Indicators to measure implementation and sustainability of nursing best practice guidelines: A mixed methods analysis.

Background: The use of best practice guidelines (BPGs) has the potential to decrease the gap between best evidence and nursing and healthcare practices. We conducted an exploratory mixed method study to identify strategies, processes, and indicators relevant to the implementation and sustainability of two Registered Nurses' Association of Ontario (RNAO) BPGs at Best Practice Spotlight Organizations® (BPSOs). Methods: Our study had four phases. In Phase 1, we triangulated two qualitative studies: a) secondary analysis of 126 narrative reports detailing implementation progress from 21 BPSOs spanning four sectors to identify strategies and processes used to support the implementation and sustainability of BPGs and b) interviews with 25 guideline implementers to identify additional strategies and processes. In Phase 2, we evaluated correlations between strategies and processes identified from the narrative reports and one process and one outcome indicator for each of the guideline. In Phase 3, the results from Phases 1 and 2 informed indicator development, led by an expert panel. In Phase 4, the indicators were assessed internally by RNAO staff and externally by Ontario Health Teams. A survey was used to validate proposed indicators to determine relevance, feasibility, readability, and usability with knowledge users and BPSO leaders. Results: Triangulation of the two qualitative studies revealed 46 codes of implementation and sustainability of BPGs, classified into eight overarching themes: Stakeholder Engagement, Practice Interventions, Capacity Building, Evidence-Based Culture, Leadership, Evaluation & Monitoring, Communication, and Governance. A total of 28 structure, process, or outcome indicators were developed. End users and BPSO leaders were agreeable with the indicators according to the validation survey. Conclusions: Many processes and strategies can influence the implementation and sustainability of BPGs at BPSOs. We have developed indicators that can help BPSOs promote evidence-informed practice implementation of BPGs.

Corrigendum to "Exploring social movement concepts and actions in a knowledge uptake and sustainability context: A concept analysis" [Int J Nurs Sci 9/4 (2022) 411-421].

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1016/j.ijnss.2022.08.003.].

COVID-19 pandemic in long-term care: An international perspective for policy considerations.

This paper identifies key factors rooted in the systemic failings of the long-term care sector amongst four high income countries during the COVID-19 pandemic. The goal is to offer practice and policy solutions to prevent future tragedies. Based on data from Australia, Canada, Spain and the United States, the findings support evidence-based recommendations at macro, meso and micro levels of practice and policy intervention. Key macro recommendations include improving funding, transparency, accountability and health system integration; and promoting not-for-profit and government-run long-term care facilities. The meso recommendation involves moving from warehouses to "green houses." The micro recommendations emphasize mandating recommended staffing levels and skill mix; providing infection prevention and control training; establishing well-being and mental health supports for residents and staff; building evidence-based practice cultures; ensuring ongoing education for staff and nursing students; and fully integrating care partners, such as families or friends, into the healthcare team. Enacting these recommendations will improve residents' safety and quality of life, families' peace of mind, and staff retention and work satisfaction.

American Academy of Nursing consensus recommendations to advance system level change for nurse well-being.

The COVID-19 pandemic has required close examination of workforce-related stressors that over decades have contributed to widespread burnout, negative health outcomes, including mental health outcomes, and the loss of the well-educated professionals who are the future of the nursing profession. In the United States and globally, evidence points to factors known to diminish well-being, including inequities, issues of minority status, persistent discrimination, and demanding work environments. The American Academy of Nursing (AAN), dedicated to organizational excellence, nursing leadership and evidence-based policy, develops statements reflecting its mission and those of its nursing affiliates and corporate member, The American Nurses Association. Within nursing, despite the efforts of its members toward advancement, professional fulfillment is often constrained by the systems in which nurses practice and workplace factors over which they have little control. Action by key organizations to initiate changes at systems levels in workplace safety, to increase professional mobility, and propel policies that increase access to health care resources could improve nurse well-being. This paper proposes recommendations from the AAN Expert Panels on Building Health Care System Excellence, Psychiatric Mental Health and Substance Use, and Global Health Expert Panels for the American Academy of Nursing to leverage related policy in the arenas of government and professional/healthcare organizations. Transforming health care work environments and advancing nurse well-being and equity can be accomplished through key, innovative policy changes. These will be achieved through collaboration among associations, organizations, nonprofit groups, and with the public and the media.

