Social networks in the clinical practice evidence implementation strategy: experience from Hospital Regional Universitario de Málaga, Spain

Abstract

Introduction. Twitter has become the favored forum for communicating health care, since it allows users to publish and share messages with their followers. At Hospital Regional Universitario de Málaga (HRUM), they have used social networks, particularly Twitter, to facilitate implementing and broadcasting the recommendations from the Registered Nurses Association of Ontario’s (RNAO) Best Practice Guideline (BPG) for clinical practice. The objective of this paper is to describe the strategy and reflect on the role of social networks on the strategies and results of implementing the RNAO’s BPG recommendations. Topics of reflection. In accordance to the methodology of the Best Practice Spotlight Organization (BPSO) model, a leading role has been given to the nurses at each unit through training, creation of implementation teams and broadcasting the program. Using new records and, most of all, social networks, the strategy has obtained excellent results from professionals when it comes to adherence to the program, both quantitatively and qualitatively. Conclusions. The use of social networks as a broadcasting strategy in implementing the RNAO’s BPG recommendations has been well received by professionals. The strategy shows high participation levels and is a useful tool as a broadcasting strategy. More time is needed to monitor social network use and its possible impact on generating evidence, as well as the improvement of healthcare organizations and patient's health results.