Background 

Infusion of research findings into clinical practice is a challenging part of the research process.

Because the length of time between discovery and use of knowledge averages 20 years, methods are needed to speed translation of research findings into practice.

Few efforts have been made to coordinate the generation of new knowledge with the dissemination of findings from research to improve care of the elderly.

Research-based practice protocols 

The Research Development and Dissemination Core (RDDC) of the Gerontological Nursing Interventions Research Center (GNIRC) at the University of lowa emphasizes development of research-based (RB) protocols, which requires collecting relevant literature, critiquing studies, and synthesizing research findings for practice.

GNIRC-generated research is disseminated to nurses in practice, and the RDDC links nurses who identify clinical problems in care of the elderly with GNIRC scientists.

Currently, 19 RB protocols are offered for dissemination through the RDDC, and 5 protocols are under development.

Implementation and evaluation of research-based practices on « Split Thickness Skin Graft Donor Site Care » and « Nasogastric/Nasointestinal Tube Placement » are described. (...)