I’m working on a nursing discussion question and need an explanation to help me study.
- Principles of research and evidence-based practice
Alexis Jackson
Evidence based practices (EBPs) refers to using the best available evidence for decision-making and providing efficient and effective care for
patients on a scientific basis (Li et al., 2019). These practices play a major role in health care as they create a culture of safeness. EBPs improve the
healthcare system in general by promoting good health outcomes. This is due to the fact that these practices encourage care that is attentive and
centered around the patient. In addition, with implementation of EBPs, quality improvement increases. These two often have interrelated relationships.
One principle of evidence based practices dates back to the beginning of nursing with Florence Nightingale. Florence Nightingale had a
philosophy on cleanliness and disease prevention. One study she conducted was during the Crimean War. Nightingale began keeping records of
wounds, diseases, and deaths after she suspected most soldiers did not die during the battles but after (Butts & Rich, 2015). She made note of the
environment that the soldiers resided in, mentioning sanitation issues and neglect from the lack of basic necessities and resources. Ths ignited
Nightengale to make a change. She began assembling programs that implemented appropriate sanitation techniques, having supplies that soldiers
needed, having clean water, etc.. It was concluded that less soldiers died after the implementation of Nightingale’s new techniques. Her research
revolutionized quality management by demonstrating the value of objectively measuring and mathematically analyzing mortality data so that results
could be used to improve patient outcomes (Butts and Rich, 2015).
In addition, Ernest Codman (a surgeon) theory supported the importance of evidence based practices. He was known for the “End Result
System” theory. This theory is based on a simple idea, that we can determine how well a treatment works by assessing how well a treatment works
(Bernstein, 2015). This basically means that patients were extensively monitored, focusing on whether treatment was a success or failure. If the
treatment was not effective, the staff would then attempt to determine why, so that similar patients’ cases could be treated successfully in the future
(Butts & Rich, 2015). Surgical treatments continued to change and improve which increased health outcomes for the patients. In contrast, even when
a surgery had a negative effect on a patient or an adverse event occured, there was still a learning moment to contemplate and determine what
happened, so that the mistake would not be repeated (Bernstein, 2015).
With many theories and principles that address the positive effects on patient care with using EBPs, it is crucial that they continue to be a part of
nursing practice. Advanced practice nurses (APNs) have a significant role in utilizing and implementing EBPs. For example, APNs use EBPs when
they treat patients that are often based on previous studies. They can implementate practices by promoting already established practices, and by
advocating for the benefit of their patients. In addition, APNs can research and conduct their own studies to establish EBPs that are significant and
pertinent to their specialty.
References
Bernstein J. (2015). Not the Last Word: Codman Was Right–Spread The Word. Clinical orthopaedics and related research, 473(8), 2455–2459.
https://doi.org/10.1007/s11999-015-4383-x
Butts, J. & Rich, K. (2015). Philosophies and Theories for Advanced Nursing Practice (3rd ed.). Jones and Bartlett Learning.
ISBN: 9781284112245
Li, S., Cao, M., & Zhu, X. (2019). Evidence-based practice: Knowledge, attitudes, implementation, facilitators, and barriers among community
nurses-systematic review. Medicine, 98(39), e17209. https://doi.org/10.1097/MD.0000000000017209
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