These guidelines identify the evidence base for best practices for family-centered care in the ICU. All recommendations were weak, highlighting the relative nascency of this field of research and the importance of future research to identify the most effective interventions to improve this important aspect of ICU care.

Aim. This paper is a report of a study describing nurses' practices, knowledge, and attitudes related to evidence-based nursing, and the relation of perceived barriers to and facilitators of evidence-based practice.Background. Evidence-based practice has been recognized by the healthcare community as the gold standard for the provision of safe and compassionate healthcare. Barriers and facilitators for the adoption of evidence-based practice in nursing have been identified by researchers.Healthcare organizations have been challenged to foster an environment conducive to providing care based on evidence and not steeped in ritualized practice. Results. Organizational barriers (lack of time and lack of nursing autonomy) were the top perceived barriers. Facilitators were learning opportunities, culture building, and availability and simplicity of resources. Statistically significant correlations were found between barriers and practice, knowledge and attitudes related to evidence-based practice. What is already known about this topicNurses experience many barriers to evidence-based practice.Time is one of the most commonly-noted barriers to nurses employing evidence-based practice.Evidence-based practice improves the quality of care and patient safety. What this paper addsHigher perceived barriers related to availability and understanding of research were associated with lower knowledge and use of evidence-based practice, although effect size was small.The use of a computerized approach to implementing the instruments, as compared to paper methods used in research to date.Descriptive research can provide a baseline assessment for strategic planning efforts to move organizations toward evidence-based practice. Implications for practice and\or policyNurses need time away from the responsibilities of bedside care, autonomy over their practice, education in finding and assessing evidence, access to evidence, and mentorship to shepherd them through the implementation process and reinforce didactic learning.A research-based needs assessment is needed to provide an evidence-based foundation for organizational strategic planning efforts and educational initiatives to support evidence-based practice. 5Managers need to understand the ability of clinical nurses to implement evidence-based practice in the actual practice environment and to document the effectiveness of initiatives undertaken to promote evidence-based practice.6

In implementing evidence-based practice, the focus on barriers to research use among general nursing staff may be misplaced. Further studies are needed to identify the predictors of evidence-based practice and to identify the subset of nurses who are most amenable to adopting evidence-based practice.