Implementing EBP

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.

I believe the most important aspect to successful implement evidence-based practice is a common understanding and stress of the importance of EBP among health care professionals. Everyone need to be on the same page and understand that practice methods that are not backed by evidence are no longer acceptable. I believe the facility needs to have a mandatory meeting with all the health care professionals and discuss how EBP will be implemented into their facility. I also believe that there should be repercussions if EBP is not put into place.

Evidence-based practice is the practice of making clinical decisions based off the best available research evidence coupled with the nurse’s own expertise, while also taking into account, the patient’s assessments and own personal preferences. This use of research has proven effective at providing better outcomes and lower healthcare costs, yet there are several barriers, such as time, education, and support, which prevent nurses from consistently using evidence-based practice (AJN, 2012). The top three barriers to the use of evidence-based practice are lack of time, education, and support in implementing new practices and using them consistently.

EBP is important because it focuses on providing the most effective care available, with the aim of improving patient’s outcome. EBP promotes an attitude of inquiry in health professionals and starts us thinking about: Why am I doing this in this way?. Its provides a greater provider job satisfaction.

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

Professionalism in nursing has advanced greatly over the years. A cornerstone for change includes that of evidence based practice (EBP) as the drive of nursing intervention and patient care. According to the Quality and Safety Education for Nurses (QSEN), Evidence-based practice is described as the combination of the most recent evidence with clinical knowledge that includes the patient’s best interests in mind for greater patient outcomes (QSEN, 2017). The QSEN’s goal is to prepare nurses for improvement in quality and safety of patients (2017). Because of this goal, six competencies, including evidence-based practice, are listed for criteria of improvement in nursing practice (2017). I have been fortunate to have experience with implementing this practice and providing education in certain EBP protocols in my career. One EBP protocol in particular that our unit has been involved in since May of this year includes Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) now referred to as Improving Surgical Care and Recovery (ISCR).

Interventions that are effective with one patient may not always be as effective with different patients with different acuities. EBP uses the findings from clinical research studies and quality improvement studies to support or change existing practices (Arndt & Netsch, 2012). Nursing EBP will continue to grow as access to resources such as online journals, books, and internet access becomes more readily available to people. Nurses gain critical thinking skills and learn new strategies that are supported by evidence that they can apply in clinical

Evidence based Practice allows for there to be a relationship between the care of patients and the best practices available. In order to achieve this relationship EBP combines a few key components in the clinical setting to enhance decision making to provide the best care possible. These key components are:

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”.

Evidence can also be used as a basis for care of individuals. Patient ends are usually very complex and clinicians sometimes wonder if evidence can ever be applied to an individual patient. There is so much uncertainty in the healthcare process and evidence helps quantify that uncertainty. Evidence is not meant to be rigid but rather it is integrated with clinical experience and the patient’s unique values to arrive at optimal outcomes. Evidence in clinical practice is not limited solely to patient care. Healthcare professionals might be interested in evidence because it relates to team functioning, models for utilizing research, way of communicating change and even the effects of insurance on healthcare usage. It may seem obvious that implementing EBP as the basis of clinical decision-making is the optimal way to deliver clinical care. Implementing EBP without allocation of resources may be possible in the short run but sustainability of EBP needs ongoing commitment of staff, rime and support. It is imperative that top leadership actively support a shift to EBP and provide the resources to do so

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.

Nurses are cheered to integrate and apply EBP as part of their daily practice. EBP is “knowing that what we do is the best practice” (AMSN, 2014). EBP is very important in health care system and can dramatically change quality care and clinical outcomes. According from the Iowa/Titler Model from AMSN (2014), the EBP process have five steps:

Evidence-based practice will be extremely helpful among the hospital setting because it will allow for me to learn from reliable resources. Using evidence-based practice thus far has helped for me to learn about different cultures and become more prepared when meeting with patients. I will continue to work within the hospital setting and need to be sensitive of how different cultures feel about the medical system as well as treatment options. At times, I have found myself wondering why my patient does not want to go a certain treatment route and many times I can use evidence-based practice to get a better understanding. Many times evidence-based practice has allowed for me to share articles with coworkers and have dependable evidence to fall back on when advocating for my patient within team meetings.

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,