Use of Evidence-based Practice Models and Research Findings in Magnet-Designated Hospitals Across the United States: National Survey Results

Background All nurses have responsibilities to enculturate evidence-based practice (EBP) and translate and implement research findings into nursing care, practices, and procedures. Aims To report EBP-related findings from the national Hospital-Based Nursing Research Characteristics, Care Delivery Outcomes, and Economic Impact Survey questionnaire. Methods In this cross-sectional survey research study of 181 nursing research leaders, 127 responded to these questions: Has your hospital adopted or does it use a model of evidence-based practice? If yes, what is the name of the model and how is it used? Does your hospital implement (translate) findings from nursing research into clinical practice? Describe how your hospital implements these findings and whose responsibility it is. What factors do you believe facilitate the implementation of findings from nursing research into clinical practice at your hospital? Qualitative content analyses were used. Results Over 90% of nursing research leaders specified that their hospital used an EBP model and implements findings into practice. The most frequently reported models were the Iowa Model of Evidence-Based Practice, Johns Hopkins Nursing Evidence-Based Practice Model, and Advancing Research and Clinical Practice Through Close Collaboration Model. EBP models were used most frequently for education and training, nurse residency programs, and EBP and research fellowships. Findings were implemented through policy and procedure committee processes, shared governance structures, and EBP processes. Those responsible for implementing findings were project leads, nursing professional practice councils, and clinical nurse specialists and advanced practice nurses. Implementation facilitators were nursing leadership, dissemination of findings, and engaged and educated nurses. Linking Evidence to Action These new findings report >90% EBP model use and implementation. All nurses, especially our leaders, have responsibilities to evaluate EBP and how nursing research findings are implemented (translated) into practice. Ideally, engaged and educated nurses who enculturate, support, and sustain EBP will facilitate advancing nursing practice to improve patient and work environment-related outcomes.