title: Creating an environment to implement and sustain evidence based practice: a developmental process.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Elements of evidence based practice (EBP) are well described in the literature and achievement of EBP is frequently being cited as an organisational goal. Despite this, the practical processes and resources for achieving EBP are often not readily apparent, available or successful.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To describe a multi-dimensional EBP program designed to incorporate evidence into practice to lead to sustainable improvement in patient care and ultimately patient outcome.
  A multi-dimensional EBP program incorporating EBP champions and mentors, provision of resources, creation of a culture to foster EBP and use of practical EBP strategies was implemented in a 22-bed intensive care unit (ICU) in a public, tertiary hospital in Brisbane, Australia. The practical EBP strategies included workgroups, journal club and nursing rounds.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The multi-dimensional EBP program has been successfully implemented over the past three years. EBP champions and mentors are now active and two EBP workgroups have investigated specific aspects of practice, with one of these resulting in development of an associated research project. Journal club is a routine component of the education days that all ICU nurses attend. Nursing rounds is now conducted twice a week, with between one and seven short-term issues identified for each patient reviewed in the first 12 months.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A multi-dimensional program of practice change has been implemented in one setting and is providing a forum for discussion of practice-related issues and improvements. Adaptation of these strategies to multiple different health care settings is possible, with the potential for sustained practice change and improvement.
authors.affiliation: Research Centre for Clinical and Community Practice Innovation, Griffith University, and Spinal Injuries Unit, Princess Alexandra Hospital, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. l.aitken@griffith.edu.au
authors.forename: Leanne M
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Aitken
authors.forename: Ben
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Hackwood
authors.forename: Shannon
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Crouch
authors.forename: Samantha
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Clayton
authors.forename: Nicky
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: West
authors.forename: Debbie
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Carney
authors.forename: Leanne
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Jack
mesh_terms: D055317:Evidence-Based Practice; D006295:Health Resources; D006801:Humans; D007362:Intensive Care Units / Q000458:organization & administration*; D008611:Mentors; D009732:Nursing Care / Q000592:standards; D015279:Organizational Culture; D010348:Patient Care Team / Q000458:organization & administration; D056888:Patient Positioning; D010506:Periodicals as Topic; D016730:Program Development; D015397:Program Evaluation; D011793:Queensland