Strategies for knowledge mobilization by advanced practice nurses in three hospitals in Spain: a qualitative study.

BACKGROUND: Evidence-based practice, in conjunction with optimum care quality, improves patients' clinical outcomes. However, its implementation in daily clinical practice continues to present difficulties. The aim of this study was to identify the strategies applied by Advanced Practice Nurses (APNs) to foster adherence to clinical practice guideline recommendations. METHODS: An exploratory qualitative study was conducted with six focus groups at three public hospitals belonging to the Balearic Islands Health Care Service (Spain). The study participants were 32 ward nurses and 5 advanced practice nurses working routinely with inpatients at these hospitals. The study was conducted from November 2020 to January 2021, using thematic analysis, based on the COREQ checklist. RESULTS: Four major themes related to the facilitation process were identified either by RNs and APNs: the context of the project, APN contribution to nursing team management, healthcare provision on the ward, and the acquisition and application of knowledge. CONCLUSIONS: The APNs adapted their actions to the characteristics and needs of the local context, employing strategies aimed at improving teamwork, healthcare, and knowledge management. Each of these contributions enhanced the sustainability of the changes made.

Impact of advanced practice nurses in hospital units on compliance with clinical practice guidelines: a quasi-experimental study.

BACKGROUND: Incorporating the best available evidence into clinical practice is a determining challenge for healthcare professionals and organisations. The role of advanced practice nurses is viewed as a facilitator to adapt guideline recommendations to suit specific contexts and to overcome barriers to implementation. In this study, we evaluate the impact of advanced practice nurses on clinical indicators of hospitalised patients and on adherence to recommendations derived from two clinical practice guidelines (pressure ulcer prevention and treatment and vascular access device management). METHODS: Quasi-experimental study in five intervention (IU) and five control (CU) hospital units at three hospitals in Spain (period 2018-19). Five advanced practice nurses were incorporated into IU, with the intention that would produce attitudinal changes and enhance the skills and knowledge of the nursing team regarding 18 clinical practice recommendations. In this study, 41 indicators were evaluated through direct observation of all patients admitted, at monthly intervals for 1 year. Outcomes were assessed by means of a descriptive, multi-line regression and association analysis. RESULTS: The study population was composed of 3742 inpatients admitted for pressure ulcer assessment and 2631 fitted with vascular access devices. By the end of the study period, all variables had improved in the IU, where average compliance with recommendations was statistically significantly higher (pressure ulcer guidance 7.9 ± 1.9 vs 6.0 ± 1.7. OR 1.86, 95% CI 1.67-2.05; vascular access devices guidance 5.4 ± 1.4 vs 4.4 ± 1,6. OR 1.06, 95% CI 0.95-1.17). The prevalence of pressure lesions and catheter-related adverse events decreased statistically significantly in the IU compared to the CU. The prevalence of pressure ulcers decreases (5.7% in IU vs 8.7% in CU p < 0.005) as well as the prevalence of adverse events related to the catheter (14% In IU vs 21.6% in CU p < 0.005). The unnecessary catheters decressed in IU 10.9% VS CU 15.8% (p < 0.005). CONCLUSIONS: The incorporation of an advanced practice nurse statistically significantly improves clinical indicators related to the prevention and treatment of pressure ulcers and to the management of vascular access devices. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ISRCTN18259923 retrospectively registered on 11/02/2022.

Moving Evidence into Practice by Advanced Practice Nurses in Hospitalization Wards. Protocol for a Multicentre Quasi-Experimental Study in Three Hospitals in Spain.

Evidence-based practice (EBP) combined with quality of care improves patient outcomes. However, there are still difficulties for its implementation in daily clinical practice. This project aims to evaluate the impact of the incorporation of the Advanced Practice Nurse (APN) role on the implementation of EBP at three levels: context, nurses' perceptions, and clinical outcomes. Mixed-methods study in two phases is proposed. Phase 1: a quasi-experimental design where five APNs are included in five hospitalization wards that are compared with another five similar wards without APNs. Variables from Practice-Environment-Scale-Nursing-Work-Index, Health-Science-Evidence-Based-Practice-Questionnaire, and Advanced-Practice-Nursing-Competency-Assessment-Instrument are used. Clinical outcomes are followed-up with monthly. A descriptive and exploratory analysis is performed. Phase 2: an exploratory qualitative design through focus groups at the intervention wards after one year of APNs implementation. Explicative data are gathered to explain the progression of change and how actors perceive and attribute triggers, barriers, and facilitators for change. An inductive thematic analysis is performed. The inclusion of APN in hospitalization context is insufficiently studied. It is hoped that these figures provide solutions to the multiple barriers in the development of EBP in these sceneries and contribute to resolve the gap between research results and healthcare practice.

