No tension, no change? - Use and Influencing Factors of a Nursing Guideline on Activities of Daily Living (ADL)

This study aimed to assess the utilization of key recommendations (KRs) of a nursing guideline on ADL-care and to explore influencing factors. In this pilot implementation study, nursing professionals (1) registered the KRs use over three weeks, (2) completed a survey identifying influencing factors, and (3) participated in focus groups. We descriptively analyzed the registration and survey data and deductively analyzed the focus groups. KR use varied between KRs and across care settings. KRs on involving care receivers were most frequently applied. Most factors were perceived as facilitating, including the inner setting, the guideline itself, and individual factors. Impeding factors included low tension for change. Focus groups highlighted additional constructs including procedural clarity and care receiver cooperation. The KRs appear generally implementable. Despite the perception that KRs are compatible with current norms and workflows, low tension for change raises questions about the awareness of opportunities for improvement in ADL-nursing.