Final answer:
The nurse should conduct a pilot study to develop supporting evidence for the evidence-based change in protocol, gather feedback, and facilitate buy-in from management and staff, similar to a checklist method used by Dr. Pronovost in an ICU.
Step-by-step explanation:
The best option for the nurse who has used her PICO question to develop an evidence-based change in protocol for a certain nursing procedure is to conduct a pilot study to develop evidence to support the change. A pilot study enables the collection of preliminary data that can demonstrate the efficacy of the protocol change and potentially facilitate buy-in from management and staff. Through a pilot study, feedback can be systematically collected, and any resistance or concerns regarding staff movement or turnover can be addressed. Moreover, the nurse can use evidence from the pilot study to advocate for staffing changes if needed, rather than immediately resorting to seeking employment elsewhere or insisting on hiring more staff without sufficient justification.
For instance, by borrowing a method from airline pilots, such as using a checklist before a procedure, a nurse could initiate a small-scale test of the intervention. This is similar to what Dr. Pronovost did in an ICU to improve patient outcomes. Feedback from colleagues, adjustments to the protocol, and careful documentation of the pilot's outcomes can strengthen the case for the change, facilitating discussions with management and making a compelling argument for official adoption within the institution.