Most healthcare-associated infections are spread through direct contact, mainly through the hands of healthcare workers (Gould et al., 2010). Hand hygiene can prevent health care associated infection. The aim of hand hygiene through hand washing is to sufficiently reduce the microorganisms on the skin to prevent cross transmission. Hand hygiene, Infection prevention and control should be incorporated into every aspect of healthcare, this can be done using evidence based practise. Evidence based practise requires health professionals to apply the best available evidence to assist with their clinical decision making (Ilic, 2009)
Evidence based practise is defined as clinical practise based on the best, most recent research ((Richardson-Tench and Elliott, 2010). Evidence based practise is a process of translating knowledge generated by research into clinical practice. (Ilic, 2009) gives the five steps to evidence based practise,
1. converting clinical scenarios into structured answerable questions
2. Searching the literature to identify the best available evidence to answer to answer the question
3. Critically appraising the evidence for its validity and applicability, and
4. Applying the results of the appraisal into clinical practise
5. Evaluation/assessment of the evidence based practise.
Evidence based practice aims to provide the best possible evidence to the point of clinical contact ((Richardson-Tench and Elliott, 2010). Evidence based practise would be beneficial for
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.
There has been major controversy in defining the term evidence informed practice. The best definition which is globally accepted is the one invented by Sackett et al. (1996) He defined evidence informed practice as “the conscientious, explicit and judicious use of current best evidence in making decisions about care of the individual patient. It means integrating individual clinical expertise with the best available external clinical evidence from systematic research”. (Ellis 2003) To simplify, it means utilizing the best possible information which is proven to be useful in aiding the best possible care to patients.
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.”
Evidence based practice is the basis for needed change in practice and function. It is a sound method for scientific, fact-based change. Changes which have no evidence to support them are fragile, unscientific, and subjective. These changes don’t effect real change over time, as they aren’t able to be proven to a more general population.
Hospital acquired infections (HAIs) affect over 1.7 million patients each year, causing almost 100,000 deaths annually in the United States alone (Johnson, 2010). According to the World Health Organization, HAIs are the most frequent adverse event in the healthcare industry. Fortunately, most of these infections can be prevented with one single intervention, proper hand hygiene (“The Evidence,” n.d.). Four out of five pathogens that cause illness are spread by direct contact. Proper hand hygiene eliminates these pathogens and helps to prevent cross-contamination and HAIs (Linton, 2015; “Hand Hygiene,” n.d.). Reduction of cross-contamination and HAIs improves patient outcomes, increases employee wellness, and lowers health care costs. Adherence to proper hand hygiene is the single most important safety measure in the health care setting. However, for many years compliance to proper hand hygiene in the healthcare industry has been dismally low. New and inventive measures must be implemented to increase compliance to proper hand hygiene and lower the rate of hospital-acquired infections.
Define evidence based practice and discuss the possible facilitators and barriers for Sam to utilise the best research evidence in clinical practice.
Evidence-based practice is a formulation of ideas, research and conclusions to formulate the best possible health care choice (Hood, 2014). In health care the process of utilizing current information begins with a question can something be done better, can the patients benefit as a result and is it cost effective, EBP seeks new information to replace old or outdated information. When there are doubts if something can be done better a research team collects data on the subject using unbiased information they analyze the data, design interventions that are based on the new evidence and makes their final recommendations on their findings (Hood,
Evidence based practice and practice based evidence are a big part of a treatment process. These two can provide appropriate treatment that is needed to make advances in health care practices. Having enough evidence helps people determine whether to do something or not. To provide the best possible treatment for each patient you have to take information and see what will work best for each of your patients. Some will work and some will not work. Methodological issues can arise with in any type of research and some are more controversial than others. In the article “Practice Based Evidence: Back to the Future” (2011) the point of view was that research comes from evidence and that
The process of using Evidence Based Practice in a patients care plan consists of five key stages. Asses the patient and formulate the problems from this you will then need to access the relevant clinical articles. Using this information you should then be able to assess which is the best method of treatment discarding any misleading or ambiguous articles. You then need to incorporate this knowledge into the patients care plan. Finally you need to evaluate and assess the patient during treatment to ensure effectiveness.
Evidence-based practice is defined as the “integration of best current evidence with clinical expertise and patient or family preferences and values for the delivery of optimal health care” (Quality and Safety Education for Nurses, 2012). It is “the use of research in clinical decision making” (Brower, 2017).With the tremendous changes in the healthcare landscape, many processes have to be evaluated for its relevance, reliability,
There are numerous evidence-based practice interventions that have become standard nursing practices across the country. Hand hygiene is a nursing practice intervention that is currently evidence (research) based. It is one of, if not the most, important interventions practiced in providing standardized care. The rationale behind that statement refers to the high percentage of hospital acquired infections; hand hygiene practices are measures used for maximum effectiveness in reducing the spread of these infections. Compared to the various health care professionals who come in contact with patients when providing care, nurses are by far the largest faction that implements the highest quantity of direct patient care in health care. That said, of all the asepsis precautions, techniques, and interventions that are currently in place, hand hygiene is the single most effective intervention used by nurse to prevent themselves from infection and the cross-infection to their patients. Although this evidence-based intervention is of utmost importance to implement at all times, research shows the difficulty in influencing nurses and other health care professionals to practice hand hygiene as often as recommended.
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 is a systematic approach to rational decision making that facilitates achievement of best practices and can be used as a guide to help nurses make effective, timely, and appropriate clinical decisions in response to the broad political, professional, and societal forces that nurses and other health professionals are confronted with daily (Scott and McSherry, 2009).
Healthcare associated infections have an impact on patients - how? Can be prevented greatly with compliance to hand hygiene protocols (REF).
Evidence based practices are important to explore for various diseases so that their efficacy level can be determined and medical staff can be trained accordingly. Particularly speaking in the context of chronic diseases, evidence based practices are to be evaluated with the joint efforts of multiple healthcare institutions so that it can bring benefits to the overall healthcare industry.