Category: Evidence based practice

Abstract

The issues of quality and patient safety have increasingly become the focus of nursing practice in contemporary society. The purpose of this paper is to highlight the significance of incorporating evidence-based practice (EBP) in nursing care. EBP involves the incorporation of scientific knowledge into care processes to enhance healthcare quality and safety. The introductory section of this essay will provide the background information regarding EBP, including the thesis statement. Part A will underscore the goal of utilizing evidence-based practice in nursing. Part B will explore the rationale for teaching students and practice nurses research methods as a prerequisite for EBP. Part C will appraise a nursing journal that illustrates how Australia is using EBP to manage the catheter-associated urinary tract infections in nursing homes. The final section (Part D) will summarize the main ideas presented in the entire paper.

The issues of quality and patient safety have increasingly become the focus of nursing practice in contemporary society. The provision of efficacious and safe care is essential to facilitate quality improvements and healthcare reforms (You et al., 2013). Evidence-based practice (EBP) has emerged as the principal prerequisite that is now driving the patient care processes. According to Polit and Beck (2008), EBP entails the incorporation of the best available research evidence into nursing decisions to optimize the caring process. Polit and Beck have argued that EBP informs clinical decisions based on scientific proof rather than personal intuitions. As such, it is imperative for every nurse to employ the evidence-based practice as the foundation for improving health care quality and enhancing clinical outcomes.

Evidence Based Practice

The transition towards EBP has played a fundamental role in bridging the quality chasm between the conventional practices and the most effective health care. One of the critical concerns of healthcare has been the irrational disparities in the delivery of care (You et al., 2013). Titler (2007) has identified these variations as the underlying risk factors for the unpredictable clinical outcomes. Thus, the EBP movement encourages all the health care professions, particularly the nurses, to integrate the best scientific knowledge of care processes (Lubejko, 2014). The EBP standardizes healthcare practices to improve quality (Finkelman & Kenner, 2013). The evidence-based practice is core to nursing care for various reasons.

Firstly, EBP has played an instrumental role in establishing the tenets of accountability both at the public and professional levels. Medication errors, coupled with the rising incidences of hospital-acquired infections (HAIs) have moved to the forefront the issues of quality and safety (Polit & Beck, 2008). Titler (2007) has found out that the traditional practices of nursing care may be harming patients inadvertently. Thus, the Institute of Medicine (IOM) has generated reports that have consistently underscored the role of evidence-based interventions in addressing these concerns. The continuous use of the untested interventions is unjustifiable in ethical terms (Finkelman & Kenner, 2013). The best available evidence is crucial because it helps the nurses to make rational decisions when developing and implementing care plans (You et al., 2013).

Secondly, EBP eliminates the unnecessary and ineffective practices that compromise the quality and safety of nursing care. Nurses have traditionally employed the trial-and-error approach when providing care to patients. Nonetheless, this methodology is not only time-consuming but it is also counter-productive (Polit & Beck, 2008). EBP has addressed these critical concerns by facilitating the process of developing the tools for managing patient care. The nurses are now using different sources of research evidence to formulate care maps, protocols, and critical pathways. The patient management tools reduce the inherent variability in nursing care and practices (Armola et al., 2009).

Thirdly, EBP supports the implementation of person-centered care in nursing practice. One of the core competencies developed by the IOM is the delivery of personalized and holistic care. Conversely, the uniqueness of individual patients may discourage nurses from using the best evidence (Finkelman & Kenner, 2013). Lubejko (2014) has acknowledged the uncertainty that is inherent in the nursing care processes. The integration of scientific evidence from these procedures quantifies these uncertainties. The uniqueness of patients mandates the caregivers to apply the best available evidence critically and appropriately (Polit & Beck, 2008).

Research Methods to Implement EBP

The effectual translation of research findings into nursing practice necessitates the systematic analysis of the scientific evidence. In practice, the EBP challenges the nurses to review the current procedures and practices critically prior to identifying the best strategies for quality improvement (Lawrence, 2007). The nurses will not always find pre-appraised literature to find quick answers to their questions. By contrast, they have to conduct either design unit-based studies or systematic reviews (Polit & Beck, 2008). This information is essential to make sound judgments concerning clinical practices and decisions (Armola et al., 2009). It is imperative for the nurses to understand research methods to implement EBP adequately.

