Evidence Based Practice for Clinical Nurse Specialists - Essay Example

"Evidence-Based Practice for Clinical Nurse Specialists" is a decent example of a paper on care.
Clinical nurse specialist (CNS) is a career that interests me among all Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRN) roles. As a CNS, I will work to provide diagnosis, treatment, and care management for patients. Additionally, with my expertise, I will empower and support nurses caring for patients and aid in improving care services by ensuring best practices and evidence-based practices. Evidence-based practice (EBP) refers to a reasonable clinical process that is theory-driven and relies on research-based knowledge in providing care. Rather than depend on tradition and authority, decisions on the delivery of care are founded on findings from high-quality research, clinical expertise, and the patient's perspective. This paper explores EBP resources and guidelines by the National Association of Clinical Specialists (NACNS) and how they could improve a clinical nurse specialist’s practice.

NACNS promotes EBP practices by offering a tutorial for nurses and a network with frequent updates of valid, relevant, and applicable evidence backed by critical expertise. Also, by providing tutorials, journal publications, and research articles, NACNS ensures members remain informed of best practices and stay ahead of methodological, or technological developments. For instance, when treating patients with chronic pulmonary disease (COPD), EBP recommends support for these patients in community settings (Agee, 2017). In these treatments, a study was carried out to explore the application of evidence-based guidelines to lessen opioid prescribing after laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Results showed that it was possible to minimize opioid prescription sizes by 63 percent without increasing the need for medication refills (Agee, 2017).

Furthermore, healthcare infections (HAI) in nursing practice are a significant problem that impacts the mortality, morbidity, and quality of a patient's life. HAI has an estimated annual economic burden amounting to billions in the United States. For example, I would use the best sterile barrier safety measures during central venous catheter insertion. Also, the use of dressings that are immersed in antiseptic or antibiotics would prevent intra-vascular catheter-associated infections. Additionally, using chlorhexidine preparations with a concentration higher than 0.5 % and alcohol to eliminate disease-causing microorganisms on the client's skin (Storr et al., 2017).

Additionally, evidence shows that an initiative to improve sleeping conditions in hospitals would avoid or reduce delirium among patients. Studies in the United States have shown that patients who develop delirium when hospitalized have an increased mortality rate and tend to create high rates of death in the ensuing period after discharge (Guthrie et al., 2018). Some practices that have proven effective in handling delirium clients include always reassuring the patient, teaching them simple relaxation exercises, and ensuring their safety by removing dangerous objects. Also, providing an environment with a low level of stimuli for the patient to reduce increasing anxiety. For example, I would ensure fewer people in the patient’s room, low lighting, low noise levels, and simple décor.

In conclusion, EBP is ultimately significant in ensuring the delivery of high-quality and competent health care. Engaging in continuous education will ensure that as a CNS, I am up to date with recent developments in best practices and consequently improve my practice.