Other Titles

Pioneering Practices: The Journey to EBP Excellence in Healthcare [Symposium Title]

Abstract

Background. In the contemporary landscape of healthcare, evidence-based practice (EBP) has emerged as a cornerstone for ensuring optimal outcomes and enhancing the quality of care. EBP combines the best available evidence with clinical expertise and patient preferences.1 It is well-documented that when nurses engage in EBP, it leads to better patient outcomes. Nevertheless, its implementation faces several obstacles. Nurses lack confidence in fundamental EBP skills and encounter barriers such as inadequate resources, insufficient leadership support, and a lack of EBP mentors. Successfully overcoming EBP barriers at the organizational level requires the adoption of a structured conceptual framework for guiding and sustaining practice. The Advancing Research and Clinical Practice Through Close Collaboration (ARCC) model, originally designed for hospital systems to integrate and sustain EBP, was used to provide a framework to facilitate the journey to EBP adoption.

Purpose. This symposium will describe the journey one healthcare system has taken to foster the implementation and sustainability of EBP.

Results. The first presentation will describe the results of a system wide study on EBP competencies, beliefs, self-efficacy, organizational culture, and access to mentors. The second presentation describes the verification of psychometric properties of three recently developed shortened instruments: EBP Beliefs, EBP Implementation, and Organizational Culture and Readiness Scales. The final presentation will describe the development of two new educational programs, EBP for Leaders and the EBP Fellowship.

Discussion/Implications. Fostering a culture of EBP within a large healthcare system containing multiple hospitals with varying strengths and opportunities necessitates a multi-faceted approach. By applying the ARCC framework, the organization devised a comprehensive strategic plan for sustaining EBP. The introduction of an EBP fellowship and an EBP course for leaders addressed the identified barriers by creating EBP-competent nurses, educating leaders, and developing mentors, all of which contribute to fostering a successful EBP culture. By facilitating dialogue, sharing best practices, and promoting the adoption of EBP through the symposium, we aspire to contribute to the ongoing advancement of EBP practice to drive better outcomes.

Notes

References:

Connor L, Dean J, McNett M, et al. Evidence based practice improves patient outcomes and healthcare system return on investment: Findings from a scoping review. Worldviews Ev Based Nurs. 2023;20(1):6-15.

Melnyk BM, Gallagher Ford L, Zellefrow C, et al. The first U.S. study on nurses’ evidence based practice competencies indicates major deficits that threaten healthcare quality, safety, and patient outcomes. Worldviews Evid Based Nurs. 2018;15(1):16-25.

Melnyk BM, Tan A, Hsieh AP, Gallagher Ford L. Evidence based practice culture and mentorship predict EBP implementation, nurse job satisfaction, and intent to stay: Support for the ARCC Model. Worldviews Evid Based Nurs. 2021;18(4):272-281.

Melnyk BM, Hsieh AP, Gallagher Ford L, et al. Psychometric properties of the short versions of the EBP Beliefs Scale, the EBP Implementation Scale, and the EBP Organizational Culture and Readiness Scale. Worldviews Evid Based Nurs. 2021;18(4):243-250.

Melnyk BM. Achieving a High Reliability Organization Through Implementation of the ARCC Model for Systemwide Sustainability of Evidence-Based Practice. Nurs Adm Q. 2012; 36(2):127-135.

Description

Overall Symposium Summary: EBP results in the best outcomes for patients, nurses, and healthcare organizations. However, many barriers exist to implementation. The ARCC model is a framework to navigate challenges and foster the culture of EBP within a large healthcare system. The results of a large EBP with a diverse group of hospitals, describe the psychometric properties of three new EBP instruments, and describe two educational initiatives aimed at improving staff competency, and preparing EBP mentors and leaders.

To locate the other presentations in this symposium, search the repository by the Symposium Title shown in the Other Title field of this item record.

Author Details

Trisha Saul, PhD, RN, PMGT-BC, EBP-C; Cara Gallegos, PhD, RN, EBP-C

Sigma Membership

Non-member

Type

Presentation

Format Type

Text-based Document

Study Design/Type

Other

Research Approach

Translational Research/Evidence-based Practice

Keywords:

Mentoring and Coaching, Evidence-based Practice, EBP Implementation

Conference Name

36th International Nursing Research Congress

Conference Host

Sigma Theta Tau International

Conference Location

Seattle, Washington, USA

Conference Year

2025

Rights Holder

All rights reserved by the author(s) and/or publisher(s) listed in this item record unless relinquished in whole or part by a rights notation or a Creative Commons License present in this item record.

Review Type

Abstract Review Only: Reviewed by Event Host

Acquisition

Proxy-submission

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The Journey to EBP Excellence in Healthcare: Overview

Seattle, Washington, USA

Background. In the contemporary landscape of healthcare, evidence-based practice (EBP) has emerged as a cornerstone for ensuring optimal outcomes and enhancing the quality of care. EBP combines the best available evidence with clinical expertise and patient preferences.1 It is well-documented that when nurses engage in EBP, it leads to better patient outcomes. Nevertheless, its implementation faces several obstacles. Nurses lack confidence in fundamental EBP skills and encounter barriers such as inadequate resources, insufficient leadership support, and a lack of EBP mentors. Successfully overcoming EBP barriers at the organizational level requires the adoption of a structured conceptual framework for guiding and sustaining practice. The Advancing Research and Clinical Practice Through Close Collaboration (ARCC) model, originally designed for hospital systems to integrate and sustain EBP, was used to provide a framework to facilitate the journey to EBP adoption.

Purpose. This symposium will describe the journey one healthcare system has taken to foster the implementation and sustainability of EBP.

Results. The first presentation will describe the results of a system wide study on EBP competencies, beliefs, self-efficacy, organizational culture, and access to mentors. The second presentation describes the verification of psychometric properties of three recently developed shortened instruments: EBP Beliefs, EBP Implementation, and Organizational Culture and Readiness Scales. The final presentation will describe the development of two new educational programs, EBP for Leaders and the EBP Fellowship.

Discussion/Implications. Fostering a culture of EBP within a large healthcare system containing multiple hospitals with varying strengths and opportunities necessitates a multi-faceted approach. By applying the ARCC framework, the organization devised a comprehensive strategic plan for sustaining EBP. The introduction of an EBP fellowship and an EBP course for leaders addressed the identified barriers by creating EBP-competent nurses, educating leaders, and developing mentors, all of which contribute to fostering a successful EBP culture. By facilitating dialogue, sharing best practices, and promoting the adoption of EBP through the symposium, we aspire to contribute to the ongoing advancement of EBP practice to drive better outcomes.