Getting guidelines into practice: a literature review.
BACKGROUND
Clinical guidelines have the potential to ensure that a research knowledge base underpins practice. Their development nationally and locally has increased dramatically in recent years. The challenge lies in implementing them. This literature review of guideline implementation was conducted to inform the development of implementation strategies for the Royal College of Nursing national clinical guidelines.


CONCLUSIONS
The evidence base for guideline implementation is still developing and many ideas and strategies require further testing. Although strategies can be developed around some core principles, as yet there is no single definitive strategy. This selective literature review offers some insight into successful implementation strategies.
Yana
Richens
R
Elizabeth Garrett Anderson and Obstetric Hospital, London. yana.richens@uclh.org
Jo
Rycroft-Malone
RM
D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D004509:Education, Nursing, Continuing / Q000458:organization & administration; D019983:Guideline Adherence / Q000458:organization & administration*; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D009731:Nursing Audit / Q000379:methods; D009732:Nursing Care / Q000592:standards*; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D012932:Social Facilitation