EBP: Shift Healthcare Practice Towards Research-Based Approach

Evidence-Base practice (EBP) is defined as: “based on problem identified from the practitioner’s area of practice; a combining of best evidence and professional expertise and an integration of this into current practice; about ensuring patients receive quality care, being part of quality improvement processes; about collaboration and requiring a team approach” (French, 1999). Scott and Mcsherry (2008) supported the French’s assertion, proposing the key elements of EBP are that it is a theory-driven process, which involves the use, evaluation and application of research; identification of best evidence; evaluation of care; problem solving; decision-making; clinical expertise; and requires patient involvement. Evidence-based practice is made of evidence, clinical expertise, patient preference, the context of care (Barker, 2013). In brief, evidence-based practice is the parameter in the nursing practice that it requires that the nurses gather and use clinical evidence to make decision for the patients so that in the nursing process they can deliver the quality of care for the patients (Ellis, 2013). In the other words, in the nursing practice all the nursing procedures performed by the clinical evidence supported.

Evidence based practice is an integral part of nursing care. According to the Academy of Medical-Surgical Nurses, evidence based practice is defined as, “the conscientious use of current best evidence in making decisions about patient care.” (AMSN) The use of evidence based practice has drastically improved patient outcomes, increased quality and safety of healthcare, and reduced costs for facilities. (Melnyk, 2016) In this paper I will provide the history of evidence based practice, how it has already been incorporated and impacted healthcare, and why it is important to nursing and healthcare as a whole.

According to Dr. David Sackett (1996) Evidence Based Practice (EBP) is “the conscientious, explicit and judicious use of current best evidence in making decisions about the care of the individual patient. It means integrating individual clinical expertise with the best available external clinical evidence from systematic research.”

Many individuals do not like the idea of change, but as health care professionals we know that change is a part of our profession. Evidence-based practice is present and the future of health care practice and needs to be fully supported by every health care team member. The gap between understanding EBP and applying it needs to be a thing of the

Researchers investigate the nurses’ clinical practices about utilization of EBP to direct their practices. But despite the enriched source of literature, nurses’ knowledge of Evidence Based Practice

Evidenced Based Practice (EBP) is essential to enable all nurses to provide the most current up to date practises for their patients. This process involves research, systematic review of current practises, critical thinking skills, evaluation and application to the clinical setting. In addition to this, the nurse must take into account the patients’ preferences. For nurses to have professional autonomy they must be able to justify their actions and demonstrate an understanding of why they perform the tasks they do. This defines them as unique professionals judged by their knowledge and not simply by their hands on skills.

Experience with EBP: Evidence-based practice plays a crucial role in the quality of patient care. When care is performed based upon evidence opposed to outdated textbooks, instinct, tradition, or colleagues influence (Beyea & Slattery, 2006). The average nurse is currently more than forty years of age, without the frequent education upon new topics, many nurses’ knowledge has become outdated. As new textbooks are not published yearly or often times not kept up to date within facilities, they do not serve as reliable sources of

The incorporation of evidenced-based practice (EBP) into nursing practice is supported by research to positively improve the quality of care and improve patient outcomes. EBP is important to the nursing profession because it also leads to increased job satisfaction, teamwork, and levels of engagement in clinicians (Melnyk, et al., 2017). Miniature research projects such as quality improvement projects, surveys, and clinical research studies are frameworks used to get feedback and data from patients during their time spent in health care systems. EBP is not the standard of care in many health care systems (Melnyk, et al., 2017). This due to many factors, including lack of EBP mentors, nursing programs that do not incorporate EBP into the curriculum,

Evidence - Based Nursing, An introduction (2008, p. 285 ) “ The rapidity of change and the reorganization of nursing services within the health care sector presents challenges for the advancement of EBP. Managers and administrators should facilitate the uptake of practice based on current, high-quality research by formalizing the expectation that nurses care be Evidence Based”.

According to Gale and Schaffer (2009) explains that nursing comprises autonomous and collaborative care of individuals of all ages, families, groups and communities, well or sick and in all settings. Nurses promote health, prevent illnesses and care for the sick and disabled people. Other roles of nurses include promotion of a safe environment, participation in shaping health policies, research and system management (Gale & Schaffer, 2009). Research is important in nursing because it validates and refines exiting knowledge and generates new knowledge. According to Newhouse (2007) nursing research helps build an evidence-based practice for nursing. EBP in turn contributes evidence to the effective care of patients. Studies have supported the conclusion that patient outcomes are substantially improved when health care is based on evidence from well-defined studies versus tradition or clinical expertise and opinions alone. The ultimate goal of nursing is therefore an evidence-based practice that promotes quality, cost effective outcomes for patients, families, healthcare providers and the healthcare system (Closson, 2005; Salbach, Jaglal, Korner-Bitensky, Rappolt & Davis, 2007). EBP evolves from the integration of the best research evidence with clinical expertise and patient needs and values (Aarons, Wells, Zagursky, Fettes & Palinkas,

Evidence based practice (EBP) is the utilisation of best available, contemporary research in the management of individual patient care (Sackett et al. 2000). Combined with the personal experience of the healthcare professional, EBP facilitates problem-solving that takes patient preferences and values into account (Melnyk and Fineout-Overholt 2005). The approach respects the patient as an individual and as a partner in the planning and receiving of care. EBP aims to reduce the use of ineffective healthcare interventions and encourage clinical decision-making that is based on modern credible evidence (Stevens 2013). Concisely, it aspires to achieve best outcomes for patients hence increasing the standard of care nurses provide to their

Evidence-Base practice (EBP) is defined as based on problems identified from nursing practice; using best evidence and professional expertise and merging them into current practice to ensure patients receive quality care (French, 1999). Evidence-based practice is a part of quality improvement process; it is made of evidence, clinical expertise, patient preference and the context of care (Barker, 2013). In brief, evidence-based practice is the guideline in the nursing practice that requires nurses gather and use clinical evidence to help diagnose or assess patients correctly by using their knowledge and experience in order they can deliver the quality of care to the patients (Ellis, 2013). In the other words, in the nursing practice the clinical evidence supports all the nursing procedures performed.

Evidence Based Practice (EBP) is a process that permits us to evaluate study, scientific strategies, and other evidence resources centered on high quality outcomes and put on the results to run-through [Academic of Medical-Surgical nurse (AMSN, 2014)].

EBP is “the conscientious, explicit and judicious use of current best evidence in making decisions about the care of the individual patient. It means integrating individual clinical expertise with the best available external clinical evidence from systematic research.” (Sackett D, 1996)

Evidence-based practice (EBP) in nursing means making decisions about patient care on the basis of best, current, standardized practice and guidelines. According to an article, written by Dr. Kathleen Stevens, the development of evidence-based practice (EBP) is fueled by the increasing public and professional demand for accountability in safety and quality improvement in health care (Stevens, 2013). The author also mentioned in her article that the intended effect of EBP is to standardize healthcare practices to science and best evidence and to reduce illogical variation in care,