Linking Hospitals to Communities Through Evidence-Based Practice.

Evidence-based practice (EBP) and innovation are critical to quality and improved outcomes in the acute care setting and are often driven by bedside caregiver and clinical nurse specialist collaboration. Several EBP models and frameworks exist to guide these efforts. Although existing models do not preclude external evidence and community-based stakeholders, they largely do not explicitly connect the hospital-based effort to the community either.

Implementation of a Protocol: Dexmedetomidine for Use in Long-Term Procedural Sedation in Non-Intubated Pediatric Patients.

The objective of this quality initiative was to evaluate the process of implementing a new protocol using the Iowa model and evidence-base interventions. The first aim included deploying a protocol guiding sedation with dexmedetomidine for up to 24 h; the procedure involved non-intubated pediatric patients in the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) while monitored by certified registered nurses. Dexmedetomidine is supported within the literature to be a safe and effective medication for pediatric patients, exceeding 24 h, without the adverse event of respiratory depression.

Lose the Whoosh: An Evidence-Based Project to Improve NG Tube Placement Verification in Infants and Children in the Hospital Setting.

Purpose: The purpose of this EBP project was to align NG and OG tube placement and verification practices with evidence-based recommendations for children.

Practice Change: An evidence-based NG/OG Tube Placement Algorithm was developed. The algorithm provided an individualized approach based on patient condition as well as a tiered approach that incorporated radiographs, tube measurement and marking, and pH testing.