Optimizing Clinical Practice through Rigorous Integration of Scientific Evidence / Optimizando la Práctica Clínica mediante la Integración Rigurosa de la Evidencia Científica / Otimização da Prática Clínica através da Integração Rigorosa de Evidências Científicas

This editorial provides healthcare professionals with critical reflection on the importance of evidence-based practice, as well as the challenges inherent in its implementation. It concludes that the successful integration of scientific evidence in clinical care requires individual and collective commitment ensuring coordinated action. The implementation of evidence-based practice guidelines serves as a catalyst. Keywords: Nursing; Evidence-Based Practice; Practice Guideline; Implementation Science; Artificial Intelligence. Palabras clave: Enfermería; Práctica Clínica Basada en la Evidencia; Guía de Práctica Clínica; Ciencia de la Implementación; Inteligencia Artificial. Palavras-chave: Enfermagem; Prática Baseada em Evidências; Guia de Prática Clínica; Ciência de Implementação; Inteligência artificial. In a global commitment to raise the quality of care in health services, governments from various latitudes have deployed substantial efforts with the purpose of maximizing results and containing costs. Yet, despite initiatives aimed at accelerating the systematic integration of clinical care based on the best available evidence, persistent variations in clinical praxis pose an immutable challenge. An essential component to mitigate variation in results lies in the availability, acceptance and consistent application of clinical evidence in the healthcare context, embodied in clinical practice guidelines and recommendations supported by evidence. There are examples of these, meticulously crafted, to be found in entities like the Guideline International Development (GIN) and the Registered Nurses' Association of Ontario (RNAO) in Canada, all freely accessible.

Exploring social movement concepts and actions in a knowledge uptake and sustainability context: A concept analysis.

Objectives: To share a concept analysis of social movement aimed at advancing its application to evidence uptake and sustainability in health-care. Methods: We applied Walker and Avant method to clarify the concept of social movement in the context of knowledge uptake and sustainability. Peer-reviewed and grey literature databases were systematically searched for relevant reports that described how social movement action led to evidence-based practice changes in health and community settings. Titles, abstracts and full texts were reviewed independently and in duplicate, resulting in 38 included articles. Results: Social movement action for knowledge uptake and sustainability can be defined as individuals, groups, or organizations that, as voluntary and intrinsically motivated change agents, mobilize around a common cause to improve outcomes through knowledge uptake and sustainability. The 10 defining attributes, three antecedents and three consequences that we identified are dynamic and interrelated, often mutually reinforcing each other to fortify various aspects of the social movement. Examples of defining attributes include an urgent need for action, collective action and collective identity. The concept analysis resulted in the development of the Social Movement Action Framework. Conclusions: Social movement action can provide a lens through which we view implementation science. Collective action and collective identity - concepts less frequently canvassed in implementation science literature - can lend insight into grassroots approaches to uptake and sustainability. Findings can also inform providers and change leaders on the practicalities of harnessing social movement action for real-world change initiatives. By mobilizing individuals, groups, or organizations through social movement approaches, they can engage as powered change agents and teams that impact the individual, organizational and health systems levels to facilitate knowledge uptake and sustainability.

Inappropriate use of clinical practices in Canada: a systematic review.

BACKGROUND: Inappropriate health care leads to negative patient experiences, poor health outcomes and inefficient use of resources. We aimed to conduct a systematic review of inappropriately used clinical practices in Canada. METHODS: We searched multiple bibliometric databases and grey literature to identify inappropriately used clinical practices in Canada between 2007 and 2021. Two team members independently screened citations, extracted data and assessed methodological quality. Findings were synthesized in 2 categories: diagnostics and therapeutics. We reported ranges of proportions of inappropriate use for all practices. Medians and interquartile ranges (IQRs), based on the percentage of patients not receiving recommended practices (underuse) or receiving practices not recommended (overuse), were calculated. All statistics are at the study summary level. RESULTS: We included 174 studies, representing 228 clinical practices and 28 900 762 patients. The median proportion of inappropriate care, as assessed in the studies, was 30.0% (IQR 12.0%-56.6%). Underuse (median 43.9%, IQR 23.8%-66.3%) was more frequent than overuse (median 13.6%, IQR 3.2%-30.7%). The most frequently investigated diagnostics were glycated hemoglobin (underused, range 18.0%-85.7%, n = 9) and thyroid-stimulating hormone (overused, range 3.0%-35.1%, n = 5). The most frequently investigated therapeutics were statin medications (underused, range 18.5%-71.0%, n = 6) and potentially inappropriate medications (overused, range 13.5%-97.3%, n = 9). INTERPRETATION: We have provided a summary of inappropriately used clinical practices in Canadian health care systems. Our findings can be used to support health care professionals and quality agencies to improve patient care and safety in Canada.

