abstract: This descriptive research used social network analysis to explore the influence of relationships and communication among hospital nursing (RN, LPN, CNA) and discharge planning staff on adherence to evidence-based practices (EBP) for reducing preventable hospital readmissions. Although previous studies have shown that nurses are a valued source of research information for each other, there have been few studies concerning the role that staff relationships and communication play in adherence to evidence-based practice. The investigator developed the Relational Model of Communication and Adherence to EBP from diffusion of innovation theory, social network theories, relational coordination theory, and quality improvement literature. The study sample consisted of 10 adult-medical surgical units, five home care agencies and six long-term care facilities. A total of 273 hospital nursing and discharge planning staff and 69 post-acute staff participated. Hospital staff completed a survey about communication patterns for patient care and patient discharge and about communication quality on the unit. Hospital and post-acute care staff completed surveys about relationship quality and demographic characteristics. Evidence-based practice adherence rates for risk assessment, medication reconciliation, and discharge summary were measured as documented in the electronic medical record. Social network analysis was used to analyze the communication patterns for patient care communication at the unit. These findings were correlated with (1) aggregate responses for communication quality, (2) aggregate responses for relationship quality, and (3) EBP adherence. Statistically significant relationships were found between communication patterns, and communication quality and relationship quality. There were ii two significant relationships between communication quality, and EBP adherence. Limitations in response rates and missing data prevented the analysis of all of the hypothesized relationships. The findings from this study provide empirical support for the role of social networks and relationships among staff in adoption of, and adherence to, EBP. Social network theory and social network analysis, especially the concept of knowledge sharing, provide ways to understand and leverage the influence of peer relationships. Future studies are needed to better understand the contribution that relationships among staff (social networks) have in the adoption of and adherence to EBP among nursing staff. Further model development and multilevel studies are / Dissertation/Thesis / Doctoral Dissertation Nursing and Healthcare Innovation 2016

A eletrocirurgia é uma tecnologia amplamente utilizada nas salas cirúrgicas. O período perioperatório oferece riscos para o paciente desde o momento da sua entrada no bloco operatório até o retorno para a unidade de origem e a eletrocirurgia constitui um destes riscos. A escassez de produção científica relacionada ao uso desta tecnologia nos motivou a elaborar este estudo. A implementação da prática baseada em evidências tem se tornado fundamental para a tomada de decisão do enfermeiro, sendo escolhida como o referencial teórico-metodológico adotado. O presente estudo é uma revisão integrativa da literatura, que teve como objetivo buscar e avaliar as evidências disponíveis na literatura sobre o conhecimento científico já produzido sobre os cuidados de enfermagem relacionados ao uso de eletrocirurgia no período intra-operatório. Para a seleção dos artigos utilizamos as bases de dados Medline e CINAHL, cuja amostra foi de 21 artigos científicos, os quais foram categorizados nas temáticas: complicações decorrentes do uso da eletrocirurgia (5 artigos); complicações decorrentes do uso da eletrocirurgia de alta potência (4 artigos); complicações decorrentes do uso da eletrocirurgia, outros equipamentos elétricos e agentes anti-sépticos (3 artigos); conhecimento dos enfermeiros sobre a unidade de eletrocirurgia (2 artigos) e recomendações práticas para o uso da eletrocirurgia (7 artigos). Os artigos publicados na área da enfermagem abordaram na sua maioria as recomendações práticas para o uso da eletrocirurgia (7 artigos); os relatos de casos (2 artigos) descreveram as queimaduras decorrentes do uso de eletrocirurgia com correntes de alta potência e 2 artigos avaliaram o conhecimento geral dos enfermeiros em eletrocirurgia. Na área médica todos os artigos eram relatos de casos (7 artigos), os quais descreveram as complicações (queimaduras) ocorridas devido a utilização desta tecnologia e as publicações consideradas de outras áreas (3 artigos) abordavam as queimaduras ocorridas no eletrodo dispersivo e em local alternativo. Os resultados deste estudo apontaram que é imperativo para o enfermeiro perioperatório o conhecimento técnico-científico sobre o uso da eletrocirurgia e as evidências encontradas fornecem subsídios para a implementação de políticas e procedimentos que garantam a segurança do paciente minimizando os riscos potenciais no uso desta