SVN...prn Winter 2015 Issue

Finding the Evidence
“EVIDENCE BASED PRACTICE” continued
Computerized decision models
that assimilate and summarize
relevant research evidence linking
it through the electronic medical
record to a patient’s situation may
be the ultimate way to improve
clinical care. Though this technique
would be ideal, many practices
don’t have access to computerized
decision models. More readily
available, however are many
resources that have already
critically evaluated research
and have compiled a summary
of the critical studies into
single documents. Examples of
assimilated and critically evaluated
research include clinical practice
guidelines, several of which have
been developed by SVN members
and can be accessed on the SVN
website. There are other examples
of pre-appraised evidence listed in
Table 2 by Vincent, et al (2015).
Table 2 (Vincent, et al 2015)
The goal of evidence based
practice is quality improvement
ensuring implementation
of best practices. Many EBP
authors stress the importance of
individualizing the evidence to
the patient and have meaningful
conversations with the patient and
other healthcare professionals.
Though many practitioners may
have busy home and practice
schedules, mastering the plethora
of evidence in the clinical literature
can be achieved through the use
of internet resources and preappraised
clinical evidence to
implement and improve clinical
practice.
References:
1. Sackett, D, Straus, S, Richardson W, et al Evidence Based Medicine: How to Practice and Teach. EBM 2nd ed, Edinburgh, Scotland: Churchill
Livingstone, 2005
2. Straus, S. Evidence-Based Medicine: How to Practice and Teach. EBM. New York, NY. Churchill Livingstone, 2005.
3. Melnyk, B, Fineout-Overbolt, E. Evidence-Based Practice in Nursing and Healthcare. 2nd Ed. Philadelphia: PA: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins,
2011.
4. Institute of Medicine. Crossing the Quality Chasm: A New Health System for the 21st Century. Washington, DC: National Academies Press:
2001.
5. Vincent, D, Hastings-Tolsma, M, Gephart, S, et al. Nurse Practitioner Clinical Decision-Making and Evidence-Based Practice. The Nurse
Practitioner, 2015, 40(5): 47-54.
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