Evidence based nursing practice - Research Paper Example

10). DESCRIPTION Evidence based nursing practice is the application of nursing practice based on information gathered from researches (McCann, 2007, p. 2). Usually, this information came from nurses’ experiences in the health care setting. Research data help nurses in deciding appropriate patient care and tend to be more updated than reference books. In conducting evidence based nursing practice project, the basic steps involved are: clinical question formulation, searching and reviewing articles on that clinical question, critical evaluation and comparison of the articles, application of the information from the articles, and outcome evaluation of the changes made in local practice (McCann, 2007, p. 5). Developing a clinical question may arise from clinical practice or to an area where an individual wants to gain awareness.

To start a clinical question, it must be specific, concrete, and pointing relationship between patient and exposure. The formulation of an outcome and factors to consider are also included in the first step. After establishing clinical questions, the nurse will have to review relevant articles to use. Online indexes, published journals, books, and other references serve as databases and will help in broadening knowledge about the research topic. The next step is critical evaluation and comparison of the articles.

In this step, the nurse must make sure that articles were published in peer-reviewed journals, that is, outside experts had reviewed the article prior to publication (McCann, 2007, p. 6). Articles are examined for quality indicators such as validity and reliability. If found out that the information from the article is valid and reliable, the information from the article is applied. Then, outcomes are further evaluated depending on the patient’s response. The response of the patient serves as gauge line for measuring initial objectives.

Documentation must be concise and objective, and additional information are implemented as new heath practice. In 2008, Reavey and Tavernier conducted a study comprising the team formation of staff nurses, unit nurse manager, clinical nurse specialist, nurse researcher, and infection control nurse. The clinical question is to identify the best practice for frequency of central line dressing changes in severely neutropenic patients. The current policy, which is daily dressing changes, resulted in skin breakdown and increases the chance for infection.

The patients were dissatisfied also with the frequency and discomfort due to skin breakdown. The team conducted a literature search of relevant evidence. Based on the literatures, the team came up with a proposal that central line dressings must be changed every 7 days or as needed, and gauze dressing changes every 2 days. The expected outcomes were reduced cost spent in supplies and less nursing time required, as well as decreased infection and skin breakdown. The team implemented the proposal and conducted a pilot study measuring outcomes.

During 6 months of trial, blood stream infection rate is 4 per 1,000 line days, which is below the benchmark. Based on this result, the current health policy on central line dres