tecnologia. / The electrosurgery is a technology largely used in surgical rooms. The perioperative period presents risks to patients from the moment they enter the surgical unit until they return to the unit of origin, and the electrosurgery constitutes one of these risks. The lack of scientific production related to the use of this technology motivated us to elaborate this study. The implementation of evidence-based practice has become fundamental to the nurse\'s decision process and was chosen as the theoreticalmethodological referential adopted. The present study is a literature integrative review that aimed to seek and evaluate the evidences available in the literature on the scientific knowledge produced on nursing care related to the use of electrosurgery in the period intra-surgical. For the selection of articles, the databases Medline e CINAHL were used and 21 scientific articles composed the sample, which were categorized in the themes: complications caused by the electrosurgery (five articles); complications caused by the use of high frequency electrosurgery (four articles); complications caused by the use of electrosurgery, other electrical equipments and anti-septic agents (three articles); nurse\'s knowledge about the electrosurgery unit (two articles) and practical recommendations for the use of the electrosurgery (seven articles). The articles published in the area of nursing approached, in their majority, practical recommendations for the use of electrosurgery (seven articles); the case reports (two articles) described burns caused by the use of electrosurgery with high frequency electric current and two articles evaluated nurse\'s general knowledge on electrosurgery. In the medical area all the articles were case reports (seven articles), which described the complications (burns) that occurred due to the use of this technology and the publications considered from other areas (three articles) approached burns that occurred in dispersive electron and in alternative site. The results of this study indicate that it is imperative for the perioperative nurse the technical-scientific knowledge about the use of the electrosurgery. The evidence found supports implementation of policies and procedures that assure the safety of the patient minimizing potential risks in the use of this technology.

Introdução: o modelo predominante de assistência ao parto no Brasil caracteriza-se pelo uso abusivo ou inadequado de intervenções e cerceamento dos direitos da parturiente (restrição à presença de acompanhante de escolha da mulher, realização de amniotomia de rotina durante o trabalho de parto, posição litotômica de rotina, infusão intravenosa de ocitocina de rotina, puxo dirigido e pressão no fundo uterino da parturiente durante a expulsão fetal) em todos os períodos clínicos do parto. Sabe-se que esse modelo pode ser modificado com a adoção das boas práticas de assistência ao parto normal preconizadas pela Organização Mundial da Saúde. Embora as melhores práticas no parto e nascimento estejam fundamentadas em evidências científicas, faltam pesquisas sobre sua implementação na prática clínica. Objetivo geral: avaliar o impacto da implementação das práticas baseadas em evidências na assistência ao parto normal. Método: estudo de intervenção quase experimental, tipo antes e depois, baseado na metodologia de implementação de evidências científicas na prática clínica do Instituto Joanna Briggs. Foi conduzido no Hospital da Mulher Mãe Luzia, maternidade pública de referência para a assistência obstétrica em Macapá, Amapá. Foram entrevistados 42 profissionais (enfermeiros e médicos obstetras e residentes das duas categorias) e 280 mulheres atendidas no trabalho de parto e parto. Também foram analisados dados de 555 prontuários de puérperas. A pesquisa foi desenvolvida em três fases: auditoria de base (fase 1), intervenção educativa (fase 2) e auditoria pós-intervenção (fase 3). A intervenção educativa consistiu em um seminário denominado Seminário de práticas baseadas em evidências científicas na assistência ao parto normal, oferecido para os profissionais. A coleta de dados ocorreu entre julho de 2015 e março de 2016. Os achados foram analisados comparando-se os dados das fases 1 e 3, adotando-se o nível de significância de 5%. Este estudo foi aprovado pelo Comitê de Ética em Pesquisa da Escola de Enfermagem da Universidade de São Paulo. Resultados: após a intervenção educativa, houve incremento de 8,3 p.p. na taxa de parto normal. Na entrevista com as mulheres, constatou-se aumento de 10,0 p.p. (p=0,002) da presença do acompanhante durante o trabalho de parto e de 31,4 p.p. (p<0,001) no uso da posição vertical ou cócoras. A realização de amniotomia foi reduzida em 16,8 p.p. (p=0,005), o uso de posição litotômica em 24,3 p.p. (p<0,001), a utilização de ocitocina em 17,1 p.p. (p=0,004), os puxos dirigidos em 29,3 p.p. (p<0,001) e a manobra de Kristeller em 10,7 p.p. (p=0,013). Na perspectiva dos profissionais, houve redução da prescrição ou administração de ocitocina de 29,6 