Findings From a Pilot Study: Bringing Evidence-Based Practice to the Bedside.

Area of Science:

• Nursing Education
• Evidence-Based Practice Implementation
• Healthcare Quality Improvement

Background:

• Registered nurses (RNs) need continuing education and mentoring to effectively translate research into inpatient care.
• Adoption of evidence-based practice (EBP) is crucial for improving patient outcomes.
• Lack of structured support hinders the integration of EBP by nurses.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate a pilot program offering structured EBP education and mentoring to nurses within a multihospital system.
• To assess the impact of the innovation on nurses' beliefs and implementation of EBP.
• To identify successes, challenges, and lessons learned in EBP program implementation.

Main Methods:

• A pilot project involved nurses from five units across five hospitals.
• Implementation of the Johns Hopkins Nursing Evidence-Based Practice Model and the Advancing Research and Clinical practice through close Collaboration (ARCC) Model.
• Pre- and post-intervention surveys using the EBP beliefs (EBPB) and implementation (EBPI) scales were administered.
• Qualitative data were collected through focus groups with 24 participants.

Main Results:

• Statistical analysis showed a positive shift towards EBP adoption among participants.
• Qualitative findings highlighted perceived successes and challenges in program implementation.
• Nurses at all practice levels require ongoing mentoring and coaching for sustained EBP.

Conclusions:

• Nurse engagement in the project fostered professional development and the clinical application of evidence at the point of care.
• The pilot's success led to administrative decisions to fund further nurse-driven EBP initiatives.
• The program offers a replicable framework for implementing and evaluating EBP nursing models.