The evidence that supports EBP is always in the form of multiple levels of quality. For instance, the research findings from randomized clinical trials (RCTs) are more superior to those from expert opinions (Lawrence, 2007). Consequently, practicing nurses must appraise the research evidence to ascertain its methodological rigor and strength before utilizing it decision-making processes. An in-depth understanding of the nursing research methods enables the nurses to grade the scientific evidence based on various components (Armola et al., 2009). These aspects include the study design and methodologies. The clinicians should also possess the requisite skills to evaluate both the benefits and risks of using the research findings (Kent & Fineout-Overholt, 2008).

The successful implementation of EBP mandates the nurses to locate the research evidence that is both reliable and valid. The initial step of this process entails the formulation of a research question. According to Lawrence (2007), research questions enable the nurses to conduct a literature search of the most relevant studies from the nursing databases. Thus, the nurses require analytical skills to identify and synthesize the best available evidence (Gallagher-Ford, 2008). Kent and Fineout-Overholt (2008) have warned clinicians against the indiscriminate use of the information published in internet sources. The sagacity of this statement is that some information may be based on personal intuitions rather than sound scientific methodologies.

The clinical research designs are crucial elements of evidence-based practice in nursing. The multiplicity of these approaches may be confusing to the majority of nurses. For instance, some clinicians may not comprehend the differences in quality between experimental and observational designs (Gallagher-Ford, 2008). Polit and Beck (2008) have indicated that the most nurses lack the self-efficacy to incorporate EBP into nursing practice. One of the barriers to the effectual use of EBP is limited training and education. Kent and Fineout-Overholt (2008) have highlighted the significance of ensuring that nursing students develop the scientific underpinnings for EBP. The introduction of continuing education enables the practicing nurses to update their skills and knowledge (Gallagher-Ford, 2008).

Utilizing EBP Around the World

Urinary tract infections (UTIs) represent one of the most severe hospital-acquired infections (HAIs) among the elderly living in residential care (Beveridge, Davey, Phillips, & McMurdo, 2011). The indwelling urinary catheters inherent in this population group increase the risk of the urinary-associated UTIs (Flanagan et al., 2014). As such, hospitals across the globe have started using evidence-based practice to improve the quality of care. Yu, Traynor, and Hailey (2014) developed a mixed method research to explore the assessment and management of urinary continence in five Australian nursing homes.

The authors identified significant differences in evaluation and management practices across the hospitals. Accordingly, Yu et al. (2014) have used the findings from their research to formulate evidence-based practices. Some of the areas that require improvements include enhanced training for effectual continence care in the Australian nursing homes and compliance with care plans. The authors have also underscored the need to improve person-centered care to facilitate the efficacious assessment and management of urinary continence. Other nursing homes across the world could also use this evidence to enhance their healing practices.

Conclusion

The demands for accountability in nursing practice have increasingly shifted focus toward patient safety and quality. As such, it is imperative for every nurse to employ the evidence-based practice (EBP) as the foundation for improving health care quality and enhancing clinical outcomes. EBP has been instrumental in EBP supports the implementation of person-centered care in nursing practice. Secondly, EBP eliminates the unnecessary and ineffective practices that compromise the quality and safety of nursing care. Thirdly, EBP has played a critical role in meeting the demands for healthcare safety and quality. Nonetheless, the successful realization of these goals requires the nurses to have sound research skills. Thus, it is essential for both the student and practice nurses to gain in-depth knowledge of research methods to implement EBP adequately.

References

Armola, R. R., Bourgault, A. M., Halm, M. A., Board, R. M., Bucher, L., Harrington, L.,& Medina, J. (2009). AACN levels of evidence: Whats new? Critical Care Nurse, 29(4), 7073.

Beveridge, L. A., Davey, P. G., Phillips, G., & McMurdo, M. E. T. (2011). Optimal management of urinary tract infections in older people. Clinical Interventions in Aging, 6, 173180.

Finkelman, A., & Kenner, C. A. (2013). Learning IOM: Implications of the IOM reports for nursing education. Washington, DC: American Nurses Association.

Flanagan, L., Roe, B., Jack, B., Shaw, C., Williams, K. S., Chung, A., & Barrett, J. (2014). Factors with the management of incontinence and promotion of continence in older people in care homes. Journal of Advanced Nursing, 70(3), 476-496.

Gallagher-Ford, L. (2008). Nurses skill level and access to evidence-based practice. The Journal of Nursing Administration, 38(11), 494503.

Kent, B., & Fineout-Overholt, E. (2008). Using meta-synthesis to facilitate evidence-based practice. Worldviews on Evidence-Based Nursing, 5(3), 160162.

Lawrence, J. (2007). Techniques for searching the CINAHL database using the EBSCO interface (Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature). AORN Journal, 85(4), 779780,782788, 790791.