p.p. (p=0,005). Na análise dos dados dos prontuários, observou-se redução significativa da taxa de amniotomia em 29,5 p.p. (p<0,001) e de posição litotômica em 1,5 p.p. (p=0,013), enquanto a taxa de posição vertical ou cócoras apresentou incremento de 2,2 p.p. (p=0,013). Conclusões: a intervenção educativa revelou impacto positivo na melhora da assistência à mulher durante o trabalho de parto e parto, com aumento da taxa de parto normal e, também, na visão das mulheres, que alegaram ter mais acompanhantes de sua escolha, poder adotar mais posições verticalizadas no período expulsivo, utilizar menos ocitocina, puxos dirigidos e manobra de Kristeller. Esses resultados conferem em parte com o dos profissionais, que citaram realizar menos orientação de puxos dirigidos e prescreverem menos ocitocina. Também coincidem parcialmente com as anotações dos prontuários, que incluem aumento das posições verticais e redução da posição litotômica e da prática de amniotomia. No entanto, verificou-se que os profissionais continuam empregando práticas como posição litotômica de rotina, puxos dirigidos e manobra de Kristeller, no período expulsivo. Conclui-se que houve um impacto positivo na proposta conduzida, mas mostra que o processo de implementação de evidências científicas na assistência ao parto normal adotado não foi capaz de obter sucesso completo na mudança das práticas obstétricas dos profissionais participantes. / Background: the predominant model of childbirth care in Brazil is characterized by abusive or inappropriate use of interventions and parturient\'s rights disrespect (such as restriction of presence of the chosen companion of the woman, routine amniotomy, routine lithotomy position, routine oxytocin intravenous infusion, directed pushing, and fundal pressure during second stage of labour) in all clinical periods of the childbirth. This model of care could be modified adopting good practices on maternal health recommended by World Health Organization. Despite the evidence-based best practices in childbirth, there is a lack of research on its implementation into clinical practice. Aim: to evaluate the impact of the implementation of evidence-based practices on normal birth. Method: before and after quasi-experimental study based on Joanna Briggs Institute Evidence Implementation method. It was conducted at Mãe Luzia Women\'s Hospital, a reference maternity hospital for maternity care in Macapá, Amapá, Brazil. Interview of 42 professionals (nurses, obstetricians and residents of both categories) and 280 women who were attended during labour and birth. Data from 555 puerperium records were also analysed. The research was developed in three phases: baseline audit (phase 1), educational intervention (phase 2) and post-intervention audit (phase 3).The educational intervention was a seminar named \"Scientific evidence-based practices on normal childbirth seminar\", attended by the professionals. Data were collected from July 2015 to March 2016. The findings were analysed comparing the data from phases 1 and 3, adopting a level of significance of 5%. There search was approved by the Research Ethics Committee from School of Nursing of University of Sao Paulo. Results: after the educational intervention, there was an increase of 8.3 p.p. in normal birth rate. According to the interviewed women, there was an increase of 10.0 p.p. (p = 0.002) in the presence of companion during labour and of 31.4 p.p. (p <0.001) in the adoption of vertical or squatting position to give birth. The amniotomy was reduced by 16.8 p.p. (p = 0.005), lithotomy position by 24.3 p.p. (p<0.001), oxytocin infusion by 17.1 p.p. (p = 0.004), directed pushing by 29.3 p.p. (p <0.001) and Kristeller maneuver by 10.7 p.p. (p = 0.013). In the professionals\' perspective, it was found a reduction in oxytocin prescription (29.6 p.p.; p = 0.005). In medical records data analysis there was a reduction on amniotomy rate (29.5 p.p.; p<0.001) and lithotomy position (1.5 p.p.; p = 0.013), while vertical or squatting position had increased in 2.2 p.p. (p = 0.013). Conclusions: the educational intervention showed a positive impact improving women´s care during labour and birth, increasing normal birth rate. Also in the women´s view, having more companions of their choice, they were able to adopt vertical positions in the second stage of labour and had less oxytocin infusion, directed pushing and Kristeller maneuver. These results confer in part with these of the interviews with professionals, who have cited performing less direct pushing and prescribed less oxytocin infusion. These results are also similar with the medical records, which include increase in the adoption of vertical positions and the reduction of lithotomic position and amniotomy. However, it was verified that professionals still practice lithotomic position, directed pushing and Kristeller maneuver in the second stage of labour. The educational intervention had a positive impact, but did not have complete success in changing professional practices.

