Discuss An EBP Initiative Implemented In Health Care
Discuss An Ebp Initiative That Was Implemented In A Health Care Settin
Discuss an EBP initiative that was implemented in a health care setting (use fictitious names for people and places) and whether it was successful or not sustainable, with rationale. Choose one of four models of organizational change (Melnyk [2019], Chap. 15, pp. ) that you would use in an advanced nursing role to enhance sustainability of EBP initiatives.
Paper For Above instruction
In the busy landscape of healthcare, Evidence-Based Practice (EBP) initiatives are essential for improving patient outcomes and ensuring the delivery of high-quality care. One such initiative implemented in a fictional community hospital, "Sunnyvale Medical Center," involved the adoption of a standardized protocol for the management of hospital-acquired infections (HAIs), specifically targeting central line-associated bloodstream infections (CLABSIs). The goal was to reduce infection rates through strict adherence to evidence-based guidelines, staff education, and continuous monitoring. This initiative was driven by the hospital's infection control team and supported by nurse leaders and physicians committed to enhancing patient safety.
The implementation protocol included comprehensive staff training on sterile techniques, regular audits of clinical practices, and feedback mechanisms to reinforce compliance. The initiative showed early success, with a significant reduction in CLABSI rates within six months, aligning with the latest evidence supporting infection prevention measures (Craig et al., 2020). However, maintaining this level of compliance proved challenging over time. Factors contributing to sustainability issues included staff turnover, competing priorities, limited ongoing education, and inconsistent leadership reinforcement. Despite initial success, the infection rates gradually began to rise, indicating a decline in adherence to the protocol and questioning the long-term sustainability of the initiative.
To enhance sustainability, utilizing an organizational change model is critical. Among the four models presented by Melnyk (2019), the Stetler Model of Research Utilization stands out as particularly suitable for advanced nursing roles. This model emphasizes evidence appraisal, translation into practice, and ongoing evaluation within the organizational context. Its iterative process aligns with the need for continuous improvement and adaptability in dynamic healthcare settings. Using the Stetler Model, nurses can systematically assess evidence, tailor interventions to specific organizational needs, and implement strategies that foster ongoing staff engagement and leadership support. This approach ensures that evidence-based changes are integrated into routine practice sustainably, with mechanisms for monitoring and refining practices consistently (Stetler et al., 2019).
In conclusion, while the initial implementation of the infection control protocol at Sunnyvale Medical Center demonstrated promising results, sustainability was compromised without ongoing reinforcement and organizational support. Applying a structured change model like the Stetler Model can enhance the longevity of EBP initiatives by embedding evidence into practice through continuous evaluation, staff engagement, and leadership commitment. Nursing professionals in advanced roles play a pivotal role in championing such models to foster a culture of sustained evidence-based care, ultimately leading to better patient outcomes and organizational excellence.
References
- Craig, D. M., Smith, J. A., & Lee, R. K. (2020). Evidence-based protocols for infection prevention in healthcare. Journal of Nursing Management, 28(5), 1012–1020. https://doi.org/10.1111/jonm.13045
- Melnyk, B. M. (2019). Promoting evidence-based practice in healthcare: A practical guide. Wolters Kluwer Health.
- Stetler, C. B., McQueen, L., Demakis, J., & Mittman, B. (2019). The Stetler Model of Research Utilization. In R. A. H. McGrath, & L. J. Coulthard (Eds.), Organizational models of evidence-based practice (pp. 103–124). Springer.