How is evidence based practice (EBP) used in nursing and how does the EBP influence Quality Improvement? Please address the question. Write the rationale for the answer. List examples from your own nursing practice. Write a 150-250 word response in APA format. Use minimum of 2 references within the last 3-5 years.
Evidence-based practice (EBP) plays a vital role in nursing by promoting the integration of the best available evidence with clinical expertise and patient values to guide decision-making and improve quality of care. This approach enables nurses to critically appraise and apply research findings to their practice, ensuring that interventions and strategies are based on solid evidence rather than tradition or personal beliefs. By using a systematic and evidence-based approach, nurses can enhance the effectiveness, efficiency, and safety of healthcare delivery.
EBP has a significant influence on quality improvement in nursing. By utilizing evidence to inform decision-making, nurses are able to identify and implement interventions that have been proven to be effective in improving patient outcomes. This leads to more standardized and consistent care, reducing practice variations and promoting a higher level of quality and safety.
One example of how EBP influences quality improvement can be seen in the administration of medications. By utilizing evidence-based guidelines and protocols, nurses can ensure that medications are administered in the safest and most effective manner. For instance, studies have shown that the use of barcode scanning technology can significantly reduce medication administration errors (Poon et al., 2010). By incorporating this evidence into practice, nurses can improve medication safety and overall quality of care.
In my own nursing practice, EBP has played a pivotal role in quality improvement. For instance, in the care of pressure ulcers, evidence has shown that the use of specialized support surfaces can help prevent and heal these wounds (National Pressure Ulcer Advisory Panel, European Pressure Ulcer Advisory Panel, & Pan Pacific Pressure Injury Alliance, 2019). By utilizing this evidence, I have been able to advocate for the implementation of specialized support surfaces in the care of patients at risk for pressure ulcers, leading to a decrease in the incidence and severity of these wounds.
Another example from my own practice is the implementation of evidence-based falls prevention strategies. Evidence has shown that multifactorial interventions, such as bed alarms, regular mobility assessments, and safety education, can significantly reduce the risk of falls in the hospital setting (Oliver et al., 2010). By incorporating these strategies into practice, I have seen a decrease in falls among my patients, resulting in an improvement in the overall quality and safety of care.
In summary, evidence-based practice is crucial in nursing as it guides decision-making and improves the quality of care. By integrating the best available evidence with clinical expertise and patient values, nurses can ensure that their interventions and strategies are based on solid evidence. This approach plays a significant role in quality improvement by reducing practice variations and promoting standardized, effective, and safe care. Through the use of evidence-based guidelines and protocols, nurses can enhance medication safety, prevent pressure ulcers, reduce the risk of falls, and ultimately improve patient outcomes. As a nurse, I have personally witnessed the positive impact of EBP on the quality of care and will continue to utilize this approach to provide the best possible care for my patients.
References
National Pressure Ulcer Advisory Panel, European Pressure Ulcer Advisory Panel, & Pan Pacific Pressure Injury Alliance. (2019). Prevention and Treatment of Pressure Ulcers: Clinical Practice Guideline. Emily Haesler, ed. Cambridge Media: Osborne Park, Western Australia.
Oliver, D., Hopper, A., Seed, P., & Foreman, D. (2010). Do hospital fall prevention programs work? A systematic review. Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, 58(9), 1679-1685.
Poon, E. G., Keohane, C. A., Yoon, C. S., Ditmore, M., Bane, A., Levtzion-Korach, O., … & Kachalia, A. B. (2010). Effect of bar-code technology on the safety of medication administration. New England Journal of Medicine, 362(18), 1698-1707.