SHN2004 (Acute Care) – Evidence Based Practice
Evidence Based Practice
Aims and Objectives
Define evidence-based practice (EBP)
Understand the pros and cons of EBP
Consider why acute care needs to be evidence based
What do nurses need to do to practice effectively?
What do you as a nurse draw on when making decisions when it comes to caring for
a patient?
Clinical Evidence
o Gives us informed evidence on which to base our practice allows us to
provide a reason or justification for why you acted in a certain manner (e.g.
research, policy, guidelines
o Using the best available evidence to provide the best care for a patient
o This needs to be:
Robust
i.e. peer-reviewed
Up-to-date
Consider how long ago it was published
Treatments and procedures change over time (sometimes in
quite a short period of time)
o E.g. Mastectomies was once the predominate way in
which to treat breast cancer however now it is a last
resort other treatment forms or localised lump
removal
Evaluated
What is the evidence that this is the best way to practice
Anecdotal evidence can be used but it should not be used
solely to guide our actions
Individual expertise
o This is essentially clinical judgement – this can help us determined if the
available evidence should be applied to a particular patient given their
individual circumstances
Using evidence without judgement leads to rigid care
Takes into account the context of care and the individual
needs/background of the patient
E.g. NEWS Charts can contribute to early recognition of
deterioration of patient
o Normal respiratory rate = between 12-20 breaths per
minute
1
Evidence Based Practice
Aims and Objectives
Define evidence-based practice (EBP)
Understand the pros and cons of EBP
Consider why acute care needs to be evidence based
What do nurses need to do to practice effectively?
What do you as a nurse draw on when making decisions when it comes to caring for
a patient?
Clinical Evidence
o Gives us informed evidence on which to base our practice allows us to
provide a reason or justification for why you acted in a certain manner (e.g.
research, policy, guidelines
o Using the best available evidence to provide the best care for a patient
o This needs to be:
Robust
i.e. peer-reviewed
Up-to-date
Consider how long ago it was published
Treatments and procedures change over time (sometimes in
quite a short period of time)
o E.g. Mastectomies was once the predominate way in
which to treat breast cancer however now it is a last
resort other treatment forms or localised lump
removal
Evaluated
What is the evidence that this is the best way to practice
Anecdotal evidence can be used but it should not be used
solely to guide our actions
Individual expertise
o This is essentially clinical judgement – this can help us determined if the
available evidence should be applied to a particular patient given their
individual circumstances
Using evidence without judgement leads to rigid care
Takes into account the context of care and the individual
needs/background of the patient
E.g. NEWS Charts can contribute to early recognition of
deterioration of patient
o Normal respiratory rate = between 12-20 breaths per
minute
1