Tackling discrimination and systemic racism in academic and workplace settings.

Racism against Black people, Indigenous and other racialized people continues to exist in healthcare and academic settings. Racism produces profound harm to racialized people. Strategies to address systemic racism must be implemented to bring about sustainable changes in healthcare and academic settings. This quality improvement initiative provides strategies to address systemic racism and discrimination against Black nurses and nursing students in Ontario, Canada. It is part of a broader initiative showcasing Black nurses in action to end racism and discrimination. We have found that people who have experienced racism need healing, support and protection including trauma-related services to facilitate their healing. Implementing multi-level, multi-pronged interventions in workplaces will create healthy work environments for all members of society, especially Black nurses who are both clients/patients and providers of healthcare.

Black nurses in action: A social movement to end racism and discrimination.

We bear witness to a sweeping social movement for change-fostered and driven by a powerful group of Black nurses and nursing students determined to call out and dismantle anti-Black racism and discrimination within the profession of nursing. The Black Nurses Task Force, launched by the Registered Nurses' Association of Ontario (RNAO) in July 2020, is building momentum for long-standing change in the profession by critically examining the racist and discriminatory history of nursing, listening to and learning from the lived experiences of the Black nursing community, and shaping concrete, actionable steps to confront anti-Black racism and discrimination in academic settings, workplaces, and nursing organizations. The Black Nurses Task Force and the RNAO are standing up and speaking out in acknowledgment of the magnitude of anti-Black racism and discrimination that exist in our profession, health system, justice system, and economic system. This social movement is demonstrating, in actions, how individuals and a collective act as change agents to drive meaningful and widespread change for our present and future Black nurses. We also acknowledge the Black nurses who have gone before us.

Transformando la enfermería a través el conocimiento: pasado, presente y futuro del programa de guías de buenas prácticas de Registered Nurses' Association of Ontario / Transforming nursing through knowledge: past, present and future of the Registered Nurses' Association of Ontario good practice guidance program / Transformando a enfermagem através do conhecimento: passado, presente e futuro do programa de orientação de boas práticas da Registered Nurses' Association of Ontario

Introducción. El programa de guías de buenas prácticas de Registered Nurses' Association of Ontario (RNAO) es integral, pues incluye el desarrollo de las guías, el apoyo activo para la implementación, y un sistema internacional de datos para la evaluación de resultados. Objetivo. Reflexionar sobre el proceso de transformación de la enfermería a través del conocimiento, teniendo en cuenta el pasado, presente y futuro del programa de guías de buenas prácticas de RNAO. Síntesis. Inicialmente se presentan los antecedentes que permiten el desarrollo del programa de las guías, la difusión, implantación y sostenibilidad de las guías de buenas prácticas. La expansión del programa se da a tres niveles: 1) ampliación hacia arriba, o mediante la ampliación de la cobertura; 2) ampliación hacia afuera, o mediante la adaptación de políticas, leyes y directrices; 3) ampliación hacia adentro, o mediante el cambio de normas y cultura. En relación con la difusión del programa de guías de buenas prácticas a gran escala se logran identificar factores de éxito tales como: localización, integralidad, solidez, resultados comprobados, accesibilidad, vanguardia e identidad colectiva. Conclusiones: El programa hace posible que las instituciones y los sistemas sanitarios se centren en la atención al paciente y en la excelencia clínica, usando la investigación más reciente para servir de base para la práctica y optimizar los resultados. El programa de guías ha ayudado a impulsar las prioridades gubernamentales, así como los resultados de pacientes, profesionales, instituciones y sistemas sanitarios.

