Ev Idence Based Practice
Implementation of Evidence-Based Practice
Shelly Wright
Submitted to Sharon Mooney, RN, MSN in partial fulfillment of
NR 460R Evidence-Based Practice in Nursing
Regis University
April 9, 2010 Implementation of Evidence-Based Practice Throughout history, nursing practice has experienced change. Florence Nightingale initiated the greatest change in nursing in the mid-1800’s when she gathered data regarding the morbidity and mortality of soldiers (Chitty & Black, 2007). Nightingale recognized there was a need for change to improve patient outcomes. Her determination to provide the best possible care, based on the evidence she gathered, has inspired a profession. Today, the process of using research to care for patients is referred to as evidence-based practice. The purpose of this paper is to define and explain the importance of evidence-based practice, discuss qualitative and quantitative research studies which affect medical-surgical areas, and barriers preventing research utilization and how they may be overcome.
Definition of Evidence-Based Practice There are numerous definitions of evidence-based practice (EBP). EBP is defined by Boswell and Cannon (2007) as, “A research-based, decision-making process used to guide the delivery of holistic patient care by nurses” (p. 340). Cope (as cited in Chitty & Black, 2007), defines EBP as “using the best available research findings to make clinical decisions that are most effective and beneficial for patients” (p. 275). It is clear throughout the spectrum of definitions that research is important for making the best possible clinical decisions for patient care.
The Importance of Evidence-Based Research Evidence-based research and EBP are important to nursing for many reasons. The most important reason for evidence-based research is that it provides a scientific basis for nursing care, which is one criteria of a profession. Knowledgeable nurses who use research in practice provide better
Shelly Wright
Submitted to Sharon Mooney, RN, MSN in partial fulfillment of
NR 460R Evidence-Based Practice in Nursing
Regis University
April 9, 2010 Implementation of Evidence-Based Practice Throughout history, nursing practice has experienced change. Florence Nightingale initiated the greatest change in nursing in the mid-1800’s when she gathered data regarding the morbidity and mortality of soldiers (Chitty & Black, 2007). Nightingale recognized there was a need for change to improve patient outcomes. Her determination to provide the best possible care, based on the evidence she gathered, has inspired a profession. Today, the process of using research to care for patients is referred to as evidence-based practice. The purpose of this paper is to define and explain the importance of evidence-based practice, discuss qualitative and quantitative research studies which affect medical-surgical areas, and barriers preventing research utilization and how they may be overcome.
Definition of Evidence-Based Practice There are numerous definitions of evidence-based practice (EBP). EBP is defined by Boswell and Cannon (2007) as, “A research-based, decision-making process used to guide the delivery of holistic patient care by nurses” (p. 340). Cope (as cited in Chitty & Black, 2007), defines EBP as “using the best available research findings to make clinical decisions that are most effective and beneficial for patients” (p. 275). It is clear throughout the spectrum of definitions that research is important for making the best possible clinical decisions for patient care.
The Importance of Evidence-Based Research Evidence-based research and EBP are important to nursing for many reasons. The most important reason for evidence-based research is that it provides a scientific basis for nursing care, which is one criteria of a profession. Knowledgeable nurses who use research in practice provide better