Implementations and sustainability of evidence-based nursing guides: RNAO model

Abstract

Introduction. It is recognized that the evidence-based nursing (EBN) contributed to enhancing the quality of care and that there are organizations such as the Registered Nurses’ Association of Ontario (RNAO) that have developed guides on clinical practice and methodological strategies for their implementation. This article describes the experience and reflections on the implementation process of RNAO’s EBN guides, focusing on the sustainability and adhesion results of three guides implemented in a tertiary institution. Reflection topics. RNAO has created an implementation tool according to the knowledge-to-action process model which consists of six phases: problem identification, local context adaptation, assessment of facilitating agents and of obstacles for the use of knowledge, adjustment, deployment of interventions / implementation strategies, monitoring, evaluation and sustainability. All these phases were advanced to initially implement three guides (“Assessing and managing pain”, “Preventing falls and injuries from falls” and “Assessing skin lesions risk due to pressure”) at a tertiary institution. Conclusions. The periodic audit and verification of the strategies implemented promotes compliance by the service personnel as regards institutional goals and the sustainability of the change achieved.