Research confirms that patient outcomes improve when nurses practice in an evidence-based manner (Black et al., 2015). Evidence-based practice (EBP) is a conscientious, problem-solving approach to clinical practice that incorporates the best evidence from well-designed studies, patient values and preferences, and clinician's expertise in making decisions about a patient's care (Evidence-based practice, n.d). It has been described as “a problem-solving approach to clinical care that incorporates the conscientious use of current best practice from well-designed studies, a clinician’s expertise, and patient values and preferences," and has been shown to increase patient safety, improve clinical outcomes, reduce healthcare costs, and decrease variation in patient outcomes (Black, et al., 2015).
According to the American Nurses Association (ANA), nursing interventions should be practical, methodical decisions based on EBP research studies. EBP provides the highest quality and most cost-efficient patient care possible (Chrisman et. al., 2014).
EBP is often triggered by patient interactions which generate a question or question about the effectiveness of a treatment or therapy, the use of diagnostic tests, the disease prognosis and/or etiology (cause) of disorders.
References
Black, A. T., Balneaves, L. G., Garossino, C., Puyat, J. H., & Qian, H. (2015). Promoting evidence-based practice through a research training program for point-of-care clinicians. The Journal of Nursing Administration, 45(1), 14–20. https://doi.org/10.1097/NNA.0000000000000151
Chrisman, J., Jordan, R., Davis, C., & Williams, W. (2014). Exploring evidence-based practice research. Nursing Made Incredibly Easy, 12(4), 8–12 https://doi.org/10.1097/01.NME.0000450295.93626.e7
Evidence-based practice (n.d.). Nurse.com. https://www.nurse.com/evidence-based-practice.