Evidence base practice

Evidence Based Practice: “

Evidence based practice (EBP) is not a new idea that nurses need to engage in research and integrate research findings in to practice. EBP is gaining a lot of importance in the practice professions especially in the present day health care delivery system for various reasons such as cost effective care, proper utilization of resources, to ensure high quality of nursing practice. Though the concept has acceptance, the actual merger of research and practice has yet to become widespread. Nursing practice is based on values, theories and evidence. Although evidence is an important element in decision making in nursing, decisions are also influenced by values, client choice, clinical judgment, experimental knowledge, ethics, legislation, as well as pressures and working conditions within the organizations and work environment.

Evidence is the information based on historical, or scientific evaluation of a practice that is accessible to a practitioner for decision-making. Types of evidence could be experimental (randomized clinical trials, meta analysis, analytical studies)-non experimental (quazi experimental, observational ) or expert opinion or historical etc. EBNP can be defined as a conscious, explicit and judicious use of theory – derived / research based information in making decisions about quality care delivery. Aspects of quality that are considered when evaluating care include safety, competence, acceptability, effectiveness, efficiency and accessibility.

Who should be responsible for Evidence based Practice?

Individual nurses:
? Primary responsibility for evaluating and promoting evidence in the context of their practice.
? Utilize the evidence to ensure that nursing practice maximizes health and quality of life from the client’s perspective.

Professional & Regulatory associations:
? Encourage and support evidence based practice.

Nursing educators & Educational institutions:
? Assist nurses in developing skills and abilities to assess, interpret and incorporate evidence into their practice on a continuing basis.
? Ensure that researchers communicate their findings in language that is familiar to practitioners.
? Ensure that nursing curricula are evidence based.

Organizations that employ Nurses:
? Provision of an environment supportive of evidence-based practice.
? Provision of tools necessary to implement evidence into practice.
? Provision of continuing education to assist nurses in developing skills and abilities to assess and incorporate evidence into practice.

Accreditation councils & Governments: