Aim: To investigate attitudes towards, utilization of and factors for evidence-based practice for nurse anesthetists.

Design: The study had a descriptive, cross-sectional web-based survey design.

Methods: This study, conducted in September and October 2020, involved nurse anesthetists (n = 278) employed within 12 operation theatre departments in southern Sweden. Data was collected by self-administered, web-based questionnaire including a modified version of the instrument “Nurses’ attitudes towards research and development within nursing” (ATRAD-N, version II) with complementary questions. Descriptive statistics and manifest deductive content analysis were used to analyze data.

Results: The response rate was 50.4 % (n =140). Nurse anesthetists’ levels of attitudes towards Evidence-based practice were positive. Mainly used sources for information-seeking were asking colleagues, search the internet and clinical guidelines. The extent of involvement in research and improvement activities was low. Higher educational levels were associated with higher positive attitudes and higher positive attitudes were associated with more frequent practice. The greatest barriers were based on organizational factors such as lack of time, hierarchical structures or lack of support from leaders.  

Conclusion: The findings clarify the value of continuous education for staff, and the importance of shifting negative culture to support nurse anesthetists in improving their ability and opportunity towards an increased use and integration of evidence-based knowledge into practice.  

Impact: To ensure growth within anesthesia nursing care, nurse anesthetists are expected to work in adherence with evidence-based practice by for example participating in research and improvement work. The main finding in the present study was that nurse anesthetists are obstructed from work accordingly evidence-based practice by barriers within the organizations. These findings are useful for administrators and Head nurses within perioperative care thus it can be used as facilitator for increased adherence to evidence-based practice among nurse anesthetists.