Provide one example, with supporting evidence, of how clinical nurses used evidence-based findings to implement a practice new to the organization.
With the support of several evidence based practice proposals from US hospitals that use emergency bedside ultrasound technology, a decision was made to bring this technology to the providers and nurses at FF Thompson Hospital. Megan Didas, BSN, RN, Clinical Nurse, Emergency Department, completed a study on ultrasound-guided intravenous (USGPIV) insertion (Exhibit NK3.1), and from her study, a hands on competency was completed along with development of an educational protocol for new users to follow. Megan presented her thesis and evidence-based findings to the Ethics Committee, along with Hazel Robertshaw, PhD, RN, CENP, and Vijay Bansal, MD, Chief of Emergency Medicine. Upon approval, Megan created education around the new equipment and process. It was identified through the most recent Educational Opportunity Survey (See OO6) that clinical nurses prefer online education with post-tests, so the new protocol was placed online where all staff could access. Hands on education was offered to reinforce the education. This addressed multiple learning modalities to ensure understanding for all users. Post-tests were also completed to learn from the education what worked, how people learned the best, and if the users believed the education was useful within their institution.
Exhibit NK3.1
Exhibit NK3.1 MegDidasUltrasoundThesis.pdf
Many modalities were used in forming the education including; contracting with a trained ultrasound technician, reviewing with an expert learner, and reviewing with the educational team within the institution. Consequently, after the educational protocol for "Emergency Bedside Guided IV insertion with ultrasound" was introduced, a second ultrasound machine has been procured in the facility, and now nurses and providers are utilizing the technology in patients with poor IV access. With this new protocol, the expectation is that more users will use this technology to aide in IV placement, resulting in less risk of infection, fewer unsuccessful IV start attempts, and better quality of IV lines. Completion of training is captured electronically through Associate Services. See NK 2 for roster of associates completing this education.