Question

Describe the steps of the evidence-based research process and the importance of using them. In the initial stages of an EBP project, where do nurses in your specialty go to locate sources of information that help them to determine whether or not a practice problem is appropriate for an evidence-based practice change proposal. Include two specific sources on information in your discussion.

Answer 1

6 Steps of the Evidence-Based Practice Process

1. Ask a Clinical Guiding Question: Organized in a format:

• P – patient, population or problem of interest
• I– intervention or prognostic factor being considered;
• C-comparison or intervention;
• O– outcome measured;
• T – time period.

2.Search for the Best Evidence: Select the information databases or resources most likely to answer the type of question being asked; combine multiple search terms and Boolean connectors.

3.Critically Appraise the Evidence: Determine a study’s reliability, validity, and applicability to the client in question. Assess and evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of the evidence.

4.Integrate the Evidence with One’s Clinical Expertise and client preference to make the best clinical decision. Before integration, other considerations beyond applicability must be considered, such as biologic, socioeconomic, and epidemiologic issues.

5.Evaluate the Outcomes of the EBP Practice Decision…

or change based on evident of the EBP decision. Was the expected outcome achieved? If not, why not? Was it due to non-adherence to treatment plan, different client prognostic factors, and/or providers not ready for the practice change? Was it because of skills, evidence interpretation, or in implementing the intervention?

6.Disseminate the Outcome: Disseminate evidence to colleagues within your organization, and beyond. Outcome dissemination can be done through intra- and inter-departmental in-services, journal clubs, online media, lectures, conferences, posters, and manuscripts.

The Source of Information that help them to Determine whether or Not a Practice- problem is appropriate is-

• Health Surveys and polls.
• Clinical trials or product evaluations
• Data collection for generation of institutional, regional, or national databases that capture descriptive data, such as the following:
  • The number of visits required for preoperative and postoperative management of the new patient.
  • The number of visits/cost of supplies necessary to ensure in home care patients.
  • Quality outcomes when managing behavioral interventions.
• Poster presentations (eg, case studies, practice innovation, research).