DNP 820-A Topic 8 DQ 2: Evaluate evidence-based methods for implementing and sustaining an evidence-based culture. Describe two and discuss role of the DNP-prepared nurse within this type of culture. Provide two examples.
Sample Answer
Evidence-based practices (EBP) supports decision-making with a combination of research, quality improvement, expert opinions, and clinical decisions based on the current best practice. EBP supports optimal outcomes, quality of life, standardization of care, equivalent care with a lower cost and/or in less time, improved patient satisfaction, improved clinician satisfaction, and clinician autonomy (Dang et.al., 2022). Multiple organizations have a tremendous growth in EBP, however, there continues to be a push to enhance evidence-based practices. The culture of EBP is implemented by creating and sustaining an EBP-supported environment. The emphasis on quality and safety and national pay-for-performance initiatives has geared organization into developing strategic initiatives to guide, support, implement, and review EBP practices. This begins with the development of an EBP infrastructure and committed organizational leadership, thus transforming and establishing an organizational culture of practice based on evidence (Dang et.al., 2022).
A doctoral-prepared nurse can guide cultural change as a supportive leader by building a supportive environment, empowering clinicians, encouraging staff to drive change, engaging, and promoting EBP. Furthermore, a committed EBP DNP leader has a positive spirit and dedicates their focus to building EBP inquiries, practices, and enhancing positive outcomes. The success of EBP is directly associated with a leader’s active involvement and a “make it happen” approach. This leadership style is designed to be intentional, planned, and engaged. Altogether, these aspects will ensure EBP is adopted, spread, and sustained (Dang et.al., 2022). The DNP-prepared nurse can serve as a mentor to peers, nursing staff, and clinicians. Nursing staff have perceived beliefs that current and own practices were based on EBP with minimal knowledge regarding the actual practice and process of EBP (Saunders & Vehvilainen-Julkunen, 2016). A support leader and mentor alongside a change champion for each department can provide safe and supportive culture to enable staff to learn skills and competencies influenced by EBP.
Dang, D., Dearholt, S., Bissett, K., Ascenzi, J., & Whalen, M. (2022). Johns Hopkins evidence-based practice for nurses and healthcare professionals: Model and Guidelines. Sigma Theta Tau International.
Saunders, H., & Vehviläinen-Julkunen, K. (2016). Nurses’ evidence-based practice beliefs and the role of evidence-based practice mentors at university hospitals in Finland. Worldviews on Evidence-Based Nursing, 14(1), 35–45. https://doi.org/10.1111/wvn.12189
It is true that evidence-based practices (EBP) supports decision-making with a combination of research, quality improvement, and expert opinions. Therefore, healthcare providers and professionals assume that EBP leads to accurate clinical decisions. These right clinical choices are credited to improve patient positive outcome and promotion of patient safety. Most healthcare institutions have expressed their desire to incorporate EBP in their healthcare delivery (Flodgren et al., 2019). Healthcare organizations that have successfully implemented EBP has reported improve organizational performance and patient experience. The positive reporting has attracted other healthcare organizations to incorporate EBP. The emphasis on quality and safety and national pay-for-performance initiatives has geared organization into developing strategic initiatives to guide, support, implement, and review EBP practices (Saunders & Vehviläinen‐Julkunen, 2018). However, other healthcare institutions have failed to implement EBP despite their desires. Various challenges have been attributed to hindering the implementation of evidence-based practice in other healthcare institutions. Inadequate support and high incompetence levels are some of the hindrance to implementing EBP in most healthcare organizations.
References
- Flodgren, G., O’Brien, M. A., Parmelli, E., & Grimshaw, J. M. (2019). Local opinion leaders: effects on professional practice and healthcare outcomes. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, (6). https://doi.org/10.1002/14651858.CD000125.pub5
- Saunders, H., & Vehviläinen‐Julkunen, K. (2018). Key considerations for selecting instruments when evaluating healthcare professionals’ evidence‐based practice competencies: A discussion paper. Journal of Advanced Nursing, 74(10), 2301-2311. https://doi.org/10.1111/jan.13802
