Evidence Based Practice

Evidence-Based Practice

Evidence-based practice is acting in a way with an understanding that research and evidence indicates it is the best way to act and practice because it has indicated improved patient outcomes. Evidence-based practice has been shown to have better patient outcomes compared to practice that is not evidence based. In my clinical experience, I use evidence-based practice frequently. An example in my professional practice is hourly intentional rounding. Evidence-based practice indicates that hourly intentional rounding reduces the number of patient falls and increases patient satisfaction. These are two positive outcomes for the patient. By maintaining evidence-based practice and rounding at least every hour on all patients, I am practicing in a way that provides the best patient outcomes.

In Professional Roles and Values, I learned that the nurse sometimes has other roles that he or she takes such as the role of scientist, role of a detective, and role of a manager of a healing environment. Learning about these different roles allowed me to expand my definition of evidence based practice because I realized that you could apply evidence based practice not just to the traditional nursing roles but to other roles as well such as scientist, detective, and manager of healing environment. So now my definition of evidence based practice can be applied to any clinical action that I may take. I always follow what the research shows has the best outcomes based on evidence, no matter what role I am in.

An artifact in my portfolio that supports my definition is my task 1 assignment in the Evidence Based Practice course. This assignment let me see firsthand how Evidence Based Practice is researched, established, and implemented. I could see the steps taken to find the best practice and the research that goes into it to study it. The assignment verified to me that better patient outcomes results from the hours of research and studies performed. I read about many studies on bedside shift report and saw the results of the studies showed an improvement in patient outcomes. Because the results were statistically significant, I could conclude that evidence based practice causes good changes and improves practice for nurses and other members of the health care team. This supports my developed definition of evidence based practice.

Reflecting on my understanding of evidence based practice and applied nursing research, I can see how much that the course taught me. This has helped me apply evidence based practice to my nursing practice. I am better able to interpret when data is relevant and authentic. I can look at primary research and filter out information that is not relevant or important. I am also able to find indicators that the research is not significant or believable. Utilizing these skills from the course, I am now better able to evaluate current primary research and be better able to apply it to my clinical nursing practice. I am also now able to better distinguish between quality improvement and research studies. It is important to be able to make a clear distinction between the two and to also understand that each has an optimal place and use as well. After the course, I can see that quality improvement is to improve a specific process or system and is focused on ways to make things better and improved from previous ways. It is a fast way to rectify and/or change action using experience and assessment. On the other hand, research is more systematic and tries to answer a specific question. Answering the question provides valuable knowledge which can be implemented and acted upon as needed. Research provides a conclusion based on evidence. An example of quality improvement could be a hospital finding a way to improve the time it takes for a patient to reach surgery if they have a stroke. The hospital would find ways to cut down the time and make it faster. This improves the quality of care. An example of research would be to ask a question and perform a study that can provide evidence to answer the question and reach a conclusion. Does bedside shift report improve patient outcomes? Research can be done, studies performed, and evidence collected and analyzed. The question can be answered and a conclusion reached.

I was also able to learn the differences between primary and secondary research. When the authors did the research, then it is considered primary research. In clinical practice, it is best used when there is a new idea and the idea needs to be proven by asking a question and doing research and studies. On the other hand, secondary research is based on research done by someone else. In clinical practice, secondary research can be used to establish a common practice in a new setting.

My experience in the program helped me achieve excellence in evidence based practice because I can now critically analyze research and information that I come across. I can evaluate and see if it is relevant, authentic, and important. Before the program, I would not consciously think when I saw new information. I just blindly accepted what I read. After the program, I am able to look at things differently. I see that evidence must be scrutinized because it has major implications. Especially in a field where human lives are at stake, it is of the utmost priority to be able to look at information objectively and carefully and make sure you understand what you are reading and the implications of what you are reading. My experience in the program also showed me that evidence based practice can help change lives and improve patient outcomes significantly. I am now always on the lookout for ways to improve my practice and looking for evidence based practice is at the forefront of my thoughts when in this mindset. The program has proven to me the importance that evidence based practice has.