I det här examensarbetet har vi undersökt hur socionomer upplever socionomyrket i relation till allmänhetens attityder och evidensbaserad praktik. Studien består av sex kvalitativa intervjuer med yrkesverksamma socionomer inom olika kommuner och enheter. Vi har använt oss av en tematisk analys kallad Framework. Studiens resultat visade att många socionomer upplever att media ofta rapporterar negativt kring socionomer och socialtjänsten samt att allmänhetens attityder ofta var negativa. Samtliga socionomer hade ändå fått höra positiva saker om yrket från den direkta omgivningen och kände en yrkesstolthet. Kunskapen om evidensbaserad praktik visade sig variera mellan socionomerna men ansågs främst vara ett stöd i det vardagliga arbetet. / In this thesis, we have examined how social workers experience their profession with consideration to public attitudes and evidence-based practice. The study consists of six qualitative interviews with professional social workers in different municipalities and units. We have used a thematic analysis called Framework. The studies result showed that many social workers have experienced negative attitudes about the profession described in the media and from the public. All the social workers had heard positive things about the profession from their surroundings and felt pride in their work. Knowledge of evidence-based practice was found to vary between the social workers, but was primarily considered to be a support in everyday work.

Magister Scientiae (Physiotherapy) - MSc(Physio) / Background: Musculoskeletal disorders (MSD’s) and sports injuries are commonly sustained throughout the world daily. They are dominant in many countries, with considerable cost involvement and impact on quality of life. For this reason they need to be recognised as a necessary part of general practice. MSD’s refer to a wide variety of diseases and disorders of the musculoskeletal system, such as degenerative and inflammatory conditions (arthritis), spinal and soft tissue disorders, osteoporosis and musculoskeletal injury. Managing these musculoskeletal conditions are a challenge and using the best available evidence should be the first the choice. All health professionals should have the ability to determine the best available evidence and thus strive to give their patients the best health care known to them. Evidence-based practice (EBP) is an important key in making this happen as it uses the best current evidence in the decision-making process regarding the care of patients. Literature highlights that health care professionals are expected to implement evidence-based practice (EBP); this means that newly graduated students and health care professionals alike are required to be confident in exercising this skill of EBP. When expecting EBP from students, educators need to realize that students have limited clinical experience. Therefore, they need the skills to acquire the best research evidence when applying the best treatment for patients. In introducing evidence-based practice, various research is aimed at evaluating the health professional’s attitude and behaviour towards evidence-based practice (EBP). There is limited research regarding the actual implementation of EBP in everyday practice. Aim: Therefore, the aim of the study was to determine if undergraduate physiotherapy students implement evidence-based practice in the management of musculoskeletal disorders and sports injuries. Objectives: The study had four objectives: i) To determine the most common treatment techniques used by students in the management of the conditions treated at the UWC clinic through data extraction of patient records in the clinic using a self-designed data extraction sheet, ii) To determine the knowledge and beliefs about EBP among undergraduate physiotherapy students through a survey, iii) To determine an evidence-based intervention strategy of one of the most common conditions seen through a systematic review and iv) To map the links between current practice, student beliefs and evidence-based information. vii Methodology: The study used a predominantly quantitative approach with a few open ended questions and took place at a student training Physiotherapy clinic. The first phase was a retrospective document analysis study which consisted of data extraction of patient records for the period January 2009 to December 2011. The second phase used a mixed methods approached and consisted of a questionnaire with both closed and open-ended questions. It was completed by the 2012 registered fourth year students regarding attitudes and knowledge of EBP. The third phase consisted of a systematic review to identify the evidence for interventions used to manage one of the most common conditions identified. In the final phase and discussion of this thesis triangulation of the data was used by the researcher in order to formulate a picture of whether students apply evidence-based practice by using the data extracted from the patient folders in combination with the