Implementing evidence-based practice: walking the talk.
Russworm and Larrabee's (1999) six-step model for evidence-based practice (EBP) was used by 10 nursing teams to seek answers to clinical questions. These teams, primarily composed of staff nurses, participated in a health region-wide EBP program over 1 year. Overall, the model served as a useful mechanism for examining practice-derived questions. However, additional strategies needed to be incorporated by the project teams. These included making decisions about change/no change at an earlier stage than was suggested by the model; seeking additional evidence including survey data to benchmark "best" practices; and ensuring colleagues' and managers' input, support, and involvement. Four project teams (three of which addressed nursing procedural questions) found insufficient empirical evidence on which to base change; the outlook for directing evidence-based practice was promising for the remaining six projects. The EBP program was judged to be highly satisfactory to participants and their managers.
Thurston
Norma E
NE
Faculty of Nursing, University of Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
King
Kathryn M
KM
D000416:Alberta; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D019985:Benchmarking / Q000458:organization & administration*; D001800:Blood Specimen Collection / Q000451:nursing / Q000592:standards; D003152:Community Health Nursing / Q000458:organization & administration*; D003299:Cooperative Behavior; D003625:Data Collection; D003659:Decision Making, Organizational; D017719:Diabetic Foot / Q000451:nursing; D004059:Diffusion of Innovation; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine / Q000193:education / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006801:Humans; D008611:Mentors / Q000523:psychology; D016294:Models, Nursing; D020380:Needs Assessment; D009730:Nursing Assessment / Q000592:standards; D015403:Nursing Evaluation Research; D015399:Nursing Research / Q000193:education / Q000458:organization & administration*; D009740:Nursing Staff / Q000193:education / Q000458:organization & administration* / Q000523:psychology; D009936:Organizational Innovation; D015397:Program Evaluation; D006435:Renal Dialysis / Q000451:nursing; D012107:Research Design