Overview
Acute care health centres are under increasing pressure to deliver safe, low-variability, cost-effective, patient-centred care. Evidence-based healthcare is central to achieving this vision, but embedding a culture of best practice presents organisational, individual and social challenges. Building research culture and capacity requires resources, contextual relevance, collaboration, self-efficacy and strong leadership support. Novel approaches are needed to close the research–practice gap.
The Queensland Centre for Evidence-Based Nursing and Midwifery: A JBI Centre of Excellence (QCEBNM) has operated within an acute health care setting for more than 20 years. As one of the inaugural JBI Collaboration entities, its staff strive to provide accurate, current evidence to inform clinical decision-making. In a dynamic, reactive environment like healthcare, strong leadership is essential to support and sustain change.
Background
In 2020 the organisation moved to a state-wide model, creating both challenges and opportunities. With over 11 private and public health facilities providing care across Queensland, staff need access to current research and information to support patients in both regional and metropolitan areas.
“Embedding JBI evidence-based practice resources within our services is one way of providing staff with up-to-date evidence-based information,” says Centre Director, Kate Kynoch. Conducting reviews relevant to health service issues is a priority for the centre.
One example is a 2021 qualitative synthesis on the experiences and needs of families with a relative admitted to an adult intensive care unit. From 20 included studies, four synthesised findings emerged on psychosocial health, proximity, information needs, and the ICU environment. Findings were collated into a JBI Review Summary highlighting three evidence-based actions clinical staff could take to support families. A video presenting the main findings in an engaging format was also developed.