Best Practice Guidelines

RNAO has more than 50 BPGs covering nine categories: children and youth; clinical; equity, diversity and inclusion; foundational; health system; healthy work environment; mental health and substance use; older adults; and population health.

The BPGs are freely available and organized alphabetically below.

Publication date
2005
The RNAO Best Practice Guideline Stroke Assessment Across the Continuum of Care (2005, 2011) was retired in October 2020. Comprehensive and up-to-date evidence-based guidelines for the prevention and management of stroke are available. RNAO encourages users of this guideline to review the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada’s Canadian Stroke Best Practices: http://www....
March 2006

The purpose of this best practice guideline (BPG) is to assist nurses in promoting family health through interventions and supports provided during expected as well as unexpected life events. Expected life events may include birth, school, adolescence, aging, and death, while unexpected life events may include trauma/accidents, chronic illness, developmental delay and disability. 

April 2019

The purpose of this best practice guideline (BPG) is to provide nurses and the interprofessional team with evidence-based recommendations for the most effective strategies to support adults (18 years and older) who anticipate or live with an ostomy that will:

(a) promote self-management, 
(b) enhance access and delivery of care, and 
(c) lead to positive health outcomes. 

Publication date
2009
The RNAO Best Practice Guideline Supporting Clients on Methadone Maintenance Treatment (MMT; 2009) was retired in October 2020. RNAO encourages users of this guideline to review RNAO’s Best Practice Guidelines: Engaging Clients who Use Substances (2015) and Implementing Supervised Injection Services (SIS; 2018).  The related file (below) “Comparing MMT (2009) to Engaging Clients...
June 2023

The purpose of this best practice guideline (BPG) is to provide evidence-based recommendations for nurses and members of the interprofessional team, organizations and the health system. These recommendations support safe and effective transitions in care for pediatric and adult persons and their support network.

June 2021

The purpose of this best practice guideline (BPG) is to provide nurses (nurse practitioners, registered nurses, registered practical nurses and nursing students) and other members of the interprofessional team with evidence-based recommendations and resources related to the insertion, assessment and maintenance of vascular access devices (VADs) in the infant (0–1 year), pediatric (1–18 years) and adult populations (18 years and older). 

May 2012

The overall purpose of this guideline is to facilitate routine universal screening for woman abuse by nurses in all practice settings.

February 2014

The purpose of this best practice guideline (BPG) is to address the question of how health-care providers can partner with families to promote safe sleep for infants 0-12 months of age to reduce known risk factors for injury and death.