Part 1: (Due 1/12/15)

Before making a case for an evidence-based project, it is essential to understand the culture of the organization in order to begin assessing its readiness for EBP implementation.

1) Complete the "Organizational Culture and Readiness for System-Wide Integration of Evidence-Based Practice Survey," located in the textbook appendix.

2) Develop an analysis of 250 words from the results, addressing your organization's readiness level, possible project barriers and facilitators, as well as how to integrate clinical inquiry.

3) Make sure to include the rationale for the survey categories scores that were significantly high and low, incorporating details and/or examples. Also explain how to integrate clinical inquiry into the organization, providing strategies that strengthen the organizations weaker areas.

4) Submit a rough draft of the survey results with your narrative analysis. However, a final draft of the survey results should be placed in the appendices for the final paper.

Part 2: (Due 1/12/15)

Write a paper of 500-750 words (not including the title page and reference page) on your proposed problem description for your EBP project. The paper should address the following:

1) Describe the background of the problem. Tell the story of the issue and why it deserves attention.

2) Identify the stakeholders/change agents. Who, or what organizations, are concerned, may benefit from, or are affected by this proposal. List the interested parties, patients, students, agencies, Joint Commission, etc.

3) Use the feedback from the Module 2 main forum post and refine your PICOT question. Make sure that the question fits with your graduate degree specialization.

4) State the purpose and project objectives in specific, realistic, and measurable terms. The objective should address what is to be gained. This is a restatement of the question, providing focus. Measurements need to be taken before and after the evidence-based practice is introduced to identify the expected changes.

5) Provide supportive rationale that the problem or issue is an important one for nursing to resolve using relevant professional literature sources.

6) Develop an initial reference list to assure that there is adequate literature to support your evidence-based practice project. Follow the "Steps to an Efficient Search to Answer a Clinical Question" box in chapter 3 of the textbook. 

7) The majority of references should be research articles. However, national sources such as Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS), Department of Health and Human Resources (HHS), or the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) and others may be used when you are gathering statistics to provide the rationale for the problem.

8) Once you get into the literature, you may find there is very little research to support your topic and you will have to start all over again. Remember, in order for this to be an evidence-based project, you MUST have enough evidence to introduce this as a practice change. If you find that you do not have enough supporting evidence to change a practice, then further research would need to be conducted.

Part 3: (Due 1/19/15)

To begin, work through the reference list that was created in the "Section B: Problem Description" assignment in Module 2. Appraise each resource using the "Rapid Critical Appraisal Checklists," available in the textbook appendix or electronically on the textbook student resource CD-ROM. The specific checklist you use will be determined by the type of evidence within the resource.

Develop a research table to organize and summarize the research studies. Using a summary table allows you to be more concise in your narrative description. Only research studies used to support your intervention are summarized in this table. Refer to the "Evaluation Table Template," available in the textbook appendix. Use the "Evaluation Table Template" as an adaptable template.

Write a narrative of 750-1,000 words (not including the title page and references) that presents the research support for the projects problem and proposed solution. Make sure to do the following:

1) Include a description of the search method (e.g., databases, keywords, criteria for inclusion and exclusion, and number of studies that fit your criteria).

2) Summarize all of the research studies used as evidence. The essential components of each study need to be described so that readers can evaluate its scientific merit, including study strengths and limitations.

3) Incorporate a description of the validity of the internal and external research.

It is essential to make sure that the research support for the proposed solution is sufficient, compelling, relevant, and from peer-reviewed professional journal articles.

Although you will not be submitting the checklist information or the evaluation table you design in Module 3 with the narrative, the checklist information and evaluation table should be placed in the appendices for the final paper.

Part 4: (Due 1/26/15)

Write a paper of 500-750 words (not including the title page and reference page) paper for your proposed evidence-based practice project solution. Address the following criteria:

1) Proposed Solution: (a) Describe the proposed solution (or intervention) for the problem and the way(s) in which it is consistent with current evidence. Heavily reference and provide substantial evidence for your solution or intervention. (b) Consider if the intervention may be unrealistic in your setting, too costly, or there is a lack of appropriate training available to deliver the intervention. If the intervention is unrealistic, you may need to go back and make changes to your PICOT before continuing.

2) Organization Culture: Explain the way(s) in which the proposed solution is consistent with the organization or community culture and resources.

3) Expected Outcomes: Explain the expected outcomes of the project. The outcomes should flow from the PICOT.

4) Method to Achieve Outcomes: Develop an outline of how the outcomes will be achieved. List any specific barriers that will need to be assessed and eliminated. Make sure to mention any assumptions or limitations which may need to be addressed.

5) Outcome Impact: Describe the impact the outcomes will have on one or all of the following indicators: quality care improvement, patient-centered quality care, efficiency of processes, environmental changes, and/or professional expertise.

Part 5: (Due 2/2/15)

1) In 500-750 words (not including the title page and reference page), apply a change model to the implementation plan.

2) Roger's diffusion of innovation theory is a particularly good theoretical framework to apply to an EBP project. However, students may also choose to use change models, such as Duck's change curve model or the transtheoretical model of behavioral change. Other conceptual models presented such as a utilization model (Stetler's model) and EBP models (the Iowa model and ARCC model) can also be used as a framework for applying your evidence-based intervention in clinical practice.

3) Apply one of the above models and carry your implementation through each of the stages, phases, or steps identified in the chosen model.

4) In addition, create a conceptual model of the project. Although you will not be submitting the conceptual model you design in Module 5 with the narrative, the conceptual model should be placed in the appendices for the final paper.

Part 6: (Due 2/9/15)

In 500-750 words (not including the title page and reference page), develop an evaluation plan to be included in your final evidence-based practice project. Provide the following criteria in the evaluation, making sure it is comprehensive and concise:

1) Describe the rationale for the methods used in collecting the outcome data.

2) Describe the ways in which the outcome measures evaluate the extent to which the project objectives are achieved.

3) Describe how the outcomes will be measured and evaluated based on the evidence. Address validity, reliability, and applicability.

4) Describe strategies to take if outcomes do not provide positive results.

5) Describe implications for practice and future research.

The proposal is the plan for an evidence-based practice project designed to address a problem, issue, or concern in the professional work setting. Although several types of evidence can be used to support a proposed solution, a sufficient and compelling base of support from valid research studies is required as the major component of that evidence. Proposals are submitted in a format suitable for obtaining formal approval in the work setting. Proposals will vary in length depending upon the problem or issue addressed; they can be between 3,500 and 5,000 words. The cover sheet, abstract, references page, and appendices are not included in the word limit.

Section headings and letters for each section component are required. Responses are addressed in narrative form in relation to that number. Evaluation of the proposal in all sections is based upon the extent to which the depth of content reflects graduate-level critical-thinking skills.

This project contains seven formal sections:

1) Section A: Organizational Culture and Readiness Assessment

2) Section B: Problem Description

3) Section C: Literature Support

4) Section D: Solution Description

5) Section E: Change Model

6) Section F: Implementation Plan

7) Section G: Evaluation of Process

Each section (A-G) will be submitted as separate assignments so your instructor can provide feedback (refer to applicable modules for further descriptions of each section).

The final paper will consist of the completed project (with revisions to all sections), title page, abstract, reference list, and appendices. Appendices will include a conceptual model for the project, handouts, data and evaluation collection tools, a budget, a timeline, resource lists, and approval forms.