Recommending an Evidence-Based Practice Change

The collection of evidence is an activity that occurs with an endgame in mind. For example, law enforcement professionals collect evidence to support a decision to charge those accused of criminal activity. Similarly, evidence-based healthcare practitioners collect evidence to support decisions in pursuit of specific healthcare outcomes.

Reflect on the four peer-reviewed articles you critically appraised in Module 4, related to your clinical topic of interest and PICOT.
Reflect on your current healthcare organization and think about potential opportunities for evidence-based change, using your topic of interest and PICOT as the basis for your reflection.
Consider the best method of disseminating the results of your presentation to an audience.
The Assignment: (Evidence-Based Project)

Part 4: Recommending an Evidence-Based Practice Change

Create an 8- to 9-slide narrated PowerPoint presentation in which you do the following:

Briefly describe your healthcare organization, including its culture and readiness for change. (You may opt to keep various elements of this anonymous, such as your company name.)
Describe the current problem or opportunity for change. Include in this description the circumstances surrounding the need for change, the scope of the issue, the stakeholders involved, and the risks associated with change implementation in general.
Propose an evidence-based idea for a change in practice using an EBP approach to decision making. Note that you may find further research needs to be conducted if sufficient evidence is not discovered.
Describe your plan for knowledge transfer of this change, including knowledge creation, dissemination, and organizational adoption and implementation.
Explain how you would disseminate the results of your project to an audience. Provide a rationale for why you selected this dissemination strategy.
Describe the measurable outcomes you hope to achieve with the implementation of this evidence-based change.

Full Answer Section

         
  • Readiness for Change:
    • [Hypothetical Example]: "Our ICU leadership and staff have expressed interest in improving patient outcomes related to skin integrity. There's a foundational understanding of evidence-based practice, and previous quality improvement projects have shown a willingness to adapt. Key opinion leaders within the ICU (e.g., unit educators, charge nurses) are generally receptive to new ideas backed by evidence, which bodes well for readiness."

Slide 3: Current Problem/Opportunity for Change
  • Current Problem/Opportunity: High Incidence of Hospital-Acquired Sacral Pressure Injuries (HAPIs) in the ICU.
  • Circumstances Surrounding the Need for Change:
    • [Hypothetical Example]: "Despite existing protocols (e.g., frequent repositioning, basic moisturizers), our ICU has experienced a persistent rate of Stage 2 and higher sacral HAPIs, particularly in long-stay, critically ill patients. Recent internal audits reveal that sacral HAPIs account for approximately 60% of all HAPIs in our unit. This impacts patient comfort, prolongs hospital stays, and increases healthcare costs. Furthermore, it's a key quality metric impacting our hospital's reputation and reimbursement."

Sample Answer

         

Evidence-Based Project: Recommending an Evidence-Based Practice Change

  PowerPoint Presentation Outline (8-9 Slides)
Slide 1: Title Slide
  • Title: Recommending an Evidence-Based Practice Change: Reducing Hospital-Acquired Pressure Injuries in ICU Patients
  • Your Name: [Your Name]
  • Course/Module: [Course Name/Number, e.g., NURS 6XX: Evidence-Based Practice]
  • Date: July 31, 2025
  • Institution Logo (Optional): [Your Healthcare Organization's Logo if appropriate, or a generic placeholder]

Slide 2: Introduction to My Healthcare Organization
  • Brief Description of Organization:
    • [Hypothetical Example]: "Our organization is 'XYZ Medical Center,' a 400-bed tertiary care academic medical center located in a metropolitan area. We serve a diverse patient population and provide a wide range of specialized services, including a busy 30-bed adult Intensive Care Unit (ICU)."
  • Organizational Culture:
    • [Hypothetical Example]: "The culture at XYZ Medical Center is generally progressive and patient-centered. There's a strong emphasis on quality improvement and professional development. Staff are often encouraged to participate in unit-based initiatives. However, like many large organizations, resource constraints (staffing, budget) can sometimes be a challenge, and buy-in for new initiatives requires clear evidence and a well-structured implementation plan."