The Importance of Core Values at the Expense of Evidence-Based Practice - Essay Example

Together with other practices like the blind placement of gastric and postpyloric tubes in the lungs, measurement of blood pressure, selection of electrocardiographic leads, Glasgow coma scale in neurological assessment, and management of intracranial hypertension have been identified as key areas where evidence-based practice have failed (Rauen, et al, 2014, p.112). Evidence alone is not sufficient to complete the health recovery of the patient. Consultation on the patient’s preference coupled with nursing ethics and core values have been known to yield better results (CNA Centennial, 2008, p. 2).

• Evidence-based practice assumes that scientific knowledge is used in the context of a particular problem affecting a number of people in a population (Beyer & Slattery, 2006, p. 1; Houser, Oman, 2011, p. 4).
This is regardless of whether these are recent or past results. Newly established health problems may not benefit from the research when the treatment is dependent on past research (NCIRD, 2014, p. 1). For example, seasonal research studies on how well flu vaccines work has registered varied result based on the study design applied (NCIRD, 2014, p. 1). The differences thus make it impossible to use an old research finding as a solution to the recently discovered type of flu. When old evidence is used, the patient’s healing process is hence compromised since it requires real-time solutions that uphold core values to solve newly developed problems (Thomas, Burt, Parker, 2014, p. 14). The core values are related to the basis on which the nursing profession was formulated.

Clinical practice situations that have involved nursing values
• The core values to a holistic response to the patients and family needs safety, competence, and ethical care, respect for the patient’s rights, decisions, dignity, right to privacy and confidentiality (Nelligan, et al., 2002, p.64).
For example treatment care for patients with cancer involves ethical care and respect for patients' decisions (Nelligan, et al., 2002, p.66). The nurses are guided by the intention of the patient to achieve good health. They, therefore, identify and respect the patient’s rights likely to be affected by the treatment decision taken. Some patients may prefer never to go for chemotherapy especially when the disease is at an advanced stage. With dignity, the inherent worth of the patient is preserved since the patient is entitled to privacy and confidentiality even as they seek good health (CNA Centennial, 2008, p. 11). The nurses thus work with the patient and family to achieve good health within a safe and ethical environment.

• The unique needs of the patients and their families drive the nurse’s response and a decision made (Shaw & Degazon, 2008, p. 44).
The fact that nurses recognize that respect, affectionate communication, and collaboration between the patient, family, and the nurse are key ingredients to a successful recovery. That coupled with strict adherence to human rights and equitable treatment make the nursing profession more need-based than evidence-based (Haney, McMenamin, 2012, p. 1). For example, when treating patients of different ages for sexually transmitted diseases, adolescents may need a little counseling to avoid depression befalling them ( Benner, Hughes, & Sutphen, n.d, p.5). Patient safety and quality remain the main drive to such an approach.

Clinical practice situations that have involved decision making
• Decision-making is a product of knowledge manifested through logical and rational reasoning (Benner, Hughes, & Sutphen, n.d., p. 6). The outcome of the treatment attracts a sense of ethical responsibility since it judges the effectiveness of the decision made by the clinician (Spector, 2014, p. 1).
Few decision errors imply that a nurse has been able to apply real-time solutions to unique problems (Mariano, n.d, p. 62). Such moral urgency requires one to focus on intelligently picked patient concerns demanding particular attention that will help in avoiding compromises to patient care. The call is thus to use relevant real-time solutions and not research evidence. Therefore, an argument that evidence-based practice has taken over the importance of core values is very wrong.