Johns Hopkins Nursing Evidence-Based Practice Thrid Edition: Model and Guidelines

9 Creating a Supportive EBP Environment 195

Figure 9.1 Elements of a strategic plan.

The organization’s leadership can support EBP efforts best by modeling the prac-

tice and ensuring that all administrative decision-making is evidence-based. For

example, if the organization’s leaders ask middle managers for evidence (both

organizational data and the best available research and nonresearch evidence) to

support important decisions in their areas of responsibility, it is more likely that

staff at all levels will also question and require evidence for their practice deci-

sions. Additionally, all organizational and department of nursing clinical and ad-

ministrative standards (policies, protocols, and procedures) need to be evidence-

based and have source citations on the standards if a need to retrieve the refer-

ence arises. For example, at JHH, the infection control department implemented

a policy regarding the use of artificial fingernails. Because nurse managers (NMs)

were challenged with how to hold staff accountable for this change in policy,

nursing leaders convened a group of NMs to conduct an EBP project on this

topic. As a result, NMs were then armed with the best evidence on the risks asso-

ciated with use of artificial nails and had direct experience with the EBP process

and how it can strengthen administrative practice. With such leadership examples

and activities, verbal and nonverbal EBP language becomes assimilated into ev-

eryday activities and establishes an evidence-based culture.

Year I
Strategic Plan

Year II

Build Competency

Year III

Formalize Structure

• Vision
  • Leadership readiness


• Organizational
  readiness


• Select project
  champion/lead


• Select project team
  • Select mentors


• Select model
  
  
  • Budget
    • Identify knowledge, skills
    abilities staff will need
  
  
  • Develop format, design,
    content of educational
    program
  
  
  • Pilot use of model and
    educational programs
    
    
    • Job descriptions
      • Committees
    
    
    • Orientation
    
    
    • Policies, protocols
    
    
    • Ongoing staff education
    
    
    • Internal and external
      dissemenation