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Hannah Dinsmore posted May 9, 2023 3:22 AM
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Chien (2019) defines evidence-based practice (EBP) as utilizing the best evidence as the basis of nursing practice. In my opinion, the advantages of EBP far outweigh the disadvantages. To begin, Tappen (2016) states that the ultimate goal of evidence-based practice is to provide the best treatment possible for each of our patients and clients. Therefore, EBP affords health care providers the opportunity to evolve and individualize the care of each and every patient. By providing the best possible treatment for our patients based upon the best available and credible evidence, we can improve the care that we provide our patients. In fact, Chien (2019) states that evidence-based practice is now widely recognized as the key to improving healthcare quality and patient outcomes. If we can improve the quality of health care and in turn, improve patient outcomes, then we can reduce the cost of patient care. If used consistently, optimal patient outcomes are more likely to be achieved. In fact, according to the Betsy Lehman Center for Patient Safety (2019), investigators identified nearly 62,000 medical errors and calculated excess claim costs due to these medical errors of more than six million dollars over a twelve-
month period.
In terms of disadvantages of EBP, it may seem daunting to evaluate all of the available evidence on a subject and in reality, it is virtually impossible. In response to this, there are number of processes that have been developed to help health care providers implement EBP in the workplace (Wilson & Austria, 2021). Therefore, these processes are a method of overcoming one of the barriers to using EBP. Additionally, it may also be difficult for health care providers to abandon old practices that they have been utilizing for long periods of time. As the old saying goes, why fix what isn’t broken? However, that is exactly why EBP is necessary. Things change and we must adapt our care in response to changes. Tappen (2016) reveals that the implementation of evidence-based practice is a means for reducing dependence on intuition, unsystematic clinical observation, ungrounded opinion, ritual, and tradition. Lastly, Rosenbaum (2017) states that one of the most important questions under health insurance is the whether the terms of coverage reflect evidence-based standards of treatment. Furthermore, health insurance and evidence-based practice can be both a negative and positive.
As nurses, we strive to provide the best care possible to our patients. To do this, we must be comfortable with abandoning outdated care delivery practices in favor of effective and scientifically validated methods that strive to meet the individual needs of the patients. We know all too well that the landscape of healthcare is constantly changing, especially as new technology and knowledge constantly becomes available. Chien (2019) states that evidence from research must be accompanied by effective implementation, as well as an enabling context to achieve significant outcomes. Furthermore, a focus on EBP is an overall good thing for nursing and as evidence by the previous paragraphs, the benefits far outweigh the negatives.
References
Betsy Lehman Center for Patient Safety. (2019). The financial and human cost of medical error…and how Massachusetts can lead the way on patient safety. https://psnet.ahrq.gov/issue/financial-and-human-cost-medical-error-and-how-massachusetts-can-lead-way-patient-safety
Chien, L. Y. (2019). Evidence-based practice and nursing research. The Journal of Nursing Research, 27(4), 29. https://doi.org/10.1097/jnr.0000000000000346
Rosenbaum, S. (2017). Health insurance and coverage of evidence-based care. Public Health Reports, 132(2), 260-263. https://doi.org/10.1177/0033354916688271
Tappen, R. (2016). Advanced nursing research: From theory to practice (2nd ed.). Jones &
Bartlett.
Wilson, B., & Austria, M. J. (2021). What is evidence-based practice? Health University of Utah. https://accelerate.uofuhealth.utah.edu/improvement/what-is-evidence-based-practice