Introduction. The Best Practice Guidelines of the Registered Nurses' Association of Ontario (RNAO) is a comprehensive approach that includes issuance of guidelines, active support for their implementation, and an international data system for assessing results. Objective. Reflect on the process of transformation in nursing through knowledge, taking into consideration the past, present and future of the Best Practice Guidelines of the RNAO. Summary. Initially, background is provided on the development of the Best Practice Guidelines, and their dissemination, implementation and sustainability. The program has been expanded at three levels: 1) upward expansion, or through increased coverage; 2) outward expansion, or through the adaptation of policies, laws and guidelines; 3) inward expansion, or through changes in norms and culture. In the large-scale dissemination of the Best Practice Guidelines, several success factors can be observed, such as: localization, comprehensiveness, solidity, proven results, accessibility, being at the forefront and collective identity. Conclusions. The program enables healthcare institutions and systems to focus on the patients and clinical excellence, using the most recent research as basis for the practice and to optimize results. The guidelines program has helped drive government priorities, as well as results in patients, professionals, institutions and healthcare systems.

Introdução. O programa de guias de boas práticas da Registered Nurses' Association of Ontario (RNAO) é integral, pois inclui o desenvolvimento dos guias, apoio ativo para implementação e um sistema internacional de dados para avaliação de resultados. Objetivo. Refletir sobre o processo de transformação da enfermagem através do conhecimento, levando em consideração o passado, o presente e o futuro do programa de guias de boas práticas da RNAO. Síntese. Inicialmente, são apresentados os antecedentes que permitem o desenvolvimento do programa de guias, a divulgação, implementação e sustentabilidade dos guias de boas práticas. A expansão do programa ocorre em três níveis: 1) expansão para cima, ou pela ampliação da cobertura; 2) expansão para fora, ou pela adaptação de políticas, leis e diretrizes; 3) expansão interna, ou pela mudança de normas e cultura. Em relação à divulgação do programa de guias de boas práticas em grande escala, é possível identificar fatores de sucesso como: localização, integralidade, solidez, resultados comprovados, acessibilidade, vanguarda e identidade coletiva. Conclusões. O programa permite que instituições e sistemas de saúde se concentrem no atendimento ao paciente e na excelência clínica, usando as pesquisas mais recentes para informar a prática e otimizar os resultados. O programa de guias ajudou a impulsionar as prioridades do governo, bem como os resultados para pacientes, profissionais, instituições e sistemas de saúde.

Assessment of the Nursing Quality Indicators for Reporting and Evaluation (NQuIRE) database using a data quality index.

A comprehensive data quality assessment is necessary to expand a nursing database that is designed for evaluating the impact of implementing Best Practice Guidelines (BPG) developed by the Registered Nurses' Association of Ontario (RNAO). This case report presents a method to standardize data quality assessments of the Nursing Quality Indicators for Reporting and Evaluation (NQuIRE) database by developing a data quality framework (DQF) and assessing key dimensions of the framework using a data quality index (DQI). The data quality index is a single key performance metric for assessing the quality of the database. The aims of sharing this case report are 2-fold: (1) to promote best practices for assessing data quality by developing and implementing a data quality framework and (2) to demonstrate an unprecedented method of assessing the data quality of a nursing database.

The implementation of Best practice guidelines in Spain through the Programme of the Best Practice Spotlight Organizations®. / Implantación de Guías de buenas prácticas en España a través del Programa de Centros Comprometidos con la Excelencia en Cuidados®.

