Learning Objective #1: Delineate at least two methods to apply best practices for elderly inpatients in one's own practice

Learning Objective #2: Describe how a model to apply evidence-based practice can be used in a clinical inpatient area

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Implementation of evidence based nursing research is difficult to carry out. The practical complexities of changing nursing practice within large healthcare organizations requires planning on many levels. The purpose of this presentation is to clarify lessons learned on the journey of attempting to implement best practices for geriatric patients in a medical psychiatric unit of a large medical center. Education assessment, using the Geriatric Institutional Profile (GIAP), planning, and interventions will be discussed using best practices from NICHE (Nurses Improving Care for Hospitalized Elderly). Projects that applied best practices for elderly inpatient care, such as better hydration and falls prevention, will be noted. The importance of administrative support and staff involvement, by shared governance, will be delineated. The formulation of an institutional model to apply evidence to practice will also be discussed. What we learned along our journey to enhance care for elderly medical-psychiatric patients and how this model can be used as a process to implement evidence based practice will be discussed. We will share methods learned from our experiences, such as using key clinical leaders or trialing changes as continuous improvements projects, to incorporate best practices for elderly psychiatric inpatients. These experiences can enhance future use of evidence for others' practice.