Implementing Evidence-Based Practice Facilitators: A Case Series

In 2017, the TriService Nursing Research Program completed a strategic planning session, which identified key barriers to implementing evidence-based practice (EBP) within the U.S. Military Health System (MHS) including a focus on readiness training and deployments, frequent staff moves for military members, and relatively junior nurses in clinical roles. To facilitate EBP at individual military treatment facilities (MTFs), an EPB Facilitator role was developed using an evidence-based model and based on validated EBP competencies.

This new role was implemented at four MTFs in 2018: Naval Medical Center Portsmouth, 59th Medical Wing at Joint Base San Antonio Lackland, Naval Medical Center San Diego, and David Grant USAF Medical Center at Travis Air Force Base. This case series provides a description of the initial implementation of this role.

Common enablers and challenges were identified from the experiences at all four sites. These included the importance of incorporating efforts into existing organizational efforts and infrastructure; the value of nurse leaders inviting EBP facilitators to participate and engage in scheduled meetings and committees; the significance of engaging with existing quality, process improvement, and training initiatives; and the benefit of collaborating with advanced practice nurses within the organization. The common challenges for all EBP facilitators were the frequent staff turnover at all levels and a lack of standardization to review and approve EBP initiatives, which makes it difficult to navigate the complete process of project implementation and collaboration across sites. Another challenge has been the difficulty to measure the impact of this role at the MTF and MHS levels.

As EBP efforts continue and the program matures, it is anticipated that the outcomes from the individually completed projects, to include decreases in safety events, fiscal savings, and other improvements in organizational metrics, can be compiled to demonstrate the collective impact of these roles within the MHS.