Evidence-Based Practice: Why Does It Matter?
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Quarterly circulation approximately 223,000 to all RNs, LPNs, and student nurses in Ohio. VOLUME 7 | NUMBER 1 | DECEMBER 2013 Evidence-Based Practice: Why Does It Matter? Developed by: (NCSBN) has stated that evidence based practice is not states that “safety and quality of patient care is dependent Pamela S. Dickerson, PhD, RN-BC just another buzz-word or fad, but that it is an expected on teamwork, communication, and a collaborative work standard of ensuring safe patient care that is “here to stay” environment.” Use of evidence based practice tools The author and planning committee members have (Spector, 2007). provides a common framework for discussion, shared declared no conflict of interest. Regulatory boards in each state exist for the purpose involvement, and decision making. The SBAR example This independent study has been designed to empower of protecting the public. One way to do that is to be sure for interprofessional communication included later in this nurses to engage in evidence-based practice to strengthen that nurses are practicing in a safe and competent manner. study is one example of an evidence-based practice that has their own professional roles. 1.6 contact hours will be For example, the Ohio Board of Nursing has rules in the contributed to more effective team interaction. awarded for successful completion of this independent Ohio Administrative Code (OAC) that relate to competent The 2010 IOM report, Redesigning Continuing study. practice for registered and licensed practical nurses (4723- Education in the Health Professions, supports the Disclaimer: Information in this study is intended for 4-03 OAC and 4723-4-04 OAC, respectively). One aspect requirements of The Joint Commission in advocating educational purposes only. It is not intended to provide of competence is that “a registered nurse shall maintain for ongoing learning across professions that supports legal and/or medical advice or to be a comprehensive current knowledge of the duties, responsibilities, and integration of evidence based practice to improve patient compendium of evidence-based practice. For specific accountabilities for safe nursing practice.” (4723-4-03(B) outcomes. This report recommends, among other things, implementation information, please contact an appropriate OAC). Similar language exists in rule 4723-4-04 OAC for that “continuing education efforts should bring health professional, organization, legal source, or facility policy. the licensed practical nurse. The term current means that professionals from various disciplines together” (p. 3) The Ohio Nurses Association (OBN-001-91) is the nurse is expected to keep abreast of new knowledge, in learning environments that focus on evidence based accredited as a provider of continuing nursing education by research, and evidence that supports nursing interventions, practice and practice based evidence to close gaps in the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Commission keeps patients safe, and contributes to quality patient care. practice that impact patient care. on Accreditation. The purpose of the Ohio Board of Nursing, and boards In 2011, the IOM published an extremely important Expires 10/2015. Copyright © 2011, 2013 Ohio Nurses of nursing in all other states as well, is to protect the report, The Future of Nursing: Leading Change; Association. public. Implementation of evidence-based practice is one Advancing Health. This report has been the stimulus for strategy for the nurse to use to make sure that the public is development of action coalitions in states around the US OBJECTIVES protected when nursing care is provided. to implement the recommendations for nursing to be 1. Define evidence-based practice. Over the past several years, the Institute of Medicine more visible, more active, and more committed to making 2. Describe ways to use evidence-based practice to (IOM) has published a series of reports related to patient a difference in the US healthcare system. There are a ensure safe patient care. safety in the United States health care system. Their 2001 number of recommendations in this report that focus report, Crossing the Quality Chasm: A New Health System on nurses practicing to the full scope of their knowledge Introduction for the 21st Century, states that the attributes of quality and skills, nurses as leaders in the transformation of the Evidence-based practice has become a commonly used care are safety, effectiveness and efficiency, patient- healthcare system, and nurses achieving higher levels of term in health care in the past few years. It is important centeredness, timeliness, and equity. Evidence-based education that provide them with the ability to critically for nurses to know what it means, how to use it, and how practice provides the foundation for safe care, leading analyze data and make effective decisions to provide important it is in protecting patient safety. This study will to increased effectiveness and efficiency, timeliness, and quality care for patients. define evidence-based practice and provide examples more appropriate focus of research-based data within the In an era where cost effectiveness and efficiency in of how evidence based practice questions can be used framework of the patient’s current situation and needs. healthcare operations are key, it is also important to to guide delivery of safe patient care. The purpose of the This in turn leads to equity in utilization of resources and consider the economic benefit of using evidence based study is to empower nurses to engage in evidence-based assurance that each patient receives the most appropriate practice. Schifalacqua, Soukup, Kelley, and Mason (2012) practice to strengthen their own professional roles. individualized care, according to his/her presenting needs. describe a cost-of-care metric used to calculate cost In 2004, the IOM published a seminal work focused on savings that accrue when healthcare-acquired conditions Significance improving the work environment for nurses as a significant are prevented through use of evidence based practice In 2002, Sigma Theta Tau International, the honor strategy to keep patients safe. Key components of standards. In their example, one healthcare system was society of nursing, developed a position statement on improving the work environment for nurses are stimulating able to document cost-avoidance (money that didn’t have evidence-based practice. This paper describes how nurses to seek evidence to support practice, providing the to be spent to care for patients with these conditions) of $8 important it is for nurses to be able to access, evaluate, resources and tools nurses need to collect and evaluate million in one year! This is clear evidence that evidence- integrate, and use “best practices” to promote patient that evidence, challenging them to assess the evidence in based practice makes a difference – both in terms of safety. The document was revised in 2005 and is available relation to a specific patient’s need, and empowering them preventing avoidable clinical complications and in terms of at http://www.nursingsociety.org/aboutus/PositionPapers/ to take the initiative to implement best practices. saving money for the organization. Pages/EBN_positionpaper.aspx. (STTI, 2005). In this It is clearly understood that nurses do not work in a document, the society defines evidence-based practice vacuum; they must work effectively as members of the Definition as “integration of the best evidence available, nursing healthcare team. The Joint Commission has emphasized Evidence-based practice, in its simplest form, means expertise, and the values and preferences of the the need for all healthcare providers to work together more using evidence to guide practice. This is an alternative to individuals, families, and communities who are served.” effectively in the best interests of quality patient care. Their Sentinel Event Alert issued in July of 2008, for example, The National Council of State Boards of Nursing Evidence-Based Practice continued on page 4 Non-Profit Org. Inside This Issue U.S. Postage Paid Princeton, MN Permit No. 14 current resident or Evidence-Based Practice: National Priorities Partnership ......... 7-11 Why Does It Matter? ............... 1-6 The Board’s Disciplinary Authority: CE4Nurses.org ....................... 2 What Does It Mean & How Does It Happen? ...................... 12-15 Page 2 Ohio Nurse December 2013 Ohio Nurses Foundation Accepting Free Independent Studies Applications for Scholarships and Grants OHIO NURSE The Ohio Nurses Foundation will accept applications for the following scholarships and grants until January 15, 2014. Applications and additional information can be found by going to www. The official publication of the Ohio Nurses Foundation, ohionursesfoundation.org. 4000 East Main St., Columbus, OH 43213-2983, (614) 237-5414. 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