In the 1960s, nursing became acknowledged as an applied science, and research efforts increased. Despite healthcare reform and an increase in access, healthcare leaders started to express concern about the growing gap between the ideal healthcare environment and what patients were actually experiencing despite the accumulation of research that may have increased knowledge levels. Additionally, they were concerned that the growing body of scientific knowledge and research was not being effectively transferred and applied to clinical patient care, failing to achieve the objective of improved and reliable results.
The Institute of Medicine (IOM), which became the National Academy of Medicine (NAM) in response, published Crossing the Quality Chasm: A New Health System for the 21st Century. This report cited earlier studies showing the current system was harming people in a way that could have been avoided. It also reaffirmed the need for consistency throughout the healthcare system to guarantee that all patients received the best care possible regardless of where they sought treatment. It was predicted that a total overhaul would be required to achieve that goal and that small adjustments would not be sufficient. One of the recommendations was to implement EBP.
Evidence-based practice also benefits nursing by keeping practices current and relevant, increasing nurses’ confidence and decision-making skills, and contributing to the science of the profession.
How nurses use evidence-based practices
The following five steps can help nurses decide how to give a patient the best care possible:
1. Identify the problem
The first step is to identify a problem to solve. In order to accomplish this, nurses interview patients about their medical histories and take vital signs like blood pressure and heart rate. This entails inquiring about the patient’s symptoms, worries, and way of life. They create a research question after gathering data on the patient’s feelings. For instance, the nurse would inquire about the internal causes of back pain if the patient had back pain and normal vital signs.
2. Gather evidence
Nurses can gather evidence based on a patient’s symptoms to determine the most likely cause and possible treatments by using resources like medical research studies, the hospital database, and their colleagues. Nurses use their initial inquiries as topics for research and evidence collection. By checking each potential diagnosis and comparing it to the patient’s medical history, the nurse investigating internal causes of back pain can rule out potential causes.
Research should be organized so that later fact analysis is simple. Professionals frequently record their initial thoughts and observations while conducting research in the form of personal notes.
3. Analyze the evidence
It’s crucial to reevaluate and take into account what is most helpful after gathering information relevant to the patient’s case. Considering all the information, some nursing interventions might not be necessary. For instance, if a condition inside the body that causes back pain typically only manifests as back pain and an accelerated heart rate, a patient with normal vital signs is probably not suffering from that condition. A nurse must assess the reliability of their sources as part of the analysis of the data.
4. Apply findings to clinical practice
Nursing evidence-based practice mandates that nurses use their own clinical expertise to decide how to proceed with a particular patient. They consult the doctor about their research and ideas, and they adhere to any prescribed treatments. During a patient’s stay in the hospital, nurses provide care to them by performing nursing interventions such as giving medication, monitoring vital signs, and helping with mobility.
5. Assess the result
It is useful to evaluate the information-gathering process and the outcome of integrating research with clinical practice in evidence-based practice. This enhances research techniques and gives nurses more casework experience to draw from in the future. In the event of a misdiagnosis or if the patient’s condition worsens, it is crucial to evaluate the findings because nurses can use this information to modify the treatment plan based on their prior interactions with the patient and their research.
What is evidence-based practice in nursing?
An approach to patient care known as evidence-based practice in nursing uses problem-solving, research, and clinical expertise to plan treatment. Because it involves patients and requires nurses to take into account each patient’s preferences, evidence-based practice is distinctive. Using this method, nurses and other medical professionals develop patient-specific care plans.
What are the benefits of evidence-based practice in nursing?
In the end, evidence-based nursing practice enhances patient care and increases the likelihood that patients will make a full recovery. Additional ways that an evidence-based approach can help nurses and patients are listed below:
1. Stays up to date with medical protocol
Research that can teach nurses more about medical protocols for various situations is necessary for evidence-based practice. As technology develops and researchers study diseases and treatments more, new medical discoveries are made, so it’s critical for medical professionals to stay informed and keep up with advancements. One of a nurse’s primary duties is to keep abreast of medical protocol.
2. Improves the decision-making process
The evidence-based practice approach requires nurses to gather information and analyze it to determine the best course of action. Thorough research aids nurses in making well-informed decisions. This boosts nursing’s confidence and benefits the patients, who get better treatment plans thanks to this method. A professional nurse’s career often depends on having strong research skills, which are transferable if they want to advance their careers.
3. Increases patient recovery
Evidence-based practice aids nurses in discovering efficient treatment methods by fusing research with clinical experience and knowledge. For instance, nurses can look up a patient’s symptoms to find the best treatments for their condition. Finding treatments that work increases patient recovery, enables patients to receive a diagnosis, and hastens the healing process.
4. Understands risks of treatments
Researching a patient’s symptoms and prior cases of their condition can reveal potential outcomes and help medical professionals treat a patient preventatively. Research on a drug that a doctor prescribes for a condition, for instance, may inform you of potential side effects in patients. You can use this information to help you find an alternative for your patient if a particular medication or treatment has a side effect that would negatively impact a patient who is at risk, such as a patient of a certain age.
5. Gives patients a role in planning their care
Evidence-based practices include patients in the treatment planning. Patients are given options by nurses, who then let them choose what’s best for their health. Giving patients a say in their care can give them independence and increase their confidence in the treatment they receive. Additionally, it enables patients to speak up for themselves when confronted with sensitive personal matters that a professional may not initially be aware of
Tips for implementing evidence-based practices
Follow these tips to help implement evidence-based practices in nursing:
Identify and organize resources for research
The nursing team may find it beneficial to have access to books and an online database for research purposes. As a result, less time is spent checking sources and looking for sources to gather evidence from. Another great resource for nurses is to encourage senior nursing staff to serve as mentors and impart their knowledge and skills to their subordinates.
Establish goals that focus on the patient
The patient is the center of all nursing practices. Setting patient-centered goals facilitates the provision of individualized care and aids in the achievement of accurate diagnoses and treatments. In evidence-based practice, nurses develop patient-centered objectives by conducting case-by-case research. Patients can feel more invested in their own care as a result.
Provide education and training
Some hospitals and medical facilities offer education programs and training activities to staff members in order to expose them to various types of treatments, patient conditions, and roles on the medical team. Additionally, this promotes teamwork among all medical professionals, aiding evidence-based practice by giving nurses access to additional resources in the form of experts.
What is Evidence-Based Practice?
FAQ
What are the advantages of evidence-based practice?
EBP enables nurses to assess research in order to comprehend the dangers or efficacy of a diagnostic procedure or treatment. Nurses can include patients in their care plan thanks to the use of EBP.
What are the advantages of evidence-based practices in nursing and how will it benefit the patient?
A nurse’s education and clinical experiences that incorporate EBP result in the development of more sophisticated critical thinking and decision-making abilities. Nurses perform better in interdisciplinary teams, use informatics, and adapt to changing circumstances. Additionally, they experience more pride and confidence in their work.
What is the main advantage of evidence-based assessment?
The ability to evolve and individualize patient care, lower patient care costs, and increase the expertise of the medical provider are all benefits of evidence-based practice.
