Implementing Evidence Informed Practice Changes

Abstract

OBJECTIVE This study examined nurses' perspectives about the barriers and facilitators to implementing research findings and evidence into practice. BACKGROUND Work environments play an essential role in implementation and innovation; however, much of the research regarding evidence-based practice focuses on nurses' knowledge and skills, leaving the work environments unexamined. METHODS A mixed method survey design was used. Data collection included an electronic survey and open questions. Analysis included descriptive statistics and narrative analysis using the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research. RESULTS Attitudes about implementing evidence into practice were positive. Identified barriers included lack of time and knowledge, change fatigue, and complex internal processes; facilitators included supportive colleagues, knowledgeable mentors, and access to libraries and other resources. CONCLUSIONS Implementing evidence into practice is facilitated by committing organizational resources, fostering supportive work environments, integrating evidence into quality improvement projects, offering continuing education, and reducing the complexity of translating evidence into practice and the number of institution-wide initiatives.

Barriers and facilitators influencing EBP readiness: Building organizational and nurse capacity

“…This major theme illustrated nurse expectations and opportunities versus the current reality. Nurses gave specific ideas to promote EBP such as journal clubs, participating in nursing research committees, and reviewing journals available on the unit, which aligns with current literature (Cornelison, 2019; Smith‐Miller, 2022). Other suggestions were participating in unit‐based teams or service councils, EBP training time on units, and yearly skills fairs.…”

“…Nursing practice and its evidence have been molded by many factors, including shared governance, accountability, and nurse‐driven decision‐making. One outgrowth of this movement is the Magnet® Model (Speroni et al, 2020), which provides the infrastructure needed to support evidence in practice and related resources (Brokob, 2022; Lal, 2022; Melnyk et al, 2020; Smith‐Miller, 2022). Evidence generated by these results and future studies can assist organizations in achieving and sustaining Magnet© status while ensuring the practice climate remains science‐based through organizational leadership and stakeholder support.…”

“…Additionally, key barriers and facilitators were collected that articulated the supports and resources necessary to advance nurses' implementation and data collection competencies. This information reinforced the need for EBP mentors with MSN and doctoral education to guide them in these knowledge uptake efforts (Melnyk et al, 2020;Smith-Miller, 2022;Speroni et al, 2020). By moving beyond isolated pockets of EBP excellence, organizations can then truly embrace a science-grounded culture with frontline nurse engagement to become a bright beacon for evidence and patient care.…”

“…A multitude of barriers exists, which limit the initiation, planning, implementation, evaluation, and dissemination of evidence‐based practice (EBP) within healthcare organizations (Melnyk, Tan, et al, 2021; Smith‐Miller, 2022; Speroni et al, 2020). These barriers are not unique to the United States and extend beyond its borders into the global community (Hasanpoor et al, 2019; Lizarondo et al, 2019; Wang et al, 2021).…”

“…Other disenfranchising elements included isolation from experts, workloads, inability to properly evaluate the quality of the evidence, and inability to implement new knowledge into practice (Melnyk et al, 2018; Wang et al, 2021). These multiple barriers have resulted in an inability for nurses to actualize EBP and change practice within their organizations (Berthelsen & Hølge‐Hazelton, 2021; Geerligs et al, 2018; Lizarondo et al, 2019; Smith‐Miller, 2022; Whitehorn et al, 2021).…”