Enfermeras de práctica avanzada y práctica basada en evidencias. Una oportunidad para el cambio / Advanced practice nurses and evidence-based practice. An opportunity for change

En un contexto de envejecimiento de la población, aumento en la prevalencia de enfermedades crónicas y creciente complejidad, se hace necesario definir nuevos roles profesionales que consigan dar respuesta a las necesidades de salud de la población. A ello se une la certeza de que la variabilidad en la práctica clínica, así como en la gestión sanitaria, hace necesaria la adopción de las mejores evidencias como base de la toma de decisiones. Pero la aplicación de la práctica clínica basada en evidencia en un determinado contexto implica un amplio dominio de la evidencia disponible, su aplicabilidad y limitaciones, así como una profunda comprensión de las características particulares del ámbito en que se pretende aplicar, desde el nivel «macro» (políticas de salud, normativa marco, líneas estratégicas, valores sociales, etc.) hasta el «micro» (cultura local, preferencias de los usuarios, etc.). El Servei de Salut de les Illes Balears, en colaboración con la Facultad de Enfermería y Fisioterapia de la Universitat de les Illes Balears, propone el desarrollo de nuevos roles enfermeros de práctica avanzada que focalicen sus esfuerzos en la implementación planificada de evidencias en entornos clínicos. Las enfermeras de práctica avanzada han conseguido de manera natural, gracias a su desarrollo competencial, ejercer el papel de impulsoras de cambios organizacionales y actitudinales que facilitan la implementación de evidencia en organizaciones y entornos complejos

In a context of aging of the population, increased prevalence of chronic diseases and increasing complexity, it is necessary to define new professional roles that can meet the health needs of the population. Added to this is the certainty that variability in clinical practice, as well as in health management, makes it necessary to use best evidence as the basis for decision-making. But the application of clinical practice based on evidence in a specific context implies a broad mastery of the available evidence, its applicability and limitations, as well as a deep understanding of the particular characteristics of the area where it is to be applied, from the "macro" (health policies, framework regulations, strategic lines, social values, etc.) to the "micro" level (local culture, user preferences, etc.). The "Health Service of the Balearic Islands", in collaboration with the Faculty of Nursing and Physiotherapy from the University of the Balearic Islands, proposes the development of new advanced practice nursing roles that focus their efforts on the planned implementation of evidence in clinical settings. Advanced practice nurses have managed naturally, thanks to their competence development, to exercise the role of promoting organizational and attitudinal changes that facilitate the implementation of evidence in organizations and complex environments

Advanced practice nurses and evidence-based practice. An opportunity for change. / Enfermeras de práctica avanzada y práctica basada en evidencias. Una oportunidad para el cambio.

In a context of aging of the population, increased prevalence of chronic diseases and increasing complexity, it is necessary to define new professional roles that can meet the health needs of the population. Added to this is the certainty that variability in clinical practice, as well as in health management, makes it necessary to use best evidence as the basis for decision-making. But the application of clinical practice based on evidence in a specific context implies a broad mastery of the available evidence, its applicability and limitations, as well as a deep understanding of the particular characteristics of the area where it is to be applied, from the "macro" (health policies, framework regulations, strategic lines, social values, etc.) to the "micro" level (local culture, user preferences, etc.). The "Health Service of the Balearic Islands", in collaboration with the Faculty of Nursing and Physiotherapy from the University of the Balearic Islands, proposes the development of new advanced practice nursing roles that focus their efforts on the planned implementation of evidence in clinical settings. Advanced practice nurses have managed naturally, thanks to their competence development, to exercise the role of promoting organizational and attitudinal changes that facilitate the implementation of evidence in organizations and complex environments.