Unit Leadership and Climates for Evidence-Based Practice Implementation in Maternal-Infant Health Units: A Cross-Sectional Descriptive Study.

ABSTRACT

AIMS: To describe unit leadership and climates for evidence-based practice implementation and test for differences in unit leader and staff nurses' perceptions within maternal-infant units. DESIGN: A cross-sectional descriptive study. METHODS: A convenience sample of maternal-infant unit leaders and nurses (labour, postpartum, neonatal intensive care, paediatrics) from four Midwestern United States hospitals completed a survey including the Implementation Leadership Scale (ILS) and Implementation Climate Scale (ICS). Descriptive statistics described items, subscales and total scores. Independent t-tests with Bonferroni correction tested for differences in perceptions. RESULTS: A total of 470 nurses and 21 unit leaders responded, representing 17 units. Ratings of unit leadership and climates for implementation were modest at best [ICS M = 2.17 (nurses), 2.41 (leaders); ILS M = 2.4 (nurses), 2.98 (leaders)]. Unit leader ratings were statistically significant and higher than nurse ratings. CONCLUSION: This study is one of the first to describe unit leadership and climates for implementation in maternal-infant health. To improve outcomes and equity in maternal-infant health, attention on leadership behaviours and unit climates for evidence-based practice implementation is needed. IMPLICATIONS FOR THE PROFESSION Nurse leaders are encouraged to evaluate their leadership behaviours and the unit climates they facilitate, and work to improve areas of concern or where staff perceptions differ. Staff nurses should work with their leaders to identify resources and rewards/recognition which support and facilitate EBP implementation. IMPACT This study addressed a gap in research examining the social dynamic factors of unit leadership and climate for evidence-based practice implementation in maternal-infant units. Leadership behaviours for implementation and unit climate were rated moderately by both staff and leaders. Unit leaders rated their implementation leadership and climates higher in almost all items. This study is relevant to unit leaders and nurses in maternal-infant units in the United States. REPORTING METHOD: This study adhered to STROBE guidelines. PATIENT OR PUBLIC CONTRIBUTION No patient or public contribution.