Associations Between Barriers to Implementing Evidence-Based Practice and Patient Safety

Background and Purpose: Few studies have assessed the associations between barriers to evidence-based practice (EBP) implementation and patient safety perceptions among nurses. The purpose of this study was to describe perceived barriers to implementing EBP and their associations with perceived patient safety and the frequency of events reported among nurses. Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive study was used. A self-reported questionnaire was answered by 404 participants in Muscat, the capital city of Oman. Descriptive statistics and linear regression analyses were implemented. Results: Over half of the nurses expressed a positive response regarding the overall perception of patient safety. Nurses who perceived more barriers to finding and reviewing research had more overall perception of patient safety. Meanwhile, nurses who perceived more barriers to changing practice had more frequency of events reported. Implications for Practice: Interventions to decrease barriers to EBP should be included in all hospital policies and strategies to enhance patient safety perception and frequency of events reported among nurses. The strategies should focus on enhancing research utilization and changing practice.