence-based Practice in Nursing and Healthcare (The Fuld) and a renowned, Magnet designated Comprehensive Cancer Center have collaborated for 3 years to; develop clinical competence, build organizational infrastructures, and engage leaders which has resulted in a culture that supports and sustains evidence-based decision making to improve patient, clinician, and financial outcomes. This collaborative relationship has led to the development of teams that are delivering evidence-based, patient-centered care to improve healthcare safety, patient and clinician outcomes, and demonstrable returns on investments at a large, complex healthcare system. The comprehensive strategy implemented, that has effectively propelled the organization to achieving and sustaining improved outcomes for patients and clinicians will be described. Key elements and effective strategies that enhance effective implementation and sustainability for EBP will be discussed.
Building knowledge, skills and attitude: Most clinicians did not learn EBP while in school, so they are not knowledgeable or skilled in evidence-based decision making. Teaching EBP content, developing skills and building beliefs/positive attitudes toward EBP (i.e., creation of EBP competence) is the cornerstone of building an evidence-based clinical enterprise. The evidence-based, adult learning pedagogy and methodologies utilized in the education program will be discussed. The advantages of structured follow up and utilizing EBP mentors from previous cohorts to co-teach the EBP education program in year two and three will be discussed.
Enhancing retention of learning: Presentation of information and basic skill building needed to be reinforced over time to promote knowledge retention. Follow up sessions (in person and virtual) along with knowledge boosting interventions will be discussed.
Building the EBP culture and infrastructure: Effective collaboration with an engaged, multi-level leadership team, ongoing support of EBP mentors, setting expectations/ defining deliverables for EBP initiatives, and building infrastructure and systems to support EBP at all levels of the nursing enterprise will be discussed. Exemplars of strategies implemented by the Fuld team to propel the EBP work forward toward completion and overcome barriers and challenges will be shared.
Results: When a committed clinical organization with visionary leadership engages in a collaborative partnership with a team of experienced leaders who are EBP experts, a thriving and evidence-based nursing enterprise can be built and sustained. Provision of education, consultation, mentoring, and coaching, combined with setting expectations, timelines and deliverables can lead to achievement of improved clinical outcomes and significant returns on investments. The details of the critical work of individuals from both partner organizations in this carefully orchestrated and synergistic undertaking will be described and discussed.
Conclusions: The lessons learned through this collaboration have impacted programs that the Fuld Institute for EBP is delivering across the globe. The details of these critical lessons learned and how they have been instrumental in enhancing subsequent work with other organizations along their EBP journey, will be described.