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Ask the expert: Research findings can support decision-making power

HCPro's Weekly Update on the ANCC Magnet Recognition Program®*, March 18, 2008

This week, a reader asks for an example of how nursing staff can use research findings to support decision-making. Read the response from our advisor Katherine Riley, MSN, RN, CNA, BC, vice president of nursing and coordinator for the ANCC Magnet Recognition Program® at Southwestern Vermont Medical Center in Bennington, VT.

Q: Can you provide an example of how nursing staff can use research findings to support decision-making?

A: First, factors that contribute to an autonomous environment include a trusting atmosphere that allows nurses to feel safe and supported in their decisions. Next, to help nurses find research to support their decision-making ability, develop a practice council or procedure review committee, consisting of direct-care nurses from each practice area. This council is empowered to develop, revise, and implement patient-care standards, policies, and procedures. Within these councils or committees, nurses must have access to current literature and research to support the area of practice and must be empowered to affect change based on evidence of best practice.

For example, nurses on a code response team identify that pediatric code carts lack standardization throughout the organization. These nurses then research best practices for resuscitation of the pediatric population, develop a proposal for the purchase of equipment (if needed), rewrite the related procedures, obtain necessary approval for any needed funds, and present their final recommendations to the appropriate council.

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