Question

What has been your experience with participating in the evidence-based practice/research initiatives in your agency or practice?

How is EBP operationalized in your practice?

Who (e.g., manager, resource nurse) is responsible for identifying the problem, collecting and evaluating the research articles relevant to the problem, rating the evidence, and implementing change?

What are the barriers and facilitators to this process in your agency?

Give an example of an EBP project that you have participated in or observed in your practice. Was it successful? Why or why not?

What role could you take as a nurse practitioner in this process?

Answer 1

One of the key principles in medicine today is evidence-based practice in nursing (EBP). This is the practice of medicine based on solid research, and it adheres to standards for high quality and safety, all while focusing on patients’ needs.

Examples of EBP in Nursing

There are many examples of EBP in the daily practice of nursing.

1. Infection Control

2. Oxygen Use in Patients with COPD

3. Measuring Blood Pressure Noninvasively in Children

4. Intravenous Catheter Size and Blood Administration

Because new research and evidence become available on an ongoing basis, EBP must adapt to the latest evidence. Often, old practices may need to change if new research overturns the principles behind them.

Evidence-based practice in nursing has advanced a great deal in recent years, and it will continue to do so

Infection Control

The last thing a patient wants when going to a hospital for treatment is a hospital-acquired infection. Nurses play a key role in helping to prevent illness before it happens by adhering to evidence-based infection-control policies. This includes keeping the healthcare environment clean, wearing personal protective clothing, using barrier precautions and practicing correct handwashing. Although nurses are busy with many responsibilities, the time it takes to control infection is well worth the effort.

Nursing has a rich history of using research in practice, pioneered by Florence Nightingale. Evidence-based practice (EBP) is the conscientious and judicious use of current best evidence in conjunction with clinical expertise and patient values to guide health care decisions.