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Ask the expert: Making EBP and research part of the culture

HCPro's Weekly Update on the ANCC Magnet Recognition Program®*, June 5, 2007

This week, a reader asks about the ANCC Magnet Recognition Program's® (MRP)  philosophy on research. Read the response below from our advisor Barbara Hannon, RN, MSN, MRP coordinator, University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, Iowa City, IA.

Q: What is the Magnet Recognition Program's philosophy on research?

A: The Magnet Recognition Program's criteria for research and evidence-based practice (EBP) are woven throughout the sources, but the core concentration is found in Force of Magnetism 6: Quality of care. Designated facilities are expected to integrate research and EBP into clinical and operational processes. But research and EBP are two different concepts.

The expectation for EBP is that it is operationalized and enculturated in the department at the unit level. For example, nursing practice, standards of care, and policies and procedures should be evidence-based and the written document needs to show how these were constructed, reviewed, and revised based on evidence and then disseminated down to the units. There must be ongoing evidence that nursing EBP projects are transforming patient care and improving outcomes and patient safety, and that any EBP project results are disseminated and enculturated at the unit level and as a practice change. Organizations hoping to receive designation cannot be static, but must always be working to improve patient outcomes through evidence-based research.

The conduct of actual research is more difficult. If organizations do not have their own nursing researchers, they can contract with academic centers where research is taking place and participate in that research. However, if outside nurse researchers are utilized, the home staff need to be actively involved in working with the researchers. In addition, the research being conducted must be relevant to their own population and benefit the home organizations, not just the researcher's project.

It takes a period of time for EBP and in-hospital research to become operationalized and enculturated across nursing departments. Enculturation indicates that even bedside staff nurses see the value in and are engaged in EBP and research to improve care. 

Editor's note: Do you have a question for one of our advisors? If you'd like us to consider your query for publication, please send it to Cameran Erny.

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