Explore examples of evidence-based practice in nursing and see how nurses can advance their education to support evidence-based practice.
Nurses play a crucial role in patient care and outcomes. By embracing evidence-based practice, nurses can ensure they are providing the highest quality and most effective care possible. In this article, we explore what evidence-based nursing practice is, how it improves patient outcomes, and how it can reduce healthcare costs. We also look at how professional nursing organizations support evidence-based practice, share examples of evidence-based practice in nursing, and discuss how nurses can advance their education to support evidence-based practice.
Evidence-Based Nursing Practice (EBNP) is an approach that involves integrating individual clinical expertise with the most relevant and current research evidence available. This assists healthcare providers in making informed decisions about patient care. Research conducted in the nursing field helps bridge the knowledge gap and improve healthcare organizations and patient outcomes. EBNP is built on the foundation laid by Florence Nightingale, who pioneered the use of empirical data and research studies to improve patient care and outcomes in the 19th century.
Evidence-Based Practice (EBP) leads to positive patient outcomes by promoting informed decision-making processes among healthcare providers. As they incorporate the latest and most reliable research evidence with their clinical expertise and the unique circumstances of each patient, they can develop more effective care plans. High-quality patient care is driven by relevant research studies, which inform clinical practice and aid in detecting discrepancies in healthcare delivery, thus minimizing potential complications and enhancing overall patient satisfaction.
An answerable clinical question consists of four key components, commonly called the PICO framework. The acronym PICO stands for Patient or Population, Intervention, Comparison, and Outcome. These elements are essential for formulating a specific, clear, and answerable question that can be addressed using evidence-based research. By considering each aspect of the PICO framework, healthcare providers can pinpoint crucial knowledge gaps and assess an intervention’s effectiveness concerning a particular patient population and desired outcomes.
Evidence-Based Practice can potentially reduce healthcare costs by boosting healthcare providers’ efficiency and improving patient care quality. By integrating the latest research evidence and clinical expertise, professionals can identify cost-effective interventions and minimize unnecessary or redundant procedures. This leads to better utilization of resources and reduced expenditure for both healthcare organizations and patients. Furthermore, improving healthcare outcomes through EBP reduces the need for costly readmissions, prescription medications, and extended hospital stays, thus reducing the financial burden on healthcare systems.
Professional nursing organizations, such as the American Nurses Association (ANA) and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), play a vital role in promoting and supporting Evidence-Based Practice. These organizations provide guidance, resources, and opportunities for ongoing education, helping nurses and other healthcare providers enhance their clinical practice and deliver quality patient care. By offering access to reputable research studies and professional development programs, these organizations assist nurse leaders in implementing EBP throughout various healthcare settings.
The American Nurses Association (ANA) is committed to promoting Evidence-Based Practice for its members and the nursing profession as a whole. The ANA provides resources, tools, and educational opportunities for nurses, encouraging continuous professional growth and development. They also advocate for nursing research funding and support nurses in conducting and disseminating research studies. The ANA empowers nurses to incorporate the most relevant evidence into their practice, ensuring patients receive the best possible care.
The American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) plays a significant role in promoting quality patient care through its various certification programs, accreditation services, and the Magnet Recognition Program. By encouraging healthcare organizations to adopt EBP, the ANCC aids in improving various aspects of patient care, such as safety and satisfaction. Additionally, ANCC certification programs recognize and validate the expertise of individual nurse leaders in their respective specialties, ensuring they possess the necessary knowledge and skills to implement EBP.
Professional nursing organizations, such as the ANA and ANCC, offer numerous resources to support nurses in implementing Evidence-Based Practice. These include access to research databases, guidelines, and best practice recommendations. Furthermore, organizations like these provide educational webinars, conferences, and workshops on EBP, helping nurses stay up-to-date with the latest advancements in their field. For instance, the ANA’s Florence Nightingale Library offers diverse resources, including publications and e-books that cover various aspects of nursing practice, including EBP. Nurses can also find MSN programs specializing in EBP, such as the program developed by Darby Faubion, which is designed to train nurse leaders in implementing evidence-based practice in diverse healthcare settings.
Evidence-based practice (EBP) integrates clinical expertise, best research evidence, and patient values to optimize health outcomes. This approach supports the nursing profession in delivering quality patient care. There are several examples that showcase the value of EBP in nursing:
1. Hand hygiene: Research studies have consistently demonstrated the importance of handwashing in preventing hospital-acquired infections. Florence Nightingale was a pioneer in emphasizing cleanliness in patient care. Today, healthcare organizations follow guidelines from the American Nurses Association and other agencies to ensure that hand hygiene is a standard of practice.
2. Fall prevention: EBP guides the proper assessment of patients at risk for falls and the implementation of strategies to prevent these incidents. Healthcare providers use evidence-based tools like the Morse Fall Scale to assess patients and develop a comprehensive care plan.
3. Pressure ulcer prevention: Evidence-based guidelines help nurses understand the risk factors and implement interventions to prevent pressure ulcers. Examples include turning patients regularly, using pressure-relieving devices, and maintaining skin integrity through proper care.
4. Pain management: EBP supports nurses in identifying a patient’s pain and managing it effectively using a combination of pharmacological and non-pharmacological interventions, improving patient outcomes and overall experience.
The evidence-based practice contributes to positive patient outcomes by guiding nurses in delivering the best possible care. Some of the ways in which EBP can lead to improved patient outcomes are:
1. Enhanced decision-making: EBP promotes the use of research findings and other evidence in clinical practice, allowing nurses to make informed decisions when developing and implementing care plans.