Lubejko, B. G. (2014). Improving the evidence base of nursing education programs. Journal of Continuing Education in Nursing, 45(8), 336-337.

Polit, F. D., & Beck, T. C. (2008). Nursing research: Generating and assessing evidence for nursing practice. Philadelphia, PA: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.

Titler, M. (2007). Translating research into practice, models for changing clinician behavior. American Journal of Nursing, 107(6), 2633.

You, L. M., Aiken, L. H., Sloane, D. M., Liu, K., He, G. P., Hu, Y.,& Sermeus, W. (2013). Hospital nursing, care quality, and patient satisfaction: Cross-sectional surveys of nurses and patients in hospitals in China and Europe. International Journal of Nursing Studies, 50(2), 154-161.

Yu, P., Traynor, V., & Hailey, D. (2014). Urinary continence care in Australian nursing homes. Australian Journal of Advanced Nursing, 32(2), 39-46.

Although evidence-based practice (EBP) has been widely promoted and accepted by healthcare and medical care systems worldwide, there are several difficulties in implementing the new nursing approach, especially among poor and developing countries. However, this is not limited only to these countries and is also prominent in economically advanced nations. The two major issues related to EBP that prevent its effective and efficient use are tendencies of nurses to rely on traditional methods and lack of necessary equipment within the healthcare establishments.

People tend to avoid the use of new technology as it requires additional time and effort, which causes significant obstacles to successful EBP implementation. According to Mohsen et al. (2016), more than half of the study respondents reported using old and traditional nursing practices despite the introduction of new technologies (p. 28). This practice results in an inconsistent medical approach, which is varied by each nurse. Moreover, nearly 65% of surveyed stated that their full schedules do not allow for any additional time to learn and adopt the new EBP practices (Mohsen et al., 2016, p. 28). Nurses perceptions and attitudes towards the newly established approach limit the improvement of the healthcare system through EBP, which requires the most recent and valid research (Shayan et al., 2019). Another issue lies in the unequal distribution of required EBP equipment and technology among medical institutions. To make treatment individualized and standardized and minimize uncertainty, EBP should be widely adopted and practiced (Shayan et al., 2019). Unfortunately, the common difficulty is the unavailability of necessary technology that would allow for quick and prompt research and testing (Shayan et al., 2019). To resolve the two mentioned issues, systematic change and improvement have to be introduced worldwide.

EBP can significantly improve patient treatment approaches and practice. However, the problems of nurses perception towards a time-consuming transformation and unequal distribution of necessary equipment pose many difficulties and obstacles that prevent its successful adoption and use. These difficulties are not only present in developing countries but also among the advanced ones. In order to tackle these major barriers to implementing EBP in nursing, a systematic change should take place to allow for the reeducation of nurses and the provision of new technologies.

References

Mohsen, M. M., Safaan, N. A., & Okby, O. M. (2016). Nurses perceptions and barriers for adoption of evidence based practice in primary care: Bridging the gap. American Journal of Nursing Research, 4(2), 25-33.

Shayan, S. J., Kiwanuka, F. K., & Nakaye Z. (2019). Barriers associated with evidence-based practice among nurses in low- and middle- income countries: A systematic review. Worldviews on Evidence-Based Nursing, 1-9.

There is growing evidence indicating the importance of evidence-based practice within the healthcare system. In this case health providers are required to make treatment decisions based on recent research findings while supplementing it with their clinical experience. Spiritual care seeks to ensure that a patients spiritual needs are adequately addressed to ensure that they do not have a negative impact on overall wellbeing. Evidence-based practice and spiritual care are necessary to enhance the quality of life and treatment outcomes for patients.

I agree with you that evidence-based practice has played a significant role in enhancing healthcare quality and overall patient outcomes. It is a method that entails basing decisions regarding the treatment of individual patients on the findings of the most recent research and the practitioners own clinical experiences. This strategy serves to ensure that decisions made by medical experts are based on the most recent and trustworthy information that is available, and that these professionals take into account the specific requirements and preferences of each individual patient.

Spiritual care involves giving patients the opportunity to talk about and investigate their own spiritual views and values, as well as the chance to take part in religious or spiritual rituals that are significant to them (Rachel et al., 2019). Provision of spiritual care to patients helps to ensure that spiritual stress does not contribute to negative treatment outcomes. Patients who receive spiritual care may find that it is of assistance to them at challenging times and that it contributes to their overall well-being. It is essential for those working in healthcare to have an awareness of the spiritual requirements of their patients and to offer support for these requirements as part of an all-encompassing strategy for providing tailored care. Cultural and religious differences are one of the main barriers that limits nurses from offering spiritual care to their patients.

