Quality Research: The Importance Of Evidence Based Practice In Nursing

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.

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.

Evidence-based practice is an approach used by health care professionals to continually use current best evidence-based research to make ethical and reliable decisions regarding patient care. “Research to promote evidence-based practice is becoming more and more a part of the regular work of health care leaders” (Grand Canyon University, 2015, p. 1). However, it is important to determine the difference between solid research and flawed research that provides unreliable inferences. Evidence-based research includes focusing on a clinical question; and includes the review and incorporation of several studies to strengthen the results of the new study (Grand Canyon University, 2015). Roddy et al. and Ganz et al. articles will be assessed to determine if the recommended changes were backed by solid research that warrants changes in a hospital.

Evidence based practice, “involves integrating the best available research evidence with professional expertise while also taking account of patient preferences the patients state setting and circumstance and health care resources” (Gerrish, K. Lathlean, J, 2015). As the health care profession constantly changes, then it is vital that all evidence based practice is kept up to date with current information and research, relating to nursing practice. Always assuring that the patients need are taken into consideration (Sackett et al, 1996).

Findings of evidenced based practice have to be disseminated to ensure that innovations for practice are replicated or applied in other settings by stakeholders in the health fraternity and healthcare professionals (Forsyth, Wright, Scherb & Gaspar, 2010). One of the objectives of dissemination should be to improve the practice. Dissemination of evidenced based practice findings in nursing is very critical in knowledge synthesis, translation, and translation. It is imperative in strengthening healthcare, informing policy, and improving practice decisions based on clinical evidence (Rycroft-Malone & Bucknall, 2010). This is realized by transforming clinical changes into practice. It actually involves two stage processes namely: translation of evidence into practice and integration of research recommendations into actual practice. Effective dissemination of evidence based practice findings enable staff to share information about developments in healthcare practice and implement innovation (Freemantle & Watt, 1994).

Sterile technique is required for insertion of an indwelling urinary catheter in the hospital setting, but clean technique can be used for intermittent catheterization in non-acute settings. By itself, sterile technique on insertion doesn't prevent UTI’s. Prevention of UTI’s depends on knowledge of causes, proper care techniques, and early catheter removal. Nurses are taught early on in school that sterile technique helps to reduce infections. It was drilled in our heads the entire time and now to have the evidence tell us that early catheter removal, along with proper technique good hand hygiene is the key to reduce UTI’s.

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 is the incorporation of individual clinical expertise with best research evidence and patient values and expectations. Health care decision of individual patients should be based on best available research evidence. A health decision made from a sound research evidence has the potential to ensure best practice and reduce variations in health care delivery. In health science, an ever increasing plethora of studies being published and is challenging for clinicians to keep up with the literature. Integrating research into practice is time consuming and need methods for easy access to such evidences for busy clinicians. Indeed, clinical decision should be based on the latest research evidence. Systematic reviews and meta-analyses summarize the research evidence, which is generally the best form of evidence, thereby making the available evidence more accessible to decision makers and are positioned

According to Lewis, Dirksen, Heitkemper & Bucher (2014), “Evidence-based practice is a problem-solving approach to clinical decision making. It involves the use of the best available evidence in combination with clinical expertise and patient preferences and values to achieve desired patient outcomes.” Using evidence based practice in nursing is extremely important, because evidence-based practice is the result of others trying a practice one way but needing to change some of the guidelines to make the practice safer and over all better for patients.

Evidence based practice is an important priority in nursing because it ensures that the best quality and most effective care is being used. Restraint use is an intervention that is being minimized more and more. It can be an important intervention when necessary but there are specific circumstances and guidelines that must be followed. Evidence based practice is proving that restraint use may be eliminated due to safety concerns and more beneficial interventions being used.

Nurses use evidence base practice on a daily basis in order to offer care for their patients that takes into account not only the methods that will increase the likelihood for an optimal health outcome, but that also provides the treatment in accordance with the overall safety and well-being of the ones in their care. Nurses must be able to assess a situation at hand, have the knowledge of their previous work experiences, understanding of research studies, and use any applicable

How do researchers determine reliability in a study? Describe the major types of each. According to our text Understanding Nursing Research: Building an Evidence-Based Practice “reliability testing is a measure of the amount of random error in the measurement technique. It takes into account such characteristics as dependability, precision, stability, consistency, and reproducibility (Grove, Gray, & Burns, 2015, p. 288). It then goes on to describe the different types that, “focuses on the following three aspects of reliability- stability, equivalence and homogeneity” (Grove, Gray, & Burns, 2015, p. 289). The chart on page 289 goes into detail about each term, Test-retest reliability, Alternate forms reliability, Interrater reliability,

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.

Evidence-based practice (EBP) offers a framework utilization of systematic high-quality research, an analysis which consistently enhances measurable client outcome and clinical decision-making grounded in rationality; EBP depends on data collected through experimental research and accounts for individual client characteristics and clinician expertise. The potential benefits of EBP comprise of increased service delivery and quality of care, heightened accountability, and a bridging of the research-practice gap (Sackett, Straus, Richardson, Rosenberg, & Haynes, 2000). It is imperative that research scholars are cognizant of research outcome dependability and validity prior to implementing results