EBP Replies

Please reply to my classmate 150 words and one reference each

Post 1

Research and evidence-based practice is an important aspect of professional nursing as it aids nurses in making well rounded decisions when it comes to their patient’s care. Providing information to nurses regarding changing protocols and practices is crucial in guiding the profession of nursing and ensuring the best outcomes for patients. It provides evidence for new practices that prove more efficient and cost-effective for patients as well as create a safer environment for patients and staff. It is important for nurses to remain educated and up to date on new practices and these practices should have the evidence to back them, which is why research is so imperative.

For instance, maintaining a low CAUTI rate in our hospital is an important patient outcome that requires attention to the practices surrounding implementation and maintenance of foley catheters. Ensuring that evidence-based practice in regards to examining when foleys are required, how long they should remain in place, and other alternative devices that can be utilized in place of them are critical elements to decrease the number of CAUTI instances in the hospital setting. Russell et al. (2019) state that in situations regarding CAUTI, the lack  of evidence based practice and continuous assessment of indwelling catheters leads to a 5% risk increase for each day the catheter remains in place.

In regard to conducting an evidence-based practice initiative, I would address the topic of whether or not bedside shift reports help in overall patient care and outcomes. I find that in the emergency department, nurses are often quick to hand off their patients at the nurse’s station and give a quick report, often times leaving out pertinent information that they may be reminded of if report was done at the bedside with the patient in front of them. This also provides an opportunity for the patient to be involved in the plan of care for the remainder of their stay. In order to guide this initiative, I would use Jean Watson’s Theory of Human Caring as it emphasizes the importance of attention to the patient ensuring that their care is holistic in that it incorporates personal interactions with the patient. Implementing bedside shift report is one tool in which the nurse can show their genuine care and personal interest in their patients allowing the patient to feel more involved and empowered by being a part of their own care.

2-Post 2

Please reply to my classmate Post 150 words and one reference each

Research and evidence-based practice are important in the nursing profession because it provides nurses with factual based studies and the best evidence to back decisions and changes that need to be made to achieve the best patient care and outcomes.  EBP provides a framework that integrates patient’s preferences and values, researches evidence, and when implemented the results have shown major advances in improving the quality and delivery of patient care (Albarqouni et al., 2018).

Research and EBP impact the quality and safety in healthcare by providing factual information which can be implemented to improve patient outcomes, decrease resources, and save an organization money, as well as determining what interventions may be outdated and can be replaced with more improved techniques and procedures.  EBP helps to standardize practices to strive in providing the best possible care, in any nursing practice, and not only to the patients, but also to the staff of organizations.

A recent example of where research and EBP played a part in my current practice of school nursing was when one of our nurses retired.  Administration wanted to replace her with an LPN or not fill the position at all.  An LPN would be suitable if supervision was near by, but not with the shortages or the COVID measures/protocol and reporting that were currently needed.  School nurses took on many different roles this past year and we were spread very thin with no coverage.  The nurses had to ban together and prove that an RN would be a better suited choice with the shortage of substitute nurses, the increasing acuity and volume of students, and the need for an RN’s critical thinking and assessment skills during emergency/crisis situations.  Research of current state education and school nurse policy was also needed. We all contributed to doing some of the research.  Administration just wanted to save money, our nurse liaison gathered the research and presented the EBP and they ended up hiring an experienced RN.

If I was to conduct an EBP initiative right now, I would address nurse burnout/stress management and the impact on patient outcomes.  As the COVID pandemic has put much demand on our healthcare workers, now would be the best time to prepare nurses, find improved solutions, and prevent burnout and manage stress in crisis situations.  We would be able to distinguish what was experienced, and what may or may not have worked during the pandemic.  Nurses have been through a lot this year and I feel this is a good time to document what was learned.

The theoretical framework that I would use to guide the EBP would be Martha Roger’s Theory of Unitary Human Beings.  Roger’s believe that humans and their environments are a single unit and should be studied as such.  According to Koffi & Fawcett (2016), Roger’s work allowed nurses to articulate or express in a scientific way their emotions about their own professional activities.  In my opinion, the connection between nurses, their environment, and their patients substantiates this theory.  Nurses need to take care of themselves in order to care for others.

References