questionnaire survey of the participants and the systematic review. Data analysis for phases one and two was done using SPSS Statistical package software to determine frequencies and descriptive statistics. Phase two also had two open ended questions and this was analysed thematically and data was coded, themes allocated and responses counted. The systematic review focused on systematic reviews of treatments for low back pain and this was narratively described. The research project received ethical clearance from the University of the Western Cape Research Grants and Study Leave Committee (project registration number: 12/3/12), and permission to conduct the survey was obtained from the Head of Department. Informed consent was obtained from all participants, they were informed of the research process at the outset of the project, and kept up-to-date at every major stage. Questionnaires for surveys were accompanied by an information sheet explaining the background and reason for conducting the survey, and students gave written, informed consent following an opportunity to clarify the study details. Results: The results showed that males were predominantly seen at the physiotherapy clinic, and that the most common complaint was pain in the neck, shoulder and lower back area. The students most common treatment choice was soft tissue mobilisation and the use of heat for all three these areas of pain. The questionnaire responses were also captured using SPSS and frequencies and descriptive statistics employed. These results showed that although students knew what EBP was it was not clear that they knew how to implement it. The systematic review assessed and established the most common treatments used in literature for the treatment of lower back pain; and pain, function and disability were viii the only outcomes considered. The only intervention that had a positive effect on the included outcomes was the use of manual therapy (spinal manipulation and mobilisation). In triangulating the data, it was shown that the students do not seem to use the same treatment choices as the literature indicates. Conclusion: The results show that there is very little link between the students choices of treatment for one of the common conditions highlighted and the current literature. It is therefore possible that although students understand the term EBP they do not show that they know how to use or implement the concept. Implications for practice: Institutions may need to be more vigilant about making provision for EBP in the curriculum as well as how it is implemented so that students can be comfortable with this practice. More randomised controlled trials and systematic reviews are necessary on physiotherapy interventions so that practice can be better informed. Finally, EBP is perhaps one way to promote a culture of life-long learning within the physiotherapy profession.

Aim: This paper is a report on a study that explored the professional development of intensive care unit nurses in journal clubs. Background: Evidence-based practice is important in nursing care (Krom, Batten, & Bautista, 2010). However few nurses feel comfortable using evidence to guide their practice (Pravikoff, Tanner, & Pierce, 2005). Journal clubs are a way to establish science as conversation (Wright, 2004) and foster knowledge translation for evidence-based nursing practice (Goodfellow, 2004). Methods: Monthly journal club meetings were held with the participation of a total of 71 healthcare professionals (65 nurses, 2 physicians, 2 pharmacists, 1 physiotherapist, and 1 respiratory therapist), who worked in two intensive care units of an Ontario hospital. After six months of meetings, 21 individual interviews were conducted with nurses, physicians, pharmacists, and nurse educators. Additional data collection included two focus groups, surveys, a review of staff meeting minutes, and researcher field notes. Findings: Journal clubs provided nurses with incentive to read research articles, improved nurses’ confidence in reading research, created a community of peers who worked collaboratively to improve clinical practice, provided a structure for nurses to reflect-on-practice, and led to reported changes in clinical practice. However, the data suggests that any gains in competence of nurses with the critical appraisal of research articles were probably modest. Barriers to participating in journal clubs and evidence-based practice are also identified. Conclusion: Journal clubs can foster knowledge translation and evidence-based practice through creating a community of practice and by providing nurses with motivation, structure, and confidence to read research articles. However, nurses reported a lack of critical appraisal skills and uncertainty about how to implement evidence into practice. Journal clubs may have a greater impact when implemented alongside other knowledge translation strategies such as working with clinical nurse specialists in order to enhance evidence-based practice.

No description available.

