Evidence-based practice

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4-Evidence based practice research has changed the field of nursing in many ways. It is one of the key principles in medicine today adhering to standards for high quality and safety, all while focusing on patients’ needs. Old practices may not work and need to change, evidence-based practice provides the latest research in improving these practices.

In emergency nursing, evidence-based practice is used daily. One very common practice is infection control. “This includes keeping the healthcare environment clean, wearing personal protective clothing, using barrier precautions and practicing correct handwashing” (Arkansas State University, 2016). Even though the emergency is very fast paced, nurses in my facility are very aware of infection control and make efforts to improve their infection control practices daily. Another evidence-based practice used frequently in the ED, is oxygen use in patients with COPD. “Despite the belief by some that providing oxygen to these patients can create serious issues such as hypercarbia, acidosis or even death, the evidence-based protocol is to provide oxygen to COPD patients. This practice can help prevent hypoxia and organ failure. Giving oxygen, which is the correct treatment based on the evidence, can enhance COPD patients’ quality of life and help them live longer” (Arkansas State University, 2016). It is very important that nurses know that giving to much oxygen can increase their respiratory drive, causing more distress, but some oxygen is key to helping improve the patients’ status.

Reference:

Arkansas State University (2016, December 20). 4 Examples of Evidence-Based Practice in

Nursing. Retrieved from https://degree.astate.edu/articles/nursing/examples-of-evidence-based-practice-in-nursing.aspx

5-Evidence-based practice is something that is embedded into our minds. During my first quarter of nursing school we were required to write down interventions for all nursing diagnoses and were required to cite evidence as to why we do the nursing interventions that we do. As nurses it is important to know the WHY as to why we do what we do. Evidence-based practice changes everyday because science and studies are frequently changing.

As nurses, we practice numerous nursing interventions daily. For bedridden patients who cannot move on their own, we are required to turn them at least every 2 hours because research shows that by turning these patients, the chances of developing bed sores are greatly decreased. We had a patient on our unit for about 6 months who was not able to move on his own and he did not develop a single bed sore because frequent turning was practiced. Other common evidence-based practice interventions include scrubbing the IV and central line hubs with alcohol for 10-15 seconds to prevent CLABSI. Washing your hands with soap and water before and after entering a patient’s room is the number one method of preventing the transmission of disease. We practice evidence-based interventions numerous times a day and we probably do not even realize that we are doing it because it becomes second nature to us such as something as simple as raising the head of the bed, picking out the correct blood pressure cuff, or grabbing some ice to apply to our patient’s knee, etc.

Arkansas State University states that nurses have room for improvement when it comes to EBP. They state the follo wing are some areas where nurses could better adhere to EBP:

  • Communication      involving changes in a patient’s status.
  • Soft      skills that improve patient interaction.
  • Training      and onboarding new nurses.
  • Shift      scheduling and the effect on care.

References:

Arkansas States University. 2018. Evidence-Based Practice in Nursing. Retrieved from https://degree.astate.edu/articles/nursing/examples-of-evidence-based-practice-in-nursing.aspx

6-From the perspective of a nurse, research or
evidence based practices are of vital importance when it comes to determining
the best course of action to take with clients, and determining which route to
take with an intervention plan. For instance, when examining an individual’s
symptoms or ailment, using evidence based practices can show the best steps to
take in order to provide the patient with the most in depth and intensive
treatment options which can be afforded to them (Melnyk & Fineout-Overholt,
2011).

           When
treating a patient with a number of symptoms which do not have an immediately
known cause, using evidence based practices can assist in determining which
specific ailment the patient is suffering from. By using research that
highlights similar symptoms the specific condition can be examined in more
detail which could lead to new treatment methods being devised (Koehn &
Lehman, 2008).

           The
benefits of evidence based practice are not limited only to the treatment of
patients, but can also be utilized in how to properly communicate and interact
with patients, and can prove vital in establishing connections with them as
well (Melnyk & Fineout-Overholt, 2011). For instance, when handling a
patient who is being difficult in their treatment methods, using the best
evidence based practices can give insight into ways to interact with the client
that can lead to more positive breakthroughs in their recovery (Koehn &
Lehman, 2008).

           Overall,
evidence and research based practices give nurses the ability to utilize a wide
range of resources to determine which course of action is the correct step to
take in ensuring that their patients receive the best cares possible (Koehn
& Lehman, 2008).

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References

Koehn, M. L., & Lehman, K. (2008). Nurses’ perceptions
of evidence-based nursing practice. Journal of Advanced Nursing, 62(2).
Retrieved from
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/j.1365-2648.2007.04589.x

Melnyk, B. M., & Fineout-Overholt, E. (2011). Evidence-based
practice in nursing &        healthcare:
A guide to best practice. Philadelphia: Wolters Kluwer/Lippincott Williams             & Wilkins.

 
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