In conclusion, evidence-based practice and spiritual care are necessary to enhance the quality of life and treatment outcomes for patients. Evidence-based practice requires practitioners to rely on research findings and clinical experience when making treatment decisions. Spiritual care offered to patients while receiving actual healthcare helps to enhance treatment outcomes by eliminating spiritual stress. Nurses have a significant role to play in the provision of spiritual care to different patients in a healthcare setting.

Reference

Rachel, H., Chiara, C., Robert, K., & Francesco, S. (2019). Spiritual care in nursing: An overview of the measures used to assess spiritual care provision and related factors amongst nurses. Acta Bio Medica: Atenei Parmensis, 90(4), 44. Web.

Evidenced Based Practice (EBP), as used in healthcare, refers to the approach employed by practitioners in health centers to determine the most current, better-quality research that can be used to inform their service delivery. Nurses make use of EBP guidelines when evaluating appropriate care choice for patients. When this happens, health practitioners tend to operate from a patient-centered, holistic approach that helps them offer appropriate and desired treatment to their clients.

Although EBP significantly relies on research, it helps prioritize the needs of the patient by considering the desires of the individual client. Since focusing on the patients needs is one of the essential tenets of nursing, using EBP helps nurses continue improving patient outcomes (Wang et al., 2021). The process occurs while weighing the experiences and preferences of every patient. In addition, the practice is essential to nurses as it helps them keep their operations relevant and current. In this case, an individual nurses decision-making skills and confidence are enhanced.

Moreover, using EBP helps make desirable patient decisions, which saves nurses time. The practice allows the nurse to focus on the most relevant activity that has proved utility to the patients. For instance, initially, most of the nurses used to spend a minimum of 20 minutes every day bathing every patient and dressing them until it was established that such activities had no or little impact on the recovery of patients (Chen et al., 2020). However, it is essential to realize that these practices can be desirable in some circumstances.

In conclusion, the application of EBP in nursing helps in enhancing the outcomes of patients, individual careers of caregivers, and workplace job positions. Therefore, nurses in their practice and training should be exhilarated to learn how to make informed choices, evaluate research and offer the best care to patients. Individual research in nursing should also be shared among colleagues to encourage the spread of EBP in nursing.

References

Chen, L., Wu, Y., Zhou, C., Li, X., & Zhao, H. (2020). Value, knowledge, and implementation on evidencebased practice among nurse managers in china: A regional crosssectional survey. Journal of Nursing Management, 28(1), 139147. Web.

Wang, M., Zhang, Y. P., & Guo, M. (2021). Development of a Cadre of EvidenceBased Practice Mentors for Nurses: What Works? Worldviews on EvidenceBased Nursing, 18(1), 814. Web.

It is well known that evidence-based practice (EBP) is an indispensable part of health care and plays a critical role in reducing practical variability, enhancing health care quality, perfecting the health care system, improving patients outcomes, and decreasing costs (Fu et al., 2020). It is proved by multiple researchers, such as, for example, Fu, Su, Soll, and McGuire, that long-term use of evidence-based practice is necessary. Therefore, the main goal is to implement those principles correctly to maximize the success of such an endeavor.

First, challenges in integrating guidelines on medical practice to improve the quality of treatment are quite easy to solve by increasing the professional motivation of nurses. This can be done by providing evidence-based practice incentives. Indeed, such innovations may require quite detailed knowledge of how individual services are structured, delivered, and evaluated, how decisions are made and implemented, and which barriers and incentives to better care provision exist (Soll & McGuire, 2019). Therefore, stimulating the work of caregivers can be an effective way of providing medical transformation and development.

Second, problems in translating research into practice and dynamic changes in institutional culture can also be potential obstacles to achieving the best possible outcomes of the aforementioned practice. Multidisciplinary cooperation between healthcare professionals is crucial to reduce workload and facilitate knowledge transfer, particularly to newly-occupied nurses. The key components of quality improvement that target perinatal healthcare systems and providers include staffing changes, audit and feedback cycles, clinician reminders, and educational outreach by experts or local opinion leaders. Hence, interactive educational meetings and games, the use of computerized reminders, and service user education can be useful in implementing new principles of medical care.

In addition, nurses evidence-based practice competency is one of the preconditions for better evidence-based practice implementation. Multifaceted initiatives within network-based collaborative quality improvement programs facilitate continuous audit and benchmarking cycles to ensure equity of access to evidence-based care practices. Evidence-based practice is the conscientious, explicit, judicious, and reasonable use of current evidence in making decisions about the care of populations or individuals. It integrates clinical experience with peoples values and the best available research information.

