Evidence-Based Practice in Nursing

In my last clinical placement, I was able to witness how evidence-based practice (EBP) was successfully used to manage patients with hypertension. The medical staff relied on the recent clinical guidelines, and they promoted a combination of lifestyle modifications and pharmacologic treatments (Carey et al., 2021). These research-based guidelines were effective in lowering the level of blood pressure among patients: Evidence-Based Practice in Nursing.

This approach proved effective, as indicated by improved patient outcomes in that they became more adherent to treatment plans, and there was a reduction in cardiovascular events. Application of up-to-date research findings into practice resulted in not only improved patient care but also better long-term health outcomes.

On the contrary, I also encountered a situation when EBP was underutilized, specifically in postoperative pain management. Even though, according to Bushnell et al. (2021), the use of multimodal pain management techniques, including the use of non-pharmacological treatment options like music therapy and physical therapy, is effective, the nursing staff resorted to opioid drugs as the primary course of action. The practice resulted in suboptimal patient outcomes, with a significant proportion of patients still reporting ineffective pain management and fearing opioid addiction. The absence of EBP in this setting prevented the opportunity for a more balanced and effective plan of pain management.

Integration of evidence-based practices, including the application of non-pharmacological management methods of pain in addition to any pharmacological intervention, would make a huge difference. Studies have continued to demonstrate that multimodal treatment is more effective in treating pain with minimal risks than opioid use (Dey & Vrooman, 2022). EBP allows nurses to deliver more individualized, holistic care, guaranteeing improved patient satisfaction and decreasing the potential of adverse outcomes. This proves that there should be a consistent emphasis on EBP in order to improve the quality and safety of nursing practice.

References

Bushnell, M. C., Frangos, E., & Madian, N. (2021). Non-pharmacological treatment of pain: Grand challenge and future opportunities. Frontiers in Pain Research, 2(2). https://doi.org/10.3389/fpain.2021.696783

Carey, R. M., Wright, J. T., Taler, S. J., & Whelton, P. K. (2021). Guideline-driven management of hypertension: An evidence-based update. Circulation Research, 128(7), 827–846. https://doi.org/10.1161/circresaha.121.318083

Dey, S., & Vrooman, B. M. (2022). Alternatives to opioids for managing pain. PubMed; StatPearls Publishing. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK574543/

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BLOG: OBSERVATION OF EBP
As a DNP-prepared nurse, you will have a significant voice in your healthcare setting to advocate for evidence-based practice (EBP). Understanding how evidence can inform better nursing care and improve patient outcomes is fundamental to successful advocacy.

Blogs help facilitate a meaningful and more informal classroom environment—one that fosters dialogue, interaction, and the dissemination of ideas in a functional platform (Kuo et al., 2017). Blogs also promote community building and a collaborative learning approach through the sharing of ideas. Although this blog may function somewhat like a Discussion, its aim is to be more open ended and informal in terms of sharing perspectives, thoughts, and experiences on a given prompt.

For this Blog entry, you will observe a healthcare organization with which you work currently (or if that is not possible, an organization with which you worked previously) to identify examples of EBP, as well as examples for which EBP is needed.

Resources

• Be sure to review the Learning Resources before completing this activity.
• Click the weekly resources link to access the resources (SEE ATTACHED).
  

  Evidence-Based Practice in Nursing

To Prepare

• Review the Learning Resources for this week related to EBP.
• Consider the conditions that support EBP within healthcare organizations.
• Observe a healthcare organization with which you work currently (or if that is not possible, an organization with which you worked previously) to identify examples of EBP that have been successful.
• Observe a healthcare organization with which you work currently (or if that is not possible, an organization with which you worked previously) to identify examples of nursing practices that lack an evidence base and have been less than successful.

Note: Be sure to review the grading rubric for this Blog so you fully understand what is expected of you (SEE ATTACHED). 

By Day 3 Of Week 4
Address the following in your Blog entry:

• Describe one example you observed in which evidence-based practice (EBP) has been utilized. Explain why it has been successful.
• Describe one example you observed in which EBP has not been utilized. Explain why it has not been successful. Then, explain how utilizing evidence could help make the nursing practice more successful.