Evidence-Based Practice in Nursing Practice

Evidence-Based Practice in Nursing Practice

Evidence-based practice (EBP) is an integral part of nursing practice. It is a problem-solving approach to care delivery based on proven scientific evidence. The EBP process involves the application of scientifically proved evidence into healthcare practice. Hassan’s (2019) study observed that integrating EBP practice provides a significance of scientific research applied to support delivery of healthcare services for better patient outcome. Melnyk and Fineout-Overholt (2015) observed that EBP is an essential component for enhancing quality of care to patients in my area of critical care. Critical care is a fast paced and stressful area such as intensive care unit where patients depend highly on ventilators as breathing machines to stabilize their condition. Providing care to life threatening illnesses and injuries can be largely boosted by EBP interventions.

Adopting EBP practice in my culture will improve patient safety and improved care of patients in critical areas and their families for greater satisfaction of healthcare providers. The EPB practice will also minimize the cost of healthcare and reduce the risk of harm to patients and nurses by eliminating unnecessary procures and tests. The process of EBP adoption begins by creating a culture that can integrate and support the use of this practice in the organization (Melnyk, & Fineout-Overholt, 2011). Translating the evidence of EBP into practice can reduce the cost of health care by reducing the length of hospital stay and preventing hospital acquired infections. Studies have shown HAIs are responsible for prolonged stay of patients in hospitals. Therefore, adopting EBP interventions such as regular hand wash for preventing HAIs can reduce hospital stay and reduce the cost of healthcare for patients.

Nurses in critical care departments deliver care to patients in critical conditions, hence the need to offer care that based on evidence. The practice helps nurses to make well founded decision regarding patient care and better outcomes (Melnyk & Fineout-Overholt, 2015). Besides, EBP keeps nurses updated about new medical interventions for improving patients care. Nurses in critical care can search for EBP protocols that match profiles of their patients and apply them in patient care thus increasing recovery chances for their patients. In addition, it also allows patients to be included in their care plan and to play a key role in their healing and recovery. Patients can share their preferences and value to facilitate quick recovery (Malik, McKenna, & Plummer, 2016). The EBP interventions eliminate outdated practices in nursing care, supplies, products, and equipment in nursing and clinical care help to improve patient outcomes. Instead, nurses can utilize latest technology to facilitate delivery of efficient care to patients in the critical nursing care.

Conclusion

The essay focused on significance of EPB practice in the critical care branch of nursing practice. EPB application drives better patient safety and outcomes as care providers relies on the proven scientific evidence in delivery of care services. It reduces medical errors and dam age of healthcare resources. The EBP eliminates outdated practice, supplies, products, and equipment in nursing and clinical care help to improve patient outcomes. Since applying EBP at bedside leads to improved care and reduce cost of care for patients, organizations adopting EBP can obtain higher reliability. Overall, EBP practice improve patient outcome and reduce the cost of healthcare for patient in critical area such as intensive care unit.

References

Hassan, H. (2019). The Impact of Evidence-Based Nursing as The Foundation for Professional Maternity Nursing Practices. Open Access Journal of Reproductive system and Sexual Disorder, 2(2), 196-197.

Malik, G., McKenna, L., & Plummer, V. (2016). Facilitators and barriers to evidence-based practice: perceptions of nurse educators, clinical coaches and nurse specialists from a descriptive study. Contemporary nurse, 52(5), 544-554.

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

Melnyk, B., & Fineout-Overholt, E. (2015). Evidence-based practice in nursing and healthcare: A guide to best practice (4th ed.). Philadelphia, PA: Wolters Kluwer. ISBN: 9781496384539.