References

Fu, L., Su, W., Ye, X., Li, M., Shen, J., Chen, C.,& & He, Y. (2020). Evidence-Based Practice Competency and Related Factors Among Nurses Working in Public Hospitals. The Journal of Health Care Organization, Provision, and Financing, 57.

Soll, R. F., & McGuire, W. (2019). Evidence-based practice: Improving the quality of perinatal care. Neonatology, 116(3), 193-198.

Introduction

Evidence-based practice (EBP) is an approach to healthcare that involves making decisions about patient care based on the best available evidence. In order to engage in EBP, healthcare professionals need access to relevant and reliable sources of information. A critical source of information is databases, which can be used to find and retrieve studies, guidelines, and other types of evidence.

Effective communication strategies are crucial in encouraging nurses to conduct research and make evidence-based diagnoses. One key strategy is to lead by example. By actively participating in research activities and sharing the results with the nursing staff, nurses will see the importance and value of conducting research (Cullen & Sigma Theta Tau International, 2018). Another important strategy is to provide education and training opportunities (Howlett et al., 2021). Workshops, seminars, and other training opportunities that focus on the importance of research and how to conduct it effectively can help nurses feel more confident in their ability to conduct research.

Additionally, these databases are not the only ones available for EBP, and it might be beneficial for the new hire nurse to explore other databases such as UpToDate, ClinicalKey, or ClinicalTrials.gov. It is also essential for the new hire nurse to familiarize themselves with the different types of evidence, such as systematic reviews, randomized controlled trials, and observational studies, and understand their strengths and limitations (Rogers & Darbyshire, 2019). This will help them to critically evaluate the evidence they find and make more informed decisions about patient care.

In order to stay current, the new hire nurse should make a habit of regularly searching these databases to find the latest evidence and guidelines in hypertension and other relevant diagnoses. Besides that, those materials also include specific amount of key steps in the procedure of treatment and diagnosis, making them one of the best in the hypertension cure. Its also helpful to keep track of any alerts or subscriptions set up in these databases. Finally, its important to note that these databases should be used in conjunction with other sources of information, such as guidelines from professional organizations and consultations with colleagues and other healthcare professionals (Rogers & Darbyshire, 2019). Also, in order to find all the necessary data on this topic, it is essential to pay attention to academic studies and related sources. The more deeply disclose the problem touched upon in this work, as well as analyze the data obtained in the course of the research work. A striking example of such works is the list of references used in writing this work, the indicators of which are at the end in the relevant section. By utilizing all of these resources, the new hire nurse will be better equipped to engage in EBP and provide high-quality patient care.

The Resource Database

PubMed

PubMed is a free database that provides access to over 29 million citations for biomedical literature, including journal articles, reviews, and guidelines. PubMed is maintained by the National Library of Medicine (NLM) and can be searched using keywords or MeSH (Medical Subject Headings) terms.

One of the main advantages of PubMed is its broad coverage of the biomedical literature, which makes it an excellent starting point for searching for evidence on a particular topic. PubMed is also updated on a daily basis, ensuring that the information is current. In addition to searching for articles, users can also save their search strategies, set up alerts, and access a variety of other features that can help to make the search process more efficient.

Cochrane Library

The Cochrane Library is a collection of high-quality, independent, evidence-based reviews of the effectiveness of healthcare interventions. The Cochrane Library is owned by the Cochrane Collaboration, an international organization that aims to promote evidence-based healthcare. The Cochrane Library is made of several databases, including the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews (CDSR), with over 7,000 systematic reviews of different interventions. One of the main advantages of the Cochrane Library is that the reviews are conducted by teams of independent researchers, which helps to ensure the accuracy and completeness of the information. Another advantage is that the assessments are regularly updated to take into account new evidence, which helps to keep the information current.

TRIP Database

The TRIP Database is a clinical search engine that provides users with an oportunity to find and retrieve information from a vast amount sources, such as journal articles and systematic reviews. The TRIP Database is produced by a UK-based company and can be searched using keywords or Boolean operators. One of the critical features of the TRIP Database is its comprehensive coverage of sources, which makes it an excellent starting point for searching for evidence on a particular topic. The TRIP Database provides the users with the ability to filter search results by level of proof, date of publication, and other criteria.

DynaMed

DynaMed is a clinical reference tool that provides point-of-care information on a wide range of medical topics. DynaMed is produced by the evidence-based medicine resource provider EBSCO, and it is updated daily with new evidence. One of the main pluses of DynaMed is that it provides summaries of the most recent and clinically relevant evidence for each topic. It also includes links to the full text of the original studies. DynaMeds search and filtering system also allow users to find the most relevant and current information easily.

