The process of translating research findings into nursing practice

Action research studies are described which involved nurse teachers, ward sisters and nurse managers in the processes of: nursing practice problem identification and the search for relevant research literature; the evaluation and synthesis of the collected literature; the identification of the need to change practice and the translation of the research synthesis into practice if warranted. The processes engaged in by the groups in each of the three phases in relation to the management of mouth care and preoperative fasting are analysed. The findings suggest that the demands of these processes are beyond the capacity of any one individual nurse and require systematic organizational approaches such as that proposed by quality assurance programmes. The need is emphasized for as much status and resources to be expended on the utilization of existing information as is given to the generation of new knowledge.