In healthcare, your goal is always to provide the most effective care. Many settings use evidence-based practice to achieve this end. At Prism Career Institute, students in our Practical Nursing program receive a well-rounded education that includes evidence-based practice. Here, we explore what this concept means, its benefits, and how it is implemented in healthcare settings nationwide.
What Is Evidence-Based Practice?
Evidence-based practice is a well-known concept in the healthcare industry. Simply put, it is an approach to medicine that relies on the most current knowledge available. Medical researchers conduct in-depth studies to collect and analyze evidence. Healthcare professionals then implement this research to optimize clinical care while accounting for patient preferences.
As a nursing student, you may already be using evidence-based practices without knowing it. Many modern practices are founded upon proof provided through research. Some common examples include:
- Emphasis on handwashing and hygiene to prevent infection
- Noninvasive techniques to measure blood pressure in children
- Protocols to prevent and alleviate alarm fatigue
To follow evidence-based practice, nursing students must continually review the most recent research. New data can lay the groundwork for improvements in the clinic. If scientific study suggests a way for care to be more safe, effective, or comfortable, it should be utilized.
Benefits for Nurses and Patients
Evidence-based practice is primarily used because it makes care better. Whether you work in a clinic, an urgent care facility, a nursing home, or a diagnostics facility, evidence-based methodology offers many advantages in the healthcare space. Healthcare organizations, nurses, and patients alike can all benefit in many ways, including:
Tools to Problem-Solve
Medical concerns can arise unexpectedly. When something changes in a patient’s condition, nurses must be equipped to make informed decisions on how to proceed. Evidence-based practice empowers nurses with new tools and techniques they can employ to solve problems. You’ll be applying tested medical methods instead of potentially unproven treatments.
Improved Overall Care
Overall care gets a boost when providers rely on evidence-based practice. It often makes care more effective, safer, and comfortable, and patients may experience fewer side effects and complications. Patients can feel confident of receiving a positive outcome. They’ll also gain greater trust in you and your facility.
Reduced Costs
Improved healthcare also leads to reduced costs. Instead of investing resources and time into outdated protocols or procedures whose efficacy is uncertain, your organization can focus on methods that are proven to work. This helps reduce overall spending. Those funds can then be allocated toward more useful resources, further enhancing your facility’s ability to provide top-quality care.
Transparency with Patients
Finally, evidence-based practice facilitates patient communication. It equips you with a trusted source for explaining a treatment plan to your patient. You’ll be able to tell them why a method works and have the evidence to support your argument. This allows you to improve relationships with patients, increasing overall satisfaction and the likelihood of patient follow-through.
Implementing Evidence-Based Practice in Nursing
Nursing with evidence-based practice requires critical thinking and judgment. You can develop these skills by practicing five basic steps:
- Identify the problem and determine a goal, such as improving a particular procedure.
- Review relevant clinical articles from legitimate sources.
- Appraise your resources for quality, validity, and relevance.
- Apply new information by making decisions based on the evidence gathered.
- Assess the outcome to determine whether your approach was effective.
The goal of this five-step method is to combine external evidence, expertise, and patient values to create an effective treatment plan. Together, these elements provide an essential guideline for making patient care decisions.
Challenges with Implementation
Because of its many advantages, most healthcare providers have adopted an evidence-based approach. It’s important to remember, however, that not every location follows this philosophy. Implementing evidence-based practice requires the support of your nurse manager and team. There are many reasons why this support might be difficult to acquire:
- Lack of understanding about evidence-based practice and its benefits
- Lack of support from the organization’s administration
- Lack of resources to implement the new practice
- Noncompliance with existing regulations within the organization
New nurses should be aware of the requirements and potential setbacks before attempting to change a procedure or implement new ones.
Learn Nursing at Prism Career Institute
To provide the best care, nurses must learn the most effective methods. Prism Career Institute offers a comprehensive nursing education through our Practical Nursing program, available at campuses in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and Cherry Hill, New Jersey. Through this program, we train nursing students in evidence-based practice and other essential skills, empowering them to begin a rewarding career path. Contact us today for information on the Practical Nursing program requirements for admissions and more.