Conclusion

In conclusion, as a healthcare professional, engaging in EBP requires access to relevant and reliable sources of information. Databases such as PubMed, Cochrane Library, TRIP Database, and DynaMed can be valuable resources for finding and retrieving the best options available. Using those resources is helpful for many people, especially professionals, who need to minimize the time necessary for the search and choice of the required database.

References

Cullen, L., & Sigma Theta Tau International. (2018). Evidence-based practice in action : comprehensive strategies, tools, and tips from the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics. Sigma Theta Tau International.

Howlett, B., Rogo, E. J., & Teresa Gabiola Shelton. (2021). Evidence based practice for health professionals: An interprofessional approach. Jones & Bartlett Learning.

Rogers, M., & Darbyshire, P. (2019). The EBP lockout. What clinicians need to put the E into EBP. Journal of Clinical Nursing. Web.

What is the PICOT question?

In a twenty-year-old patient (P), does the use of narcotics (I) compared to alternative methods of pain relief (C), lead to less addiction (O) over the course of one year?

Define each element of the question below:

• P (Patient, population, or problem): twenty-year-old patient
• I (Intervention): the use of narcotics for treating pain
• C (Comparison with other treatment/current practice): alternative methods of pain relief such as meditation and acupuncture may be a better option
• O (Desired outcome): a decrease in the number of patients readmitted for pain control
• T (Time Frame): one year

What is the practice issue/problem? What is the scope of the issue? What is the need for change?

Use of such narcotics as morphine and opium to relief pain may lead to addiction within a short period of time. Usually such drugs are prescribed to relief pain in patient with cancer and other serious disorders. It is also believed that a significant number of people prefer alternative medicine in various forms to manage pain. Although, alternative medicine is not so effective as pain-killers, it is more compatible for young adults to prevent and decrease addiction. Physicians tend to recommend alternative therapies such as mind-body therapy and acupuncture to the patients who are classified to be in the group of potential risk to be addicted to medicines.

What is the practice area?

• Clinical
• Education

How was the practice issue identified?

• Safety/risk management concerns
• Unsatisfactory patient outcomes
• Difference between hospital and community practice

What evidence must be gathered?

For the given research, appropriate scholar articles and evidence-based studies should be reviewed, as well as main trends in alternative medicine dealing with managing pain. Detailed review of alternative techniques should be conducted. The guidelines for using alternative techniques should be studied as well to detect their advantages and disadvantages. The opinion of experts should be included into this research to prove the effectiveness of the suggested techniques. Clinical expertise should be included to show the main trends in drug addiction caused by using medications for managing pain among young adults.

• Literature search
• Guidelines
• Expert Opinion
• Clinical Expertise

Search terms/How to narrow the search?

To narrow the search, such key words should be used: alternative medicine, drug addiction, medicine to relief pain, mind-body therapy.

The search should be conducted by using multiple databases and finding scientific evidence-based articles for the last five years, searching phrase should be clear, quotation marks for a phrase should be used to narrow the research.

Abstract

In the current essay, an evaluation plan is developed for the final evidence-based practice project. The present paper consists of several parts to provide a comprehensive and concise piece of writing. First of all, the rationale for the methods used in collecting the outcome data is described. Secondly, how the outcome measures evaluate the extent to which the project objectives are achieved are discussed. Thirdly, it is presented how the outcomes will be measured and evaluated based on the evidence, and validity, reliability, and applicability are addressed. Fourthly, strategies to take if outcomes do not provide positive results are discussed. Lastly, implications for practice and future research are evaluated and presented.

Rationale for Methods

The rationale for selecting the methods and instruments for the current PICOT project is concerned with the need to collect data on patients physiological parameters and their correlation with their daily tablet intake. A survey is a convenient method of data collection that would be easy to implement regularly, without taking too much time from the participants and researchers schedules (Jones, Baxter, & Khanduja, 2013). Surveys are more direct compared with interpreting usage data and are less costly and time-consuming in the long run.

Outcome Measures

Outcome measures represent tools for assessing the current status of patients and provide a score, and interpretation of results. Therefore, before introducing an intervention, and outcome measures will be used for providing baseline data (Krasny-Pacini & Evans, 2018). Once the intervention has begun, the same tool will be used in a series of consistent assessments to determine whether any progress is taking place among the patients. With the results obtained with the help of outcome measures, it is possible to conduct an aggregated analysis that would be focused on determining the quality of care. Self-reported measures and clinician-reported measures apply in the current scenario. The self-report measures will be captured with the help of a survey in which the participants would reflect on their personal experiences with taking medication while the clinician-reported measures are concerned with assessing the impact of medication on the improved well-being of the study participants.

