SEEK™: A Program to Implement Evidence-Based Practice and Transform Oncology Nursing Practice.

BACKGROUND: Evidence-based practice (EBP) uses current and best evidence, clinical expertise, and patient values to drive clinical decisions. Organizations struggle with building and sustaining an EBP-focused culture. OBJECTIVES: This article shares the development and implementation of SEEK™ (Spirit of Inquiry, Expanding EBP Knowledge), an educational initiative on how to apply EBP processes at a Magnet®- and National Cancer Institute- designated comprehensive cancer center. METHODS: Participants learned principles of the EBP process using didactic sessions, small group exercises, and article critiques. With mentor guidance, participants searched for and appraised evidence, proposed interventions, designed an implementation plan, and developed metrics to measure results. FINDINGS: To date, 56 SEEK projects are in various stages of development and implementation. Based on postprogram survey results, SEEK participants and mentors demonstrated increased EBP knowledge.

Surgical management of non-small cell lung cancer.

OBJECTIVES: To provide an overview of the surgical management of early stage non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and its impact on survival and quality of life. DATA SOURCES: Published articles, book chapters, websites, and research studies. CONCLUSION: The primary treatment choice for early stage NSCLC is surgical resection. Advances have been made in all phases of care from diagnosis to rehabilitation, including better technology for staging, less invasive surgical techniques, and intra-operative and post-operative care that focuses on decreasing complications and improving survival and quality of life. New indications for the addition of adjuvant therapy to surgery can improve disease-free and long-term survival in a disease where the 5-year survival of stage I and II can be less than 50% and overall survival regardless of stage only 15%. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING PRACTICE: As health care educators and caregivers, nurses should be informed of the advancements in staging and surgical technique associated with early stage NSCLC and its impact on survival and quality of life.