Practical steps for evidence-based practice: putting one foot in front of the other

AACN Adv Crit Care. 2008 Jul-Sep;19(3):314-24. doi: 10.1097/01.AACN.0000330383.87507.d1.

Abstract

Evidence-based practice is a goal for all institutions and often an accreditation requirement. However, moving forward to "just do it" poses a problem for nurses in most patient care units. In spite of increased focus on evidence-based practice initiatives, creation of a systematic approach that effectively integrates the evidence for our practice into the minute-by-minute activities of patient care is still needed. In this article, the steps for accomplishing evidence-based practice in the clinical area are described, beginning with establishing a system to identify, evaluate, and prioritize clinical questions and existing research. Although conducting new, unit-based nursing research may seem a distant goal, beginning with initiatives to increase the use of existing evidence in practice is a first step to this goal, one that contributes to professional development and improved patient outcomes.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Algorithms
  • Decision Making, Organizational*
  • Decision Trees
  • Diffusion of Innovation*
  • Education, Nursing, Continuing / organization & administration
  • Evidence-Based Medicine / education
  • Evidence-Based Medicine / organization & administration*
  • Goals
  • Humans
  • Information Dissemination
  • Internet
  • Needs Assessment
  • Nursing Research / education
  • Nursing Research / organization & administration*
  • Nursing Staff, Hospital / education
  • Nursing Staff, Hospital / organization & administration*
  • Nursing Staff, Hospital / psychology
  • Organizational Objectives
  • Outcome Assessment, Health Care
  • Planning Techniques
  • Program Development
  • Research Design / standards