2. Consistency in care: Healthcare providers who consistently apply evidence-based practices across the various aspects of patient care ensure that their patients receive uniform, high-quality care, reducing the knowledge gap between providers and improving overall outcomes.
3. Decreased variations in practice: The adoption of EBP across healthcare organizations can minimize variations in clinical practice, leading to similar standards of care and promoting positive patient outcomes throughout the United States.
4. Empowered nursing workforce: Nurses equipped with the knowledge, skills, and confidence to apply EBP are more likely to engage in effective clinical decision-making, translating into better patient care and outcomes.
EBP directly influences the quality of patient care delivered by nurses and other healthcare professionals. Implementing EBP in nursing practice results in:
1. Improved clinical effectiveness: EBP helps healthcare providers identify the most effective interventions and treatment strategies based on the latest research evidence, ensuring that patients receive the best possible care.
2. Reduced healthcare costs: Utilizing evidence-based interventions can decrease the use of unnecessary or ineffective treatments, lowering healthcare costs for both patients and healthcare organizations.
3. Improved patient satisfaction: Adherence to EBP principles leads to better patient outcomes and experiences, resulting in heightened patient satisfaction and a positive perception of the healthcare organization.
4. Greater professional accountability: Nurses who embrace EBP take responsibility for staying updated on current research and integrating evidence into practice, ensuring their actions align with best practices and fostering a culture of excellence.
To successfully integrate EBP into nursing, healthcare providers can adopt several strategies:
1. Develop a culture of curiosity and learning: Encourage continuous learning among nursing staff by fostering an environment that values inquiry, research, and evidence-based practices. Nursing is a rapidly evolving field, and the latest research and technology can impact patient outcomes significantly. As such, it is essential to cultivate a culture of curiosity and continuous learning among the nursing staff. Leaders in healthcare organizations can promote and encourage nursing staff to stay current on new treatments, procedures, and technology. This can be accomplished through regular training sessions, attending conferences, and offering mentorship programs. By ensuring that nurses have the latest knowledge and tools at their disposal, patients can receive better care. Also, fostering a continuous learning environment can help attract and retain top talent.
2. Collaborate with other healthcare professionals: Teamwork, especially with healthcare professionals in other disciplines, can help to expand knowledge, share insights, and promote the use of EBP throughout the organization. For example, a nurse may collaborate with a physical therapist to develop a care plan for a patient with mobility issues. The physical therapist can provide insights on exercises and techniques that can aid the patient’s mobility, while the nurse can contribute information on the patient’s overall health and specific needs. Furthermore, collaborating with other healthcare professionals can help to identify common challenges and barriers to EBP implementation, and together they can develop solutions to overcome these hurdles. This can lead to more effective and efficient patient care, ultimately improving outcomes and satisfaction for both patients and healthcare providers.
3. Access and use resources: A wide array of tools and resources exist to support evidence-based practice, such as online databases, journals, and reference materials. Encourage regular use of these resources to support informed clinical decision-making. It is important to ensure healthcare professionals have the knowledge and skills necessary to access and use these resources. Training sessions can be offered to teach staff how to effectively search for and critically evaluate evidence. In addition, it can be beneficial to establish a process for regular updates to these resources, ensuring the most current and relevant information is available. Providing support and resources for staff who may not have access to these materials outside of work can also ensure they have the tools necessary to provide the best care possible. By promoting the regular use and access to these resources, healthcare professionals can make informed clinical decisions based on the best available evidence.
4. Engage in reflection: Reflecting on individual and team practices can help identify areas for improvement and encourage the implementation of evidence-based approaches at all levels of patient care. Reflection plays a critical role in improving the quality of healthcare services. It creates a culture of self-awareness, which helps team members understand their roles, responsibilities, and strengths. Reflective practice enables individuals and teams to identify areas where they need to improve their skills and knowledge. It also encourages the implementation of evidence-based approaches that have been shown to be effective in patient care. Reflection can involve various activities, such as discussing challenging cases, analyzing outcomes of previous treatments, and reviewing feedback from patients. By engaging in reflection, healthcare professionals can continuously improve their practices and provide the highest quality care possible.
By obtaining advanced degrees and participating in professional development programs, nurses can acquire the knowledge and skills required to deliver evidence-based care. Several educational options exist for nurses looking to enhance their expertise in EBP.
Pursuing an online Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree is an excellent way for registered nurses to deepen their understanding of EBP. A BSN program typically focuses on enhancing clinical reasoning skills, research, and evidence-based practice, preparing nurses for the challenges of modern patient care. Online RN to BSN programs provide flexibility, allowing working professionals to balance their education with career and personal commitments.
Nurses can find Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) programs that emphasize evidence-based practice by conducting thorough research on graduate nursing programs. Pay particular attention to a program’s curriculum, faculty expertise, accreditation status, and any available specialties that align with your professional interests. Seek recommendations from colleagues, mentors, and nurse leaders such as Darby Faubion, a well-known nursing advocate.
Continuing education equips nurses with the latest knowledge and skills required to provide evidence-based care, promoting improved patient outcomes. By participating in workshops, conferences, and other professional development opportunities, nurses can stay informed on best practices, innovative research, and emerging trends in healthcare. Many healthcare organizations, including the American Nurses Credentialing Center, offer continuing education options tailored for nurses looking to maintain their licenses and advance their clinical practice to ultimately contribute to positive patient outcomes.