The implementation of Best practice guidelines is effective in improving clinical practice and reducing clinical variability. The Best Practice Guidelines of the Ontario Nurses Association have been implemented in Spain since 2012 following the principles of the Canadian programme of the Best Practice Spotlight Organisations® (BPSO®). The Nursing and Healthcare Research Unit (Investén-isciii) coordinates this programme in Spain, having been nominated BPSO Host by the Ontario Nurses Association. Four strategies were followed: translation of the Best Practice Guidelines, dissemination of same and of the programme, implementation of the Best Practice Guidelines and assessment of the results in competitively selected centres, and, finally, the development of sustainability mechanisms. Implementation is based on the theoretical Knowledge to Action model, which establishes a cycle of 6 phases: identification of the problem and training of selected BPSO®; adaptation to the local context; assessment of facilitators and barriers; adaptation and implementation of interventions; monitoring and evaluation of results, and sustainability. Each of these phases incorporate evidence-based elements that promote the effectiveness of implementation, such as the competitive selection of candidates to participate in the programme, selection by the institution of the guidelines to be implemented, leadership by nurses with a multi-professional approach, planning of the process from work structures that are non-vertical but with the support of the institution, the simultaneous use of multiple strategies, ongoing assessment and feedback of results. All of which is mentored and supported by the BPSO Host. There are currently 27 institutions in Spain of different characteristics that implement a total of 20 clinical guidelines. The scope and structure of the programme has recently been extended with regional BPSO Host coordinating centres, which has brought the number of institutions to 36 and the number of implemented clinical guidelines to 22. The programme has had a positive impact on organisations and the system, on care processes and on patient health. This is evidenced by enriched evidence-based professional practice, the promotion of collaborative networking and by improved patient health outcomes and the quality of care provided.

Transformando la enfermería a través el conocimiento: resultados del programa de guías de buenas prácticas de la Registered Nurses' Association of Ontario (RNAO) / Transforming nursing through knowledge: results of the Registered Nurses' Association of Ontario (RNAO) good practice guidelines program / Transformando a enfermagem através do conhecimento: resultados do programa de guia de boas práticas da Registered Nurses' Association of Ontario (RNAO)

El programa de Guías de Buenas Prácticas (BPG Program) fue lanzado en 1999 por la RNAO y fue financiado por el Ministerio de Salud de Ontario. El propósito de este programa, desde su inicio, ha sido apoyar a las enfermeras proporcionándoles guías basadas en la evidencia para el cuidado del paciente en diversos contextos y sectores de la salud. Con ya cincuenta y cuatro guías en inglés, y otros idiomas inclusive, en su mayoría traducidas al español, se facilita su aseso libre de costo a millones de enfermeras y demás profesionales sanitarios en todo el mundo (www.rnao.ca).

The RNAO Good Practice Guidelines Program was started in 1991 and was funded by the Ontario Ministry of Health. The purpose of this program, since its beginnings, has been the support of nursing by providing evidence-based guidelines for patient care in different contexts. Currently, fifty-four guides in English, most of them translated into Spanish, are provided free of charge to millions of nurses and other health professionals around the world (www.rnao.ca).

O Programa de Guías de Boas Práticas da RNAO foi iniciado em 1991 e financiado pelo Ministério da Saúde de Ontário. O objetivo deste programa, desde o início, tem sido o apoio da enfermagem, fornecendo diretrizes baseadas em evidências para o atendimento ao paciente em diferentes contextos. Atualmente, cinquenta e quatro guias em inglês, a maioria deles traduzidos para o espanhol, são fornecidos gratuitamente a milhões de enfermeiros e outros profissionais de saúde em todo o mundo (www.rnao.ca).

Las redes sociales en la estrategia de implementación de evidencias en la práctica clínica: experiencia del Hospital Regional Universitario de Málaga, España / Social networks in the clinical practice evidence implementation strategy: experience from Hospital Regional Universitario de Málaga, Spain / Redes sociais na estratégia de implementação de evidências na prática clínica: experiência do Hospital Regional Universitario de Málaga, Espanha