Purpose To understand the factors that influence nursing students’ use of evidence-based pain management guidelines in their clinical placements. Methods/Design Guided by educational and knowledge translation theory, multiple approaches were used: 1. A scoping review of the literature to identify and describe educational strategies to promote evidence-based practice (EBP) by nursing students in the clinical setting, along with associated barriers and facilitators from the literature. 2. A process to develop indicators of the use of pain guidelines in clinical practice. 3. A descriptive case study to determine the gap between evidence-based guideline recommendations and actual practice and to understand the clinical and educational contextual factors that influence nursing students’ use of pain management practice guidelines. Findings The scoping review identified 37 papers in total, 14 descriptive and 23 evaluation studies. Commonly identified barriers were lack of EBP knowledge and skills and lack of support in the clinical setting. EBP projects were the most frequently evaluated educational interventions, alone, or in combination with workshops or journal clubs. During the indicator development process, eleven guidelines were reviewed for quality, resulting in three quality guidelines. From these three guidelines, 12 recommendations were extracted. Quality indicators were then identified by a consensus process, resulting in 24 discrete indicators for the chart audit. For the descriptive case study, fifty-four charts were audited, and interviews were conducted with nine students, seven nurses, one professor, and one clinical instructor. Multiple documents were reviewed, and a site visit was conducted. There are gaps between pain guideline recommendations and practice in the clinical setting. Examples of barriers include the perception that guidelines are not applicable for the clinical setting, lack of knowledge regarding guidelines and an emphasis on task completion in the clinical setting. Facilitators included access to resources, curriculum changes, and the integration of guidelines in policies and procedures. These findings can inform the development, implementation and evaluation of evidence based educational strategies that take into account the multiple actors that impact nursing students’ experience, namely, in-class professors, clinical instructors, and staff nurses. Future education and research approaches should be rooted in knowledge translation and education theory.

Hospital-acquired pressure ulcers (HAPUs) represent a significant challenge in the care provided for hospitalized patients. HAPUs impact morbidity, mortality, and quality of life. At the local practice site, the incidence of HAPUs increased in the perioperative setting. The practice-focused question for this project asked if an education program for staff nurses working in a perioperative care setting with high HAPU incidence can advance nurse knowledge regarding prevention, early assessment, symptoms, and treatment of HAPUs. The purpose of this educational project was to develop a pretest and posttest designed education program on HAPU prevention and care for perioperative nurses. The Iowa model was used to guide content development with application of the content to nursing practice, and Watson’s theory of caring was used to align with the organizational core values. Information on the prevention and treatment of HAPUs was obtained from national and international guidelines. A presentation was developed to address the practice guidelines for assessment, prevention, and treatment of HAPUs. A standardized pretest from NetCE was given to 15 nurses and 5 medical assistants prior to the education program and again after the education program. NetCE score results indicated improvement in nursing staff members’ knowledge from 65 on the pretest to 100 on the posttest; medical assistants’ scores increased from 35 to 65. For patients who undergo surgical procedures, the results of this project may improve assessment, prevention, and treatment of HAPUs and thereby promote positive social change because patients have a reduced risk of HAPUs and HAPU-associated complications.

Magister Psychologiae - MPsych / Evidence-based practice (EBP) has been internationally recognised as the gold standard for the provision of safe and compassionate health care, and entails integrating clinical expertise with the best available research evidence in order to make effective decisions about the care of patients. The adoption of EBP remains slow, and this has been identified as a significant public health concern as few people with mental disorders in South Africa are treated using evidence-based psychological treatments (EBTs). Proponents of EBP have argued that the most effective way of sustaining the use of EBTs is by adopting EBP as a guiding pedagogical principle in professional psychology training programmes. For such efforts to be successful, it is pertinent to assess the receptiveness of the target population. Attitudes towards EBP remain the top indicator of successful adoption. The current study explored the attitudes and receptiveness towards EBP among clinical and counselling psychology students (N=57) at 11 accredited institutions nationally. Participation in the study was voluntary and the procedure followed all ethical requirements. All data collection occurred online. Participants completed a general questionnaire, the Evidence-Based Practice Attitudes Scale-15 (EBPAS-15) and the Organisational Culture and Readiness for System-wide Integration of Evidence-based Practice (OCRSIEP) Scale All data collection instruments demonstrated sound psychometric properties. A major finding of this study was that clinical and counselling psychology students reported favourable attitudes and receptiveness towards the adoption of EBP. The overall score on the EBPAS-15 indicated that students were likely to adopt EBP, while results on the ORCSIEP overall score indicated that they were receptive towards EBP and were ready to adopt EBP. An exploration of the association between attitudes and receptiveness towards EBP indicated that no correlation exists. Additionally, factors such as age, gender, psychology programme enrolment and preferred therapeutic orientation were not significantly associated with attitudes and receptiveness towards EBP. In conclusion, the results of this study suggest that there is a sound foundation on which to incorporate EBP into the professional training programmes of psychology students.