1

Evidence-based Practice/Standards of Care Assignment GUIDELINES FOR EVIDENCE-BASED / STANDARDS OF CARE ASSIGNMENT 50 POINTS The nursing care of acutely ill patients is based on theory and research findings. Outcomes of nursing practice can best be achieved by employing evidence-based interventions. In order to explore some of the theory and research applied in nursing practice you are asked to complete the following assignment. 1. Each student will select one acute or critical care topic or skill. Review the list and consider which topic is of interest to you and which one may be something you would encounter in your clinical rotations this semester. 2. Locate at least four (4) references from professional sources that address the topic or skill which you have selected. Professional sources include: recommendations from an authoritative agency (e.g., CDC, AHA, JCAHO, AACN, IHI, AHRQ) a peer-reviewed journal article that is a report of research findings a review article that compiles information about the skill or topic 3. Identify critical elements for the skill or topic that are essential for patient care. Compile these critical elements into a Standards of Care checklist/table. 4. Include a summary of the findings from the literature related to the skill or topic. Give rationale for each of the critical elements for the Standards of Care. Summarize your research into a 2-3 page written paper using the following format: Problem Population/Setting Goal/Outcome Standards of Care/Checklist: Supporting Evidence with reference Reference List

Suggested Topics & Resources for EBP / Standards of Care CCN project National Patient Safety Goals identified by JCAHO (2010) http://www.jointcommission.org/assets/1/18/HAP_2010_NPSG.pdf 1) Improve the safety of medication administration Insulin Heparin, Anticoagulation therapy ISMP alerts: look-alike, sound-alike, high-alert medications (sedatives, narcotics, anticoagulants.) 2) Infection Control Measures IV Catheter-associated infections; Central Lines; Hemodynamic monitoring; catheter associated UTI Mechanical ventilation: suctioning, oral hygiene Aspiration precautions MRSA prevention Clinical Practice Alerts by American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN) http://www.aacn.org/wd/practice/content/practicealerts.pcms?menu=practice&lastmenu=divhead er_evidence-based_resources Oral Care in the Critically Ill Noninvasive Blood Pressure Monitoring Severe Sepsis Deep Vein Thrombosis Prevention Preventing Catheter-Related Bloodstream Infections Verification of Feeding Tube Placement Family Presence During CPR and Invasive Procedures ST Segment Monitoring Dysrhythmia Monitoring Pulmonary Artery Pressure Measurement (PAP) Ventilator Associated Pneumonia (VAP) Additional Sources for standards of care: Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ). http://www.ahrq.gov/ American Heart Association http://americanheart.org National Guideline Clearinghouse. http://www.guideline.gov/ Institute for HealthCare Improvements (IHI). http://www.ihi.org Best Practices for diseases/disorders: Heart Failure, Acute MI, Sepsis