Measuring and Evaluating Outcomes: Validity, Reliability, Applicability

Validity is achieved when the scores from a measure represent the variable they were intended to represent. To ensure study validity, the selected sample should be randomized when possible, the size of the sample should be appropriate, and the study should be completed by researchers that have no interest in seeking particular results. Reliability refers to the consistency of research across time, items, and researchers. To enhance reliability in the present research, it is necessary to implement the calculation of internal consistency (Taber, 2018). For instance, when conducting the survey, it is recommended to include some questions that would have the same focus. Applicability is associated with the extent to which the results of a study are likely to impact the general practice. Assessing the applicability of the current project is possible through recommending procedures, and program planners can use them for adapting evidence-based interventions and integrating them into future clinical practice.

Strategies to Take When Outcomes Do Not Provide Positive Results

If the outcome measures do not provide positive results, it is possible that the implemented methodology was ineffective, and a new one should have to be carried out, which means that the study would be implemented from the start. An evaluation of the methodology should be put in place to identify limitations that have hindered research outcomes. In a new study, the focus should be placed on ensuring that the research is patient-centered. Further planning is needed to provide care that would not vary through quality predominantly because of the range of issues that emerge in the course of an intervention. Therefore, the main strategy is changing the methodological framework to handle the problems that did not allow for the reaching of positive results. It is also possible to implement a similar study with a different sample and control group if there was an issue with the sample.

Implications for Practice

The research presents vast opportunities for being applied in future practice. In the light of professional, financial, and research factors, there is a need for improving the health outcomes of the aging population. As hypertension is a severe issue that adversely affects the well-being of older individuals, a compressive intervention is needed. The current project aimed to address the issue by establishing consistent adherence to antihypertension drugs. The project studies both patient self-management and the clinical aspect of care. Therefore, implications for future practice must consider the patient education component that would support the use of medication prescribed to individuals by their healthcare providers. The study can be reproduced in the context of other healthcare issues because of the need to inform patients about the importance of their self-monitoring and self-management when adhering to a specific care regimen. Overall, there is a need to empower patients to actively participate in their care to make the process reciprocal and as effective as possible.

References

Jones, T. L., Baxter, M. A., & Khanduja, V. (2013). A quick guide to survey research. Annals of the Royal College of Surgeons of England, 95(1), 5-7.

Krasny-Pacini, A., & Evans, J. (2018). Single-case experimental designs to assess intervention effectiveness in rehabilitation: A practical guide. Annals of Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine, 61(3), 164-179.

Taber, K. (2018). The use of Cronbachs alpha when developing and reporting research instruments in science education. Research in Science Education, 48, 1273-1296.

With the development of medical services, many different institutions have appeared that provide medical services to people. Hence, the two main types of such organizations are clinics and hospitals. The main conditions, in addition to the work schedule and funding sources, are conditions and methods of treatment due to differences in their nature. Thus, this scientific work aims to discern the difference between a hospital and a clinic to determine where the best medical care is provided.

Thus, to determine which of the two institutions provides the best services for improving and protecting peoples health, it is necessary to consider their distinctive aspects. This study will use a block method of reviewing organizations to do this. The first is the hospital, which is often a public sector building, in some cases a private one. This medical institution is characterized by the presence of highly trained and organized medical personnel. In addition, it is an inpatient facility and provides medical and nursing services.

Hospitals are often funded by the State and, in some cases, by the private sector. Moreover, these institutions are divided depending on the services provided, which is a positive aspect. Thus, people can apply to a general hospital that treats diseases and injuries. In addition, they have separate emergency departments for emergency and urgent cases. There are also childrens diseases, traumatology, rehabilitation, and others, which provide a variety for patients, and they do not have to go to one building. Another difference between a hospital and a clinic is that it is run mainly by professional doctors, surgeons, and nurses. Thus, due to their experience, they have a clear understanding of the healthcare industry and can make more informed and correct decisions. Additionally, hospitals accept both inpatient and outpatient patients. All these patients who stay in the hospital for a long time are placed in wards that are monitored by the medical staff of the organization.

The high quality of services provided in hospitals, as it employs qualified workers and uses new equipment, can also be taken into consideration. However, this factor is not applicable to every state medical institution. In some cities, due to insufficient funding, hospitals may not meet professional and quality standards. Thus, the indicators of the level of services provided are decreasing, which helps to determine the fact that the care of patients in the hospital is worse than in clinics.

