Life Is All about Change: Implementing Evidence-Based Practice [virtual]

To implement a practice change in an organization, nurses must review the body of evidence, develop a plan, and engage key stakeholders to gain support. This session will present a case study on designing and implementing a nurse-led research study to support an organizational practice change regarding peripherally inserted central catheter (PICC) flushing protocols. The INS Infusion Therapy Standards of Practice provides guidance on central vascular access device (CVAD) flushing protocols, but the standards do not specifically address the unique needs of blood cancer patients. As a result, some organizations may continue to hold onto outdated practices. This session will start with a clinical question about PICC flushing protocols and follow the journey to implement a nurse-led, randomized controlled trial comparing the practice of using heparin versus 0.9% sodium chloride in blood cancer patients with PICC lines. In this session, we will learn about how staff RNs and nursing leaders can gain support in implementing evidence-based practice within their organizations.

Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of this session, participants will be able to:

  • Define evidence-based practice.
  • Describe the steps involved in implementing a nurse-led research study.
  • Discuss the strategies that may be used to engage key stakeholders in implementing an organizational practice change.

Contact Hours: 1
CRNI® RUs: 2

Meredith Allen, BSN, RN, BMTCN

Meredith Allen currently works as an infusion nurse in the cancer center for University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center. Her role for the last 3 years has been as an acute care nurse, infusion nurse, and member of the rapid response team. Prior to her time at the cancer center, Meredith worked for the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Clements University Hospital, where she served as a bone marrow transplant nurse for 7 years. Her time included being a member of the unit-based council, a member of the nurse practice council, the chair of the unit-based newsletter, and a charge nurse. While working for University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Meredith served as the principal investigator for a research study titled "Comparative Effectiveness of Heparin Versus Normal Saline in Maintaining Patency of Peripherally Inserted Central Catheter Lines in Oncology Inpatients." From 2023-2024, she served as the chair for her hospital’s Nursing Research Council.

Linda Denke, PhD, RN, CCRC

Dr. Linda Denke has been a well-known nurse scientist in Dallas Texas, for the past 15 years. She is a prior director of nursing research at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, where she currently is still employed. Dr. Denke has led the Magnet research efforts in Dallas, Texas for other systems, published both research study findings and books, and presented all over the world on nursing research.

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Webcast
Live event: 05/20/2024 at 12:15 PM (EDT) You must register to access.
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