From literature review to guidelines – a model for practice Available to Purchase

Implementation of “expert!” guidelines to achieve evidence‐based health care is a persisting problem. Education, strategic planning and project management have all been identified as crucial for successful local adoption. In a collaboration between a health authority and academic research unit, these elements were provided by active involvement with a group of community and hospital‐based nurses from related Trusts, following the development of evidence‐based guidelines on the management of leg ulcers. Detailed guidelines, easily accessible to local practitioners, were produced and subsequently launched by the health authority to local GPs and NHS Trusts. Nurses on the working party will act as a resource and change agent to colleagues and will produce the teaching pack and audit tool. The health authority plan to conduct a base‐line audit which local Trusts will be required to follow up at regular intervals. The project provides a model for introducing research‐based care at clinical level.