Learning Objective #1: Identify replicable strategies to promote evidence-based practice in a community hospital setting

Learning Objective #2: Discuss ways to avoid pitfalls in the implementation of evidence-based practice in a community hospital setting

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The purpose of this presentation is to describe the leadership strategies used and the lessons learned while promoting evidence-based nursing practice in a community hospital. This project was a collaborative effort between St. Michael Hospital in Milwaukee Wisconsin and the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee College of Nursing. For ease of presentation, the major strategies are clustered around three themes: (1) finding the will and the way, (2) providing leadership, and (3) identifying deliverables and delivering them.

In order to do this work, it is essential to find the will and the way. Evidence-based practice is easier to discuss than it is to accomplish, particularly in community hospitals that are less likely than major medical centers to have a long tradition of doing research. Wanting to make practice evidence based is not sufficient; there must be a plan and sufficient expertise to accomplish the identified goals. If the needed expertise does not exist in the community hospital, then forming partnerships with academic institutions or consultants may be an option.

Providing leadership to support both the entire initiative as well as the many individual projects that are part of the initiative is critical. Administrators must both walk the talk and provide needed human and material resources to achieve identified goals. Mid-level leaders and evidence-based practice champions must be cultivated, supported, and rewarded. Staff nurses should be involved in multiple ways in order to (1) foster an attitude that always asks “what is the evidence”, (2) promote acceptance of evidence-based changes, and (3) cultivate new evidence-based practice champions.

Identifying deliverables and delivering them will help to ensure that providing the resources needed to promote evidence-based practice can be justified. And finally, strategies for avoiding pitfalls that may lead to failed evidence-based practice projects or evidence-base practice burnout are presented.