Analysis of the impact of a national initiative to promote evidence‐based nursing practice

Abstract

Best Practice Statements (BPS) are designed to facilitate evidence‐based practice. This descriptive, exploratory study evaluated the impact of five of these statements in Scotland. A postal survey of 1278 registered nurses was undertaken to determine use of these statements and their perceived benefits (response rate: 42%). Use of the BPS differed across clinical sites and some statements were more likely to be used than others. Identified barriers and drivers to their use were similar to factors known to encourage or hinder evidence‐based practice generally. Although ≈ 25% of clinical respondents reported using the BPS, most respondents reported perceived benefits to patients usually through quality improvement. Results highlight the importance of facilitation and supportive contexts in encouraging clinical use of these statements. Findings suggest that variation in clinical implementation of the BPS need to be addressed locally and nationally if their benefits are to be maximized.