The next step is to consider such a medical organization as a clinic. This institution is mainly focused on providing outpatient care to the population, which distinguishes them from the hospital. Clinics, as well as hospitals, can be privately or publicly funded. In conception, clinical organizations are much smaller than hospitals, and management is taken over by a general practitioner. The mode of operation of such institutions is organic by the time frame, unlike a hospital. Thus, we can only partially say that clinics provide emergency and emergency care.

In addition, clinics and hospitals are similar in the fact that they provide medical care, examination, or consultations without an organization. Outpatient treatment in such a medical institution implies diagnosis, treatment, or therapy. Thus, it is similar to a hospital in that it is a hospital department where a doctor comes to talk to people about their standardized (Laura et al. 5). This is due to the presence of public holidays. There may be some differences depending on the clinic or role, but it provides a more traditional work schedule. Moreover, the critical point is that the clinics have a more family and friendly atmosphere than their hospital colleagues. This is due to the fact that the patients will be more loyal and better tuned, which will contribute to an increase in the level of the locality. One of the main drawbacks is lower wages compared to hospitals.

The advantage of the clinic over the hospital is that the nurses work schedule is secure. This is due to the presence of public holidays which are considered to be holidays. There may be some differences depending on the clinic or role, but it provides a more traditional work schedule. Moreover, the critical point is that the clinics have a more family and friendly atmosphere than their hospital colleagues. This is due to the fact that the patients will be more loyal and better tuned, which will contribute to an increase in the level of the locality. One of the main drawbacks is lower wages compared to hospitals.

Therefore, it is possible to summarize all of the above aspects that distinguish a hospital from a clinic. Thus, the first institution treats both inpatient and outpatient patients, while the clinic is much smaller in size and is focused more on outpatient patients care. In addition, the clinics do not have an emergency department, which is critical for the life of any patient. Although hospitals can also provide outpatient services, they are more focused on inpatient care. Moreover, at the moment, there are many types of hospitals that deal with specialized cases, surgery, or more serious, life-threatening conditions.

It is difficult to determine which medical institution provides the best customer care services. Hospitals can be more efficient because, due to their large size, they can provide completely different care. Moreover, the large staff of the hospital implies the possibility for patients to receive full consultation and treatment. The clinic, which is based on outpatient clients, provides high-quality care at a high level. However, they still remain small, limiting peoples access to services. Thus, it can be said that hospitals benefit from clinics in terms of devices and organization.

Works Cited

Cullen, Laura, et al. Evidence-based practice in action: Comprehensive strategies, tools, and tips from the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics. Sigma Theta Tau, 2017.

An evidence-based practice process emerges with a clinical question and proceeds to search and critically appraise the evidence. In the defined PICOT question, the necessary change is concerned with the need to reduce BMI measures in school-aged children. However, it may be limited by a nursing practice problem of low nursing staffing impact on the quality of healthcare and patient outcomes. Therefore, to implement an exercise program for school-aged children, it is necessary to ensure that there are appropriate staffing levels and that there are enough professionals to oversee the program. At present, low nurse staffing rates are concerned with the increased reports of missed care, with chronic illnesses often being left unnoticed because they are not urgent (Mensik & Nickitas, 2015). Childhood overweight and obesity are concerning chronic issues that require the attention of healthcare personnel, and the high load on the practice setting reduces the capacity of the system to address recurring health problems.

Research evidence points to the direct correlation between nurse staffing and patient outcomes. As suggested by Zimmerman and Pfaff (2018), the weight loss of nursing home residents was directly associated with staffing levels, with higher staffing leading to better outcomes. Cho et al. (2020) also found that insufficient staffing led to missed activities of nursing care, thus resulting in inadequate patient health. Therefore, an evidence-based practice change is concerned with the need to increase staffing levels to ensure that there are enough professionals available to oversee the implementation of an intervention for school-aged children. Investing in personnel training and incentivizing staff through performance-based rewards represent evidence-based practice changes that may be introduced within a practice setting.

References

Mensik, J., & Nickitas, D. M. (2015). Why nurse staffing matters: A moral imperative. Nursing Economic$, 33(3), 186-187.

Cho, SH, Lee, JY, You, SJ, Song, KJ, Hong, KJ. (2020). Nurse staffing, nurses prioritization, missed care, quality of nursing care, and nurse outcomes. International Journal of Nursing Practice, 26, e12803.

Zimmermann J, Pfaff H (2018). Influence of nurse staffing levels on resident weight loss within German nursing homes. Research in Gerontological Nursing, 11(1), 48-56