Impact of evidence champions on evidence-based practice in local health departments

The utilization of Evidence Champions in acute care settings proved effective in promoting nurses' utilization of evidence in their practice. This session will describe an adaptation of the Champion model to public health nursing. Thirty-seven Champions from 22 local health departments were trained and supported over a period of two years through a combination of onsite training and monthly webinars and conference calls. Champions mentored staff and facilitated the adoption of evidence into their practice. Onsite staff training was presented to all health departments that designated a Champion. The staff training further enhanced the efforts of the Champions to increase the uptake of evidence as well as influence the organizational culture regarding EBP. Nurse beliefs about EBP and their EBP implementation were measured utilizing standardized instruments that had been adapted for public health nurses. At the beginning of the project, only 53% of Champions were certain they could implement EBP and less than 30% were sure that they could access the best resources in order to implement EBP. EBP is a new challenge for many health departments but it is a critical capacity for public health accreditation and quality improvement. This session will highlight the impact of the project on the EBP of Champions as well as the EBP of health department staff. It will compare changes in EBP between local health departments that designated a champion and those that did not. It will conclude by identifying personal and organizational attributes that promoted or impeded adoption of evidence-based practices.