Evidence-Based Practice (EBP)

Evidence-Based Practice (EBP)

Evidence-based practice (EBP) utilizes the most current research available to improve patient care outcomes and patient safety while reducing overall costs and reducing variations in patient outcomes. EBP combines best practices from the latest medical literature with clinical experience. EBP empowers nurses to conduct research and find ways to integrate new findings into meaningful action regarding patient care (UMFK, 2022; Fitzpatrick, 2016).

· Clinical Information Systems (CIS) are computer-based, and their job is to gather, store and allow health care professionals to access the patient information on demand through tools such as electronic health records (EHRs). The software that provides the framework for CIS must be able to integrate all of the data considered input accurately and fast.

· EBP guides the clinical practice of the nurse or provider; how they conduct a patient assessment, what they document, and patient priorities based on clinical information they can access, such as lab results. CIS creates a safe, reliable data system where clinical information can be stored, shared between providers, and accessed by patients through portals. The patient is at the center of both EBP and CIS.

· Promoting EBP and CIS between clinicians and developers is vital to patient care outcomes. These goals can be achieved through clear communication, establishing focused goals, and standardized language. Improved software and CIS tools translate into better patient outcomes by improving efficiency, accurate information, and real-time updates. The Plan, Do, Study, Act (PDSA) framework promotes the evaluation of progress and challenges (AHRQ, 2020). The ultimate goal of each High-Reliability Organization (HRO) should be to make CIS smarter, easier to use, and improve the quality and overall efficiency of patient care (Hackl and Hoerbst, 2020).

References

Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. (2020, September). Plan-Do-Study-Act (PDSA) Directions and Examples. Retrieved April 24, 2022, from  https://www.ahrq.gov/health-literacy/improve/precautions/tool2b.html

Fitzpatrick, J. J. (2016). Distinctions Between Research, Evidence-Based Practice, and Quality Improvement. Applied Nursing Research29, 261.  https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apnr.2015.12.002