Introducción. Twitter se ha convertido en el foro favorito para la comunicación de la atención médica, en cuanto permite a los usuarios publicar y compartir mensajes fácilmente a sus seguidores. En el Hospital Regional Universitario de Málaga (HRUM) se ha recurrido al uso de las redes sociales, particularmente Twitter, para facilitar la implementación y difusión de las recomendaciones de las Guías de Buenas Prácticas (GBP) de la Registered Nurses Association of Ontario (RNAO) en la práctica clínica. El objetivo del presente artículo es describir la estrategia y reflexionar acerca del rol de las redes sociales en las estrategias y los resultados de implantación de recomendaciones de GBP de la RNAO. Temas de reflexión. Siguiendo la metodología del modelo Best Practice Spotlight Organization (BPSO), se ha otorgado un papel protagonista a las enfermeras asistenciales de cada unidad a través de la formación, creación de equipos de implantación y difusión del programa. El uso de nuevos registros y, sobre todo, el uso de las redes sociales, ha obtenido unos resultados excelentes de adherencia de los profesionales al programa tanto a nivel cuantitativo como cualitativo. Conclusiones. El uso de las redes sociales como estrategia de difusión en la implantación de las recomendaciones de las GBP de la RNAO ha conseguido muy buena acogida por parte de los profesionales, pues muestra un alto nivel de participación, y es una herramienta útil como estrategia de difusión. Se necesita más tiempo para monitorizar el uso de las redes sociales y su posible impacto en la implantación de evidencias y la mejora de los resultados de salud de los pacientes y organizaciones de salud. Cómo citar: Bujalance Hoyos J, Grinspun D, Pérez Jiménez MT, Viñas Vera C, Jiménez Fernández MS, García Sánchez JA. Las redes sociales en la estrategia de implementación de evidencias en la práctica clínica: experiencia del Hospital Regional Universitario de Málaga, España. MedUNAB. 2020;23(1):107-117. doi:10.29375/01237047.3571

Introduction. Twitter has become the favored forum for communicating health care, since it allows users to publish and share messages with their followers. At Hospital Regional Universitario de Málaga (HRUM), they have used social networks, particularly Twitter, to facilitate implementing and broadcasting the recommendations from the Registered Nurses Association of Ontario's (RNAO) Best Practice Guideline (BPG) for clinical practice. The objective of this paper is to describe the strategy and reflect on the role of social networks on the strategies and results of implementing the RNAO's BPG recommendations. Topics of reflection. In accordance to the methodology of the Best Practice Spotlight Organization (BPSO) model, a leading role has been given to the nurses at each unit through training, creation of implementation teams and broadcasting the program. Using new records and, most of all, social networks, the strategy has obtained excellent results from professionals when it comes to adherence to the program, both quantitatively and qualitatively. Conclusions. The use of social networks as a broadcasting strategy in implementing the RNAO's BPG recommendations has been well received by professionals. The strategy shows high participation levels and is a useful tool as a broadcasting strategy. More time is needed to monitor social network use and its possible impact on generating evidence, as well as the improvement of healthcare organizations and patient's health results. Cómo citar: Bujalance Hoyos J, Grinspun D, Pérez Jiménez MT, Viñas Vera C, Jiménez Fernández MS, García Sánchez JA. Las redes sociales en la estrategia de implementación de evidencias en la práctica clínica: experiencia del Hospital Regional Universitario de Málaga, España. MedUNAB. 2020;23(1):107-117. doi:10.29375/01237047.3571

Introdução. O Twitter se tornou o fórum favorito para a comunicação no atendimento médico, pois permite que os usuários publiquem e compartilhem facilmente mensagens para seus seguidores. No Hospital Regional Universitário de Málaga (HRUM), foram utilizadas as redes sociais, particularmente o Twitter, para facilitar a implementação e disseminação das recomendações das Guias de Boas Práticas (GBP) da Registered Nurses Association of Ontario (RNAO) na prática clínica. O objetivo deste artigo é descrever a estratégia e refletir sobre o papel das redes sociais nas estratégias e nos resultados da implementação das recomendações do GBPs da RNAO. Tópicos de reflexão. Seguindo a metodología do modelo Best Practice Spotlight Organization, foi atribuído um papel essencial às enfermeiras de cada unidade por meio de treinamento, criação de equipes de implementação e divulgação do programa. O uso de novos registros e, sobretudo, o uso de redes sociais, obteve excelentes resultados de adesão dos profissionais ao programa, tanto quantitativa quanto qualitativamente. Conclusões. O uso das redes sociais como estratégia de disseminação na implementação das recomendações do GBPs da RNAO alcançou uma boa recepção pelos profissionais, pois mostra um alto nível de participação e é uma ferramenta útil como estratégia de disseminação. É necessário mais tempo para monitorar o uso das redes sociais e seu possível impacto na implementação de evidências e na melhoria dos resultados de saúde de pacientes e organizações de saúde. Cómo citar: Bujalance Hoyos J, Grinspun D, Pérez Jiménez MT, Viñas Vera C, Jiménez Fernández MS, García Sánchez JA. Las redes sociales en la estrategia de implementación de evidencias en la práctica clínica: experiencia del Hospital Regional Universitario de Málaga, España. MedUNAB. 2020;23(1):107-117. doi:10.29375/01237047.3571

Dementia Care in Canada: Nursing Recommendations.

