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Running head: EVIDENCE-BASE PRACTICE

Laura Velasquez

Evidence-Base Practice

University of Saint Mary

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EVIDENCE-BASE PRACTICE
Evidence-Base Practice

What is EBP?

For years the delivery of care knowledge for nursing practice was based of on the job

experience. Today, making decisions about the delivery of care and providing the best patient

outcomes supported by evidence is the quintessence of nursing. Evidence-based practice (EBP)

is an approach to health care practice where the nurse is informed of the evidence that relates to

clinical practice by virtue of the evidence. In medicine, EBP has been defined as the

conscientious, explicit, and judicious use of the current best evidence in making decisions about

the care of individual patients (as cited in McEwan & Wills, 2014). Sigma Theta Tau defines

EBP as an “integration of best clinical practice, research evidence, nursing expertise, and the

values and preferences of the individuals, families, and communities who are served”

(Finkelman and Kenner, 2012). EBP has become the standard for research-based, and informed

decision making for nursing care.

Importance of EBP in Health Care

EBP has not fully been implemented by all healthcare facilities more often nursing

interventions are “…based on experience, tradition, intuition, common sense, and untested

theories” (McEwen & Wills, 2014). Nursing educators reported that “if evidence does not inform

the nurse’s clinical judgment, nursing practice can become rapidly outdated and patient care can

ultimately suffer” (as cited in Cowen and Moorhead, 2011). According to McEwen and Wills

(2014), “nursing scholars note that EBP relies on integration research, theory, and practice and is

equivalent to theory-base practice as the objective of both is the highest level of safety and

efficacy for patients. The Institute of Medicine emphasizes to, “integrate best research with

clinical expertise and patient values for optimum care, and participate in learning and research
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activities to the extent feasible” (Finkelman & Kenner, 2012).

Differences Between Research and EBP

In 1970 Dr. Archie Cochrane questioned the effectiveness of non-researched practices in

medicine. He therefore wrote a book focusing on the critical review of research emphasizing

randomized control trials to support medical practice. According to the New Oxford American

Dictionary (2013) research is the systematic investigation into and study of materials and sources

in order to establish facts and reach new conclusions. Evidence-Based practice is the approach in

health care linking nursing theory, research, and practice, therefore providing the best outcomes

in patient care.

Evidence Application to Nursing Practice

One of the evidence-based practice interventions that was recently implemented in the

surgery unit preoperatively is the application of the bear paw gown. It a disposable gown that has

an access port to blow warm air into the gown keeping the body temperature warm. It also

serves as a warm blanket during surgery, keeping the core body temperature normal. In keeping

the body at normal temperature, the body can than focus its energy in healing itself as oppose in

trying to keep itself warm. The outcomes are that it prevents the use of medication for the chills

and shakes, and sometimes it helps pain, therefore reducing the postoperative time to discharge.

References

Cowen, S. & Moorhead, S. (2011). Current issues in nursing (8th ed.). St. Louis, MO: Mosby,

Inc.
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Finkelman, A. & Kenner, C. (2012). Learning IOM: Implications of the Institute of Medicine

reports for nursing education (3rd ed.). Silver Spring, MD: Nursbooks.org.

McEwan, M. & Wills, E. M. (2014). Theoretical basis for nursing (4th ed.). Philadelphia, PA:

Wolters Kluwer Health/Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.

Research. (2013). In New Oxford American Dictionary (version 2.2.1). Apple Inc.