Why Is It Important for Nurses to Utilize Evidence Based Practice - Essay Example

Research/EBP/Global Health Essay Position Paper al Affiliation Evidence Based Practice means that clinicians apply evaluation and treatment methods in order to treat certain disorders and populations. In this kind of practice, it is important to take into account a client’s choice for treatment, clinical knowledge and comprehension of the patho-physiology of a disorder. Evidence-based practice provides nurses with pure and proven information to apply in their practice and allows them to quickly sort out information thus providing healthcare more effectively. Evidence-based practice involves the application of research methods to gather information. This is a key reason why nurses need to understand research methods in order to implement evidence-based practice. All over the world, nurses rely on evidence gathered through evidence-based practice to provide healthcare to patients. In Australia, nurses manage patients suffering from subarachnoid hemorrhage using information and skills gathered from evidence-based practice. Keywords: Evidence Based Practice (EBP), Care, Nurses, Research Methods What are your thoughts on why you think it is important for nurses to utilize Evidence Based Practice? Evidence Based Practice means that in order to treat certain disorders and populations, clinicians apply evaluation and treatment methods (ASAT, n.d.). In Evidence Based Practice, a client’s choice for treatment, clinical knowledge and comprehension of the patho-physiology of a disorder are taken into account. This means that the nurses use methods that are keenly studied and whose results have been analyzed and published. Unfortunately when nurses start practicing nursing, the practice is not based on facts, but rather a reflection of routines or rules of the hospital. Nurses tend to resist EBP, which is a very important technology. For nursing staff, initiation of EBP information is sometimes discouraging. Malloch and Porter-OGrady point out that “a common fear among practicing nurses is that obtaining the needed information will be time-consuming, and there is little time available in a work setting where nurses are already overloaded” (2010, p. 73). Evidence Based Practice is generally “a model of care whereby nurses, using current evidence or research knowledge, make decisions using clinical expertise and patient preferences to guide patient care” (Schmidt & Brown, 2011, p. 388). Since obvious conclusions can sometimes be completely wrong, EBP becomes important as it provides pure data analysis. Sometimes there can be leaving out of new research, miscalculation of data values, manipulation of interviews, and misreading of data. EBP employs statistical data analysis together with the best research hence leaves no doubts. Finally, large amounts of data are sorted out quickly using EBP. It reduces or eliminates any single point of failure, dissects qualitative data and allows practitioners to rely on detailed factual analysis over any personal bias. Cohen supports the aim of the Evidence Based Practice, which involves “reducing wide variations in individual clinician practices, eliminating worst practices, thereby improving quality and reducing costs” (2005, p. 572). Why do nurses need to understand research methods in order to implement evidence-based practice? Evidence-based practice involves the application of research methods to gather information. This is a key reason why nurses need to understand research methods in order to implement evidence-based practice. EBP increases the efficiency of nurses. This is because their decisions are based on knowledge that is backed up by research making it easier for them to choose what kind of care to give to their patients. This saves a lot of time, which can be used on other patients who are in more need of the care. This provides better patient outcome. Nurses regularly make their decisions on what to give their patients and these decisions have a positive or negative impact on the patient. The patient will mostly experience a better outcome when care is based on comprehensive research and proven methods (Stanhope & Lancaster, 2014). Application of research methods in implementation of evidence-based practice by nurses keeps the nursing practice current. Nurses who understand and effectively apply research methods stay informed on the new discoveries that have been made. This is another reason why nurses should read materials or books that cover nursing research as it keeps their practice current. Nurses who are conversant with research methods are confident, especially in regard to the decisions they make every day. This is because they are sure that the facts they get are based on information that has been keenly and thoroughly researched on. All nurses make decisions at some point during their provision of health care. Making accurate and wise decisions requires adequate data analysis, which is a skill in nurses who are good researchers. Research has proven to be very important. It has made nursing easy and patients get adequate care