ABSTRACTThe prevention and management of dementia in Canada is at a crossroads. Despite the low diagnosis rates, the number of persons living with dementia continues to increase. Yet, Canada's health care policies have resulted in more people living with dementia living at home, and with most of their care being provided by family, friends, and significant others. This Policy Note provides an overview of a joint submission from the Canadian Gerontological Nursing Association (CGNA) and the Registered Nurses' Association of Ontario (RNAO) to the Standing Senate Committee on Social Affairs, Science, and Technology. This article outlines the background and recommendations in five key areas of dementia care in Canada: health system resources, education and training of health providers, housing, care partners, and the integration of health and social supports. Based on these five key areas, a number of health and social policy interventions are discussed.

Getting guidelines into practice: lessons learned as Best Practice Spotlight Organization host.

BACKGROUND: The Spanish Best Practice Guidelines (BPG) Implementation Project is part of the Best Practice Spotlight Organizations international program, coordinated by the Registered Nurses' Association of Ontario (RNAO). AIMS: To influence the uptake of nursing BPG across healthcare organizations, to enable practice excellence and positive client outcomes. METHODS: After translating the RNAO's BPG into Spanish, the Host Organization published a formal call for proposals to select healthcare settings in Spain to implement the RNAO's BPG and evaluate the results. The approach is nursing-led and multidisciplinary; context specific; and involving a wide range of stakeholders. The implementation of BPG Toolkit guides the process: cascade training, selection of recommendations to be implemented, 3 years of planned implementation activities, monitoring of process and outcome results for patients discharged 60 days every year. The Host Organization supports healthcare settings selected. RESULTS/DISCUSSION: The first call was launched in 2012. Eight healthcare settings (11 sites), serving 1.3 million people, were selected (hospitals and primary healthcare centers). They chose 10 BPG, according to their needs. In 2015 and 2018, 16 more healthcare settings have joined the program with a total of 263 sites. And in 2019, three complete regions will join the program as a regional host. Currently, more than 3200 nurses and 40 other healthcare professionals have been trained, evidence-based protocols have been developed or updated, patient education has been promoted, and international Best Practice Spotlight Organizations indicators have been evaluated in an electronic platform. CONCLUSION: The results obtained acknowledge that the RNAO implementation method could be replicated with success internationally. The strategies based on local context have worked and we have consolidated a network that shares knowledge and strategies and promotes evidence-based culture among Spanish healthcare settings and evidence-based care to patients.

Optimizing Nursing Practice through Integration of Best Practice Guidelines into Electronic Medical Records.

A commitment to best practice guidelines (BPGs) is crucial for ensuring the safety of patients. Recognizing the power of information technology, Humber River Hospital has integrated BPGs into the electronic medical record (EMR) infrastructure. The large-scale implementation institutes a uniform standard of care and ensures adherence to BPGs through a forcing function designed to require nurses to complete and document the necessary assessments. The initiative strengthens the audit process and provides the opportunity to identify long-term trends. The implications of the quality improvement initiative are discussed. Due to the widespread use of EMRs, the replication of this initiative is economically feasible in other healthcare settings.

Predictors of new graduate nurses' health over the first 4 years of practice.

AIM: To examine predictors of Canadian new graduate nurses' health outcomes over 1 year. DESIGN: A time-lagged mail survey was conducted. METHOD: New graduate nurses across Canada (N = 406) responded to a mail survey at two time points: November 2012-March 2013 (Time 1) and May-July 2014 (Time 2). Multiple linear regression (mental and overall health) and logistic regression (post-traumatic stress disorder risk) analyses were conducted to assess the impact of Time 1 predictors on Time 2 health outcomes. RESULTS: Both situational and personal factors were significantly related to mental and overall health and post-traumatic stress disorder risk. Regression analysis identified that cynicism was a significant predictor of all three health outcomes, while occupational coping self-efficacy explained unique variance in mental health and work-life interference explained unique variance in post-traumatic stress disorder risk.