Changing practice: modified clean technique for intermittent catheterization.

The purpose of this article is to share an experience of putting research into practice. A review of the literature conducted in 1997 revealed considerable support for the use of clean technique for intermittent catheterization (IC). Based on this support, planning began for a change in practice. According to Lewin's Classical Change Theory (Scott & Rantz, 1994), the first stage in change is unfreezing, when plans were made to ready for the change. Preparing for change included establishing a core group of nurses and clarifying the rationale for changing practice. Once preparation was complete, a 3-month pilot project was initiated. During this stage, termed movement by Lewin, attention was focused on client and nurse education and collection of urinary tract infection data. According to Lewin, the final stage is refreezing. In this stage, the focus was on addressing concerns and issues as these arose. In our experience, changing practice was a complex activity that required careful coordination and planning in order to ensure a successful outcome.