Implementation strategies to improve critical care nurses' knowledge of and adherence to evidence-based guidelines

Abstract

Healthcare workers are responsible for providing evidence-based care to patients; however, many patients receive unnecessary or harmful care. Successful implementation of evidence-based guidelines can improve patient outcomes, particularly among vulnerable neuroscience patients. Focused efforts to improve nursing knowledge of and adherence to these guidelines are warranted. The purpose of this dissertation was to determine the most effective strategies for implementing evidence-based guidelines into nursing practice. First, an integrative review of the literature was conducted to explore studies addressing implementation of evidence-based guidelines in nursing. Implications from the review suggested further research to better understand which strategies should be utilized to best implement evidence-based nursing practices. Two pre- and posttest studies were then designed to identify a bundle of implementation strategies to improve neurocritical care nurses' knowledge of and adherence to stroke and spinal cord injury guidelines. The tailored, multi-faceted strategies consisted of local opinion leaders, printed educational materials, and educational outreach. Improvements in nursing knowledge of and adherence to these guidelines were noted. Lastly, program evaluations were conducted using a mixed-methods study to understand neurocritical care nurses' perceptions of the usefulness of the strategies employed during the two studies. Findings from this research provided support for the most effective implementation strategies to enhance knowledge development and guideline adherence among neurocritical care nurses for implementation of stroke and spinal cord guidelines.