Pressures in health care have increased to cut the costs of providing services while keeping the quality of care at a high level. In order to accomplish this often conflicting goal, many approaches have been attempted to increase the use of research by health care providers. The purpose of this project was to improve the quality of life and outcomes for home health care patients through incorporation of research into nursing practice. The population for the project was patients with heart failure and their families receiving home health nursing services. The project was guided by the linkage model developed by Havelock. The action plan followed the research utilization process consisting of: (1) identification and synthesis of multiple research studies related within a common research base; (2) transformation of the research-based knowledge into a clinical protocol that specifies nursing actions to meet patient care problems; and (3) implementation and evaluation of the nursing actions within a nursing service organization through the use of a planned change process. The long term goal is to incorporate the process into agency practice. The Home Healthcare Nurses Association Nursing Practice Guidelines for the Cardiac Homecare Patient were used to develop a chart audit and then to design and implement the inservice program to address the identified deficits in nursing practice. The chart audit will be repeated 4-6 months after the inservice education. Results of changes in nursing practice will be reported. Advantages and disadvantages of the model will be discussed.
Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of this session, the participant will be able to: 1. describe a model for implementing evidence-based nursing practice; 2. discuss the advantages and disadvantages of the model; and 3. describe refinements for the model
Keywords: Evidence Based Practice, Home Care
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.