| Learning Objective #1: Describe how staff nurses at an academic medical center implemented research utilization. | |||
| Learning Objective #2: Identify potential community/hospital resources critical to the successful implementation of research utilization |
Purpose: The primary mission of the Center for Nursing Research is to improve patient care through research and research utilization. We view nursing research as an essential mechanism for identifying best practices and advancing the science of nursing. The application of research findings is critical for improving patient outcomes and for ensuring that nursing practice is both effective and cost efficient. This abstract describes the process used to implement research utilization in a large academic medical center.
Description: Formation of the initial research utilization committee was a grass roots effort by critical care nurses, most of whom had been involved with prior research projects, and who were committed to the idea of evidence-based practice. Subsequently, two additional committees were developed in acute care and pediatrics. Guidelines for these committees include: · Education of members in retrieving and critiquing the literature · Commitment to serve a 2 year term · Membership comprised of clinical nurses from the various practice areas · Twice monthly meetings to review and revise procedures · Evaluation and rating of all reference articles. Articles are rated on a scale of 1 to 5 based on their scientific rigor · Implementation and maintenance of practice changes by unit based educators · Clinical Nurse Scientists from the Center for Nursing Research, mentor and support the research utilization committees
Outcomes: There has been a change in organizational culture as it relates to the use of research to improve practice; 1) nurses throughout the hospital are involved in revisions of policies & procedures, 2) research questions have been generated based on gaps in the literature and 3) nurses are excited about research, share findings with colleagues and look for other ways of improving practice.
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Back to International Evidence-Based Practice Preconference
Sigma Theta Tau International
9 July 2003