Impact of Evidence-Based Practice - Medical and Surgical Nursing - Assessment Answer

ASSESSMENT 1

Impact of Evidence-Based Practice (EBP) in Medical and Surgical Nursing

Introduction

Evidence-based nursing practice has gained more popularity in recent times for nursing professions. The involvement of research findings, theoretical knowledge, clinical expertise, opinions of experts, and so forth is part of evidence-based nursing practice. Practices that rely on research findings are known to have more positive patient outcomes (LoBiondo-Wood, 2017). This practice provides opportunities relevant to nursing care that are more individualized, effective, streamlined, and dynamic, maximizing relevant clinical judgments (Murdaugh, 2018).

This study describes how EBP helps nursing practice provide high-quality, safe care, improves outcomes of implemented treatments, reduces costs, and leads to higher levels of involvement, teamwork, and job satisfaction among clinicians. Additionally, the step-by-step application of EBP in improving medical and surgical nursing will be discussed.

Evidence-Based Nursing

EBP is a problem-solving approach designed for clinical practice that integrates the conscientious use of best evidence with clinical expertise and patient preferences for making decisions regarding care. EBP positively affects healthcare facilities, cost containment, and availability of appropriate information for patients regarding treatment options (Townsend, 2017).

EBP also impacts the education of nursing students, encourages practice-oriented research, and develops closer relationships between researchers and clinicians. Clinicians are expected to maintain standards amid ongoing changes, and EBP serves as an excellent approach to ensure this. It enhances practitioner efficiency and enables the incorporation of evidence in clinical practices (Boltz, 2016).

Key tools for implementing EBP include curiosity, detailed knowledge about EBP, maintaining high standards of care, and incorporation of research and informatics skills (Stiggelbout, 2015).

Medical and Surgical Nursing & EBP

Medical and surgical nursing involves caring for adult or elderly patients experiencing medical conditions, often in pre- or post-operative contexts. Nurses perform general assessments relevant to patient conditions, therapies, or interventions. Research shows that EBP improves quality of care, patient outcomes, cost-efficiency, and job satisfaction among nurses. However, many nurses remain inconsistent in implementing EBP.

The EBP cycle includes:

• Asking relevant questions
• Acquiring knowledge
• Appraising evidence
• Applying standards in practice
• Assessing implemented actions (Feo, 2017)

EBP involves critical appraisal of evidence to determine reliability, validity, and applicability of questions raised by the client. Integration of evidence with clinical studies and client preferences generates the best clinical decisions (Curtis, 2015).

Steps Involved in Implementation of EBP

Step 1: Cultivating Inquiry

This step involves developing curiosity within the practitioner and asking relevant questions regarding the services to be provided. For example, a nurse seeking effective non-pharmacological therapy for a post-operative patient would search for practical interventions proven to positively affect outcomes. The research question is designed using the PICOT format (Tobiano, 2017).

Step 2: Formulating Clinical Questions (PICOT)

PICOT stands for:

• P – Population of interest
• I – Intervention
• C – Comparison
• O – Outcome
• T – Timeframe

This framework helps researchers search electronic databases for relevant articles (Echevarria, 2015) and frame specific questions based on the case scenario.

Step 3: Searching and Collecting Evidence

Using PICOT streamlines searches by minimizing irrelevant information and maximizing relevant results. Combining search terms and applying limits (e.g., excluding foreign-language or animal studies) narrows results for clinical questions (Wilson, 2015).

Step 4: Critical Appraisal of Evidence

Articles must be reviewed, validated, and tested for authenticity using three key questions:

1. Is the result valid? – Determines rigor of research methods.
2. What are the results and their importance? – Assesses reliability of methods.
3. Will the results help care for my patient? – Evaluates applicability to practice.

Results are then combined to examine if a common conclusion emerges (Stiggelbout, 2015).

Step 5: Integration of Evidence

Evidence is combined with clinical expertise and patient preferences to guide practice. Clinical expertise from lab assessments and management data is essential, and patient values must be incorporated for effective implementation (Rothrock, 2018).

Step 6: Evaluation of Outcomes

Continuous monitoring and evaluation after implementing EBP is crucial. Clinical trial success does not guarantee real-world success. Evaluating outcomes identifies flaws and improves quality of care (Wilson, 2015).

Step 7: Dissemination of EBP Results

Sharing results with colleagues or other healthcare organizations prevents duplication of work and promotes evidence-based practice. Dissemination of successful outcomes contributes to changes in clinical practice (Rothrock, 2018).

Conclusion

EBP improves nursing care quality, patient outcomes, cost efficiency, and job satisfaction. Stepwise implementation ensures careful evaluation, integration of clinical expertise, and patient preferences. Continuous evaluation and dissemination of results are essential for sustaining EBP in clinical practice. Despite challenges, the structured use of EBP provides a framework for safe, effective, and individualized nursing care.

References

• Boltz, M., Capezuti, E., Fulmer, T. T., & Zwicker, D. (2016). Evidence-based geriatric nursing protocols for best practice. Springer Publishing Company.
• Curtis, K., Fry, M., Shaban, R. Z., & Considine, J. (2017). Translating research findings to clinical nursing practice. Journal of Clinical Nursing, 26(5-6), 862-872.
• Echevarria, I. M., & Walker, S. (2015). Start with a PICOT question to make your case. Nursing2018 Critical Care, 10(3), 14-16.
• Feo, R., Conroy, T., Marshall, R. J., Rasmussen, P., Wiechula, R., & Kitson, A. L. (2017). Using holistic interpretive synthesis to create practice-relevant guidance for person-centred fundamental care delivered by nurses. Nursing Inquiry, 24(2), e12152.
• LoBiondo-Wood, G., & Haber, J. (2017). Nursing research: Methods and critical appraisal for evidence-based practice. Elsevier Health Sciences.
• Murdaugh, C. L., Parsons, M. A., & Pender, N. J. (2018). Health promotion in nursing practice. Pearson Education Canada.
• Rothrock, J. C. (2018). Alexander's Care of the Patient in Surgery-E-Book. Elsevier Health Sciences.
• Stiggelbout, A. M., Pieterse, A. H., & De Haes, J. C. J. M. (2015). Shared decision making concepts, evidence, and practice. Patient Education and Counseling, 98(10), 1172-1179.
• Tobiano, G., Whitty, J. A., Bucknall, T., & Chaboyer, W. (2017). Nurses’ perceived barriers to bedside handover and their implication for clinical practice. Worldviews on Evidence-Based Nursing, 14(5), 343-349.
• Townsend, M. C., & Morgan, K. I. (2017). Psychiatric mental health nursing: Concepts of care in evidence-based practice. FA Davis.
• Wilson, M., Sleutel, M., Newcomb, P., Behan, D., Walsh, J., Wells, J. N., & Baldwin, K. M. (2015). Empowering nurses with evidence-based practice environments: Surveying Magnet, Pathway to Excellence, and non-magnet facilities in one healthcare system. Worldviews on Evidence-Based Nursing, 12(1), 12-21.

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