and attention and the treatment given is accurate and reliable. As nurses teach other nurses the process of evidence-based practice, the fear of the method reduces when the teacher nurses are conversant with research methods. How are nurses utilizing the evidence-based practice around the world (global health care). In an attempt to provide the best quality care of their patients, nurses are challenged to stay informed regarding new developments in the health care. With the growth of the health care knowledge, there is an increase in the health care cost and patient’s satisfaction has continued to increase. Nurses have continued to increase in numbers and are continuously considered vital members in any health care. Nurses have effectively participated and led in different forms of health care; this is mainly because of the knowledge available to them. The use of evidence based practice has helped nurses respond and react to challenges that have come along the way during work. EBP has been applied by nurses all over the world. The growth of knowledge and development of EBP information technology has had a positive influence in the health care. People are living longer and healthier around the world. Nurses are using EBP to gain more knowledge in their expertise. More knowledge helps develop health care. Despite their busy schedules, nurses have acquired the knowledge they need to help in curing and counseling their patients. EBP develops individual’s guideline to the best of their practice to inform the improvement of whatever professional task is at hand. According to Harris and Roussel, “one method for facilitating the growth and development of evidence-based practice in a healthcare setting is through the use of nursing grand rounds” (2010, p. 143). Nurses all over the world use evidence-based practice in their provision of healthcare to patients by relying on evidence gathered using the method. This is because the kind of information gathered is scientifically proven and firmly appraised. With a lot of proven information at their disposal, nurses are able to make informed decisions about the kind of care to provide to patients. This way patients give great outcomes as the best form of care is provided to them. How nurses manage subarachnoid hemorrhage patients in Australia using evidence-based practice The application of research in nursing has a long history. There are different evidence-based health care practices for a range of diseases such as diabetes, heart failure and asthma among others. In the management of subarachnoid hemorrhage, nurses apply evidence based practice. After a subarachnoid hemorrhage, intense nursing care is needed from the management of the patient (Lange, 2009). According to Lange (2009), provision of proper nursing care requires a deep understanding of the psychology and mechanisms of the condition. Nurses conduct studies of similar cases and reflectively analyze the information. They then use the information gathered to properly manage subarachnoid hemorrhage patients. In conclusion, evidence-based practice is important for nurses as it applies pure data analysis, which ensures that new research is not left out, data values are not miscalculated, interviews are not manipulated and data is not misread. This ensures that there are no doubts. Nurses are also able to sort out large amounts of data quickly and hence effectively and efficiently provide healthcare. Additionally, nurses who understand and effectively apply research methods stay informed on the new discoveries that have been made. Nurses all over the world use evidence-based practice in their provision of healthcare to patients by relying on evidence gathered using the method. This is because the kind of information gathered is scientifically proven and firmly appraised. In Australia, nurses apply evidence based practice in management of patients with subarachnoid hemorrhage. They conduct studies on cases similar to those of their patients and reflectively analyze the information. This way they are able to come up with the best of managing the patients. Reference List ASAT. (n.d.). What is Evidence-Based Practice and Why Should We Care? Retrieved from http://www.asatonline.org/treatment/articles/evidencebasedpractice.htm. Cohen, E. L. (2005). Nursing Case Management: From Essentials to Advanced Practice Applications. Missouri: Elsevier Mosby. Harris, J. L. & Roussel, L. A. (2010). Initiating and Sustaining the Clinical Nurse Leader Role: A Practical Guide. Sudbury: Jones and Bartlett Publishers. Lange, F. (2009). Nursing Management of Subarachnoid Hemorrhage: A Reflective Case Study. British Journal of Neuroscience Nursing, Vol 5 (Issue No 10), 465-470. Malloch, K. & Porter-OGrady, T. (2010). Introduction to Evidence-Based Practice in Nursing and Health Care. Sudbury: Jones and Bartlett Publishers. Schmidt, N. & Brown, J. (2011). Evidence-Based Practice for Nurses. Sudbury: Jones and Bartlett Publishers. Stanhope, M. & Lancaster, J. (2014). Public Health Nursing - Revised Reprint: Population-Centered Health Care in The Community. Missouri: Elsevier Mosby. Read More