Article type
Year
Abstract
Background: In February 2014, a Cochrane Review was published that found no evidence that the use of structured pressure ulcer risk assessment tools, which is a standard practice in National Health Service (NHS) hospitals in the UK, reduces pressure ulcer incidence. In April, the review was cited in new National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidance making the use of a tool an optional addition to clinical judgement.
Objectives: We wanted to share this with the nursing community and encourage them to reflect on their practice in the light of the evidence.
Methods: We engaged with nurses though Twitter and our weekly blog, Evidently Cochrane. Other opportunities arose from this initial activity: co-hosting two tweetchats (scheduled, live discussions on Twitter) with the WeNurses community and involvement in Stop The Pressure Month, led by NHS England with the support of The Royal College of Nursing (The RCN).
Results: Sharing the evidence on Twitter generated responses from nurses, who were surprised by the review’s findings, and some of these were incorporated into a blog. In March, over 100 participants joined a tweetchat to discuss the evidence. In November, Stop The Pressure Month, a follow-up tweetchat was held, to see if anyone had initiated changes in practice. This, and other recent Cochrane evidence on pressure ulcer prevention and management strategies, was shared in blogs on our own site and on The RCN’s blog site ‘This Is Nursing’. Nurses gave reasons why they would continue to use the tools, for purposes other than that for which they are intended, such as demonstrating activity and strengthening requests for equipment.
Conclusions: Social media was used very effectively to disseminate the evidence and engage nurses in debate about research and practice. It enabled us to widen our audience and raise awareness of Cochrane. New relationships with influential individuals and organizations were forged online which resulted in offline meetings and opportunities for future collaboration and communication.
Objectives: We wanted to share this with the nursing community and encourage them to reflect on their practice in the light of the evidence.
Methods: We engaged with nurses though Twitter and our weekly blog, Evidently Cochrane. Other opportunities arose from this initial activity: co-hosting two tweetchats (scheduled, live discussions on Twitter) with the WeNurses community and involvement in Stop The Pressure Month, led by NHS England with the support of The Royal College of Nursing (The RCN).
Results: Sharing the evidence on Twitter generated responses from nurses, who were surprised by the review’s findings, and some of these were incorporated into a blog. In March, over 100 participants joined a tweetchat to discuss the evidence. In November, Stop The Pressure Month, a follow-up tweetchat was held, to see if anyone had initiated changes in practice. This, and other recent Cochrane evidence on pressure ulcer prevention and management strategies, was shared in blogs on our own site and on The RCN’s blog site ‘This Is Nursing’. Nurses gave reasons why they would continue to use the tools, for purposes other than that for which they are intended, such as demonstrating activity and strengthening requests for equipment.
Conclusions: Social media was used very effectively to disseminate the evidence and engage nurses in debate about research and practice. It enabled us to widen our audience and raise awareness of Cochrane. New relationships with influential individuals and organizations were forged online which resulted in offline meetings and opportunities for future collaboration and communication.