An information technology infrastructure to enable evidence-based nursing practice.

Area of Science:

• Nursing Informatics
• Health Sciences Librarianship
• Evidence-Based Practice

Background:

• Implementing evidence-based practice (EBP) requires robust organizational infrastructure.
• Nurses need efficient access to the best available evidence for effective interventions.
• Existing literature focuses on organizational and research synthesis, not point-of-care IT infrastructure.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe a collaborative project between nursing and library services.
• To create a bedside information resource supporting nurses in using EBP.
• To enhance real-time access to research evidence at the point-of-care.

Main Methods:

• A Health Services Librarian collaborated with nursing staff.
• An information resource titled "Research-based Nursing Practice: Finding the Evidence" was developed.
• The resource compiles links to websites, articles, and other information resources.

Main Results:

• Nurses can now access resources at the bedside, reducing search time.
• The tool provides comprehensive information on defining EBP and accessing research.
• The system facilitates easier and quicker access to compiled literature.

Conclusions:

• This collaborative effort successfully created an IT infrastructure for EBP.
• The resource bridges the gap between evidence-based resources and clinical practice.
• Enhanced point-of-care access to research evidence supports nursing interventions.