Posted: February 2nd, 2023

Implementation of evidence-based practice (EBP)

Share an example from your nursing practice setting of how a decision was made to change a procedure or practice.
What steps were used in the decision-making process?
What evidence was considered for decision-making?
Was the change effective? Provide rationale.
Submission Instructions:
Your initial post should be at least 500 words, formatted and cited in the current APA style with support from at least 2 academic sources. Your initial post is worth 8 points.
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One example of a decision-making process in a healthcare setting is the implementation of evidence-based practice (EBP). EBP is a problem-solving approach to clinical decision making that involves the integration of the best available evidence, clinical expertise, and patient values and preferences (Sackett, Straus, Richardson, Rosenberg, & Haynes, 2000). The steps involved in the decision-making process of EBP include:

Identifying a clinical problem or question.
Searching for and critically appraising the best available evidence.
Integrating the evidence with clinical expertise and patient values and preferences.
Evaluating the outcomes of the decision and making changes as needed.
In terms of considering evidence for decision-making, healthcare providers may consider a variety of sources, including peer-reviewed articles, systematic reviews, and clinical guidelines. The strength of the evidence, the quality of the study design, and the applicability to the patient’s unique situation are all important factors in evaluating the evidence and making decisions.

An example of a change in procedure or practice in a nursing setting could be the switch from traditional wound dressings to using negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT). The decision to make this change was based on a review of the available evidence, which indicated that NPWT was more effective in promoting wound healing and reducing the risk of infection compared to traditional dressings (Dowsett & Cutting, 2011).

The change was effective as evidenced by improved wound healing and reduced risk of infection in patients who received NPWT. Patients also reported higher levels of satisfaction with the NPWT procedure compared to traditional dressings. The rationale for the change was based on the availability of strong evidence indicating that NPWT was more effective in promoting wound healing and reducing the risk of infection.

The decision-making process in a healthcare setting, particularly in the implementation of EBP, is a systematic and evidence-based approach that involves the integration of the best available evidence, clinical expertise, and patient values and preferences. The change from traditional wound dressings to NPWT was effective as evidenced by improved patient outcomes and higher levels of satisfaction.

References:
Dowsett, C., & Cutting, K. (2011). The role of negative pressure wound therapy in wound healing. British Journal of Nursing, 20(18), 1176-1182.
Sackett, D. L., Straus, S. E., Richardson, W. S., Rosenberg, W., & Haynes, R. B. (2000). Evidence-based medicine: How to practice and teach EBM. London: Churchill Livingstone.