Journal Clubs - Translating Research into Practice

Purpose:
This presentation will provide an example of structure and process to assist nurses translating new knowledge into practice by identifying best practice through unit based journal clubs. The knowledge gained through these endeavors is appropriately incorporated into professional nursing practice.

Background/Significance:
The Department of Nursing with the guidance of the Nurse Scientist has developed and implemented unit-based journal clubs which enhance each nurses understanding of evidence-based practice and the formulation of clinical questions reflecting the patient population's needs and the culture of the unit. Journal Clubs are evolving as direct care nurses are incorporating the components of “The Iowa Model of Evidence-Based Practice to Promote Quality Care.”

Methods:
The process for establishing journal clubs includes leadership and staff discussing co-leaders, day, time, frequency, place, clinical questions, literature review, selection of journal article for review, availability of article for staff to review & prepare for discussion. When completed a summary of the discussion is compiled, a copy of the article is placed in a binder for staff not able to attend to review the discussion content. The infrastructure includes: the Chief Nursing Officer, ACNOs, Directors, Nurse Scientist, Clinical Leaders, Educators & staff. The resources include the Health Sciences Librarian, the Evidence-Based Practice power point presentation and the CD Rom materials.

Results:
1. One unit is developing expertise in wound care, to inform practice & serve the needs of wound care patients. The club is investigating wet to dry dressings & the use of sterile nl saline v. potable tap water for irrigation. 2.The psychiatric unit is interested in the utilization of space & people. The unit monitors NDNQI staff engagement results to validate improvement. 3.The Maternal Newborn Service is looking at the knowledge deficit that staff have in meeting the needs of NAS infant & psychosocial needs of mother while tempering bias with compassionate understanding of mother struggling with addiction.

Conclusions and Implications for Practice:
The Journal Clubs provide a forum for a community of clinicians to translate new knowledge into nursing practice in order to expand the application of research in practice. Unit journal clubs promote interactive learning through discussions utilizing critical analysis and evaluation guidelines.