Bridging Knowledge and Practice: Exploring Evidence Based Practice Implementation in Acute Care Nursing

Background The effective implementation of evidence-based practices (EBPs) in healthcare is essential for enhancing patient outcomes. However, in acute care settings, the adoption of EBPs can be inconsistent due to organisational barriers, hierarchical structures, and limited resources. Interprofessional collaboration and continuous professional development (CPD) are critical in overcoming these challenges, empowering nurses to apply evidence-based knowledge in clinical practice. Aim This study aims to investigate how EBPs are implemented in two large acute care hospitals in East England, focusing on the roles of interprofessional collaboration, nurse led initiatives, and CPD in facilitating or hindering EBP adoption. Materials and Method A collective qualitative case study design was used to examine EBP implementation across two hospitals with different organisational contexts. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews with nurses and physicians, and non-participant observation. Thematic analysis was conducted to identify key themes. Results The findings highlight that formal interprofessional collaboration, such as regular interdisciplinary meetings, significantly supports EBP adoption by enhancing communication and shared decision-making between nurses and physicians. However, professional silos and hierarchical barriers remain prevalent, often slowing EBP implementation and limiting nurse input. Nurses used their clinical expertise to independently advocate for and lead small-scale EBP changes, particularly in infection control and wound care, resulting in notable patient outcome improvements. CPD emerged as a powerful enabler, boosting nurses’ confidence and capacity to challenge outdated practices and advocate for evidence-based changes. Conclusion Formal collaboration structures and accessible CPD are essential to successful EBP implementation. Addressing hierarchical barriers and fostering interprofessional dialogue can improve the integration of evidence-based knowledge into routine care, empowering nurses as key drivers of change.