NURS FPX 5005 Assessment 3 Evidence-based Practice in Nursing

Name

Capella University

NURS-FPX 5005 Introduction to Nursing Research, Ethics, and Technology

Prof. Name

Date

Evidence-Based Practice Application

Nurses spend a substantial amount of their time critically analyzing and assessing the quality of patient care. Within the dynamic and ever-evolving healthcare environment, nurses must continually adjust to the changing needs of patients and stay informed of advancements in medicine, treatments, and the latest research. The structured approach used to review innovations, best practices, and new literature to improve patient care is referred to as Evidence-Based Practice (EBP).

EBP integrates external evidence, clinical expertise, patient values, and critical evaluation. Any new nursing practice or approach is assessed based on external evidence, professional experience, and patient feedback. External evidence includes validated clinical research and updated literature, while personal experience is shaped by hands-on proficiency gained through patient care (Alatawi et al., 2020).

Analysis of Criteria and Process for Implementing EBP

Nurses frequently encounter recurring problems in their day-to-day responsibilities that can be solved with prior experience. However, they sometimes face new challenges that require further investigation. The Evidence-Based Practice (EBP) process, which addresses such issues, consists of four essential steps:

Assessment of the patient’s clinical issue.
A thorough review of related and reliable literature.
Appraisal of relevant studies and articles.
Implementation and dissemination of the collected information.

Initially, nurses gather data based on preliminary assessments or diagnoses to create a clinical problem statement, which serves as a foundation for literature searches. The search includes related studies, journal articles, and other resources. The reliability and credibility of these sources are rigorously evaluated due to the continuous evolution of medical practices. Once the literature review is completed, nurses implement the treatment protocols that have been identified as appropriate (Alatawi et al., 2020).

Barriers to EBP Implementation

According to Alatawi et al. (2020), barriers to implementing EBP can be both individual and organizational. Individual barriers are related to the competence of healthcare providers, including their experience and attitudes. In some cases, effective communication is essential for nurses to understand the needs of patients who are unable to express their concerns. Organizational barriers often involve budget limitations and resource allocation within healthcare institutions, which impact the organization’s ability to prioritize optimal patient care. Modifications to clinical practices within an organization may raise issues related to budget constraints, database access, and logistical considerations.

Importance of Scholarship in EBP Research

Solving complex healthcare issues requires considerable time and resources, often beyond the capacity of individual nurses. Programs like Magnet® support evidence-based nursing practice and research (Wentland & Hinderer, 2020). Clinical nurses contribute significantly to problem-focused research and scholarship, which in turn supports staff development and enhances healthcare capabilities (Whalen et al., 2020).

Inclusion and Exclusion Criteria in EBP

As Saunders et al. (2019) highlighted, the criteria for conducting evidence-based nursing research include addressing biases during literature selection, evaluating the methodological quality of studies, and focusing on various outcomes.

In a study conducted by Speroni et al. (2020), 127 out of 181 nursing research leaders from Magnet-recognized hospitals across the U.S. revealed that over 90% of these hospitals utilized the EBP model, with the Iowa Model of Evidence-Based Practice being the most common. EBP has shown to improve patient care while fostering a supportive work environment for nurses.

The clinical question posed is: “Which interventions, along with patient care technologies, control fever based on EBP in the ICU?”

Chiwaula et al. (2021) introduced the Iowa Model of Evidence-Based Practice at Kamuzu Central Hospital’s ICU to address fever management. Given the vulnerability of ICU patients, discrepancies in fever management protocols warranted the use of temperature monitoring devices with connected sensors. This technological intervention enabled frontline nurses to manage the ICU more effectively, ensuring optimal patient care.

Knowledge Gap in Study

A notable knowledge gap in Chiwaula et al. (2021) was the issue of patient consent. Many ICU patients were unconscious, making it impossible to obtain their consent. Since EBP is heavily reliant on patient feedback, this remains a significant area of uncertainty.

EBP offers substantial value to patients with specific conditions. However, patient circumstances and symptoms can vary, and it is critical to tailor EBP guidelines to align with individual patient needs (Chiwaula et al., 2021).

Ethical and Regulatory Concerns in EBP

Ethical concerns, such as maintaining patient confidentiality and adhering to ethical codes, require full disclosure to patients regarding study objectives and potential health implications. Informed consent must be secured for studies involving patients (Chiwaula et al., 2021). Ethical considerations for EBP are grounded in the Belmont principles, emphasizing autonomy, beneficence, and justice (Tu & Gao, 2021). Regulatory compliance, particularly with FDA guidelines for evidence-based technology, is crucial when implementing EBP. For instance, these considerations significantly influenced the deployment of the wearable wireless technology iThermonitor WT705 for continuous temperature monitoring in ICUs.

Conclusion

Evidence-Based Practice provides nurses with the tools to address emerging healthcare challenges, provided they have access to scholarly resources and support. Nurses engaged in EBP must adhere to high standards in evaluating literature and maintaining methodological rigor. Furthermore, patient confidentiality must be safeguarded when conducting EBP research.

References

Alatawi, M., Aljuhani, E., Alsufiany, F., Aleid, K., Rawah, R., Aljanabi, S., & Banakhar, M. (2020). Barriers of implementing evidence-based practice in the nursing profession: A literature review. American Journal of Nursing Science, 9(1), 35. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajns.20200901.16

Chipps, E., Tucker, S., Labardee, R., Thomas, B., Weber, M., Gallagher-Ford, L., & Melnyk, B. M. (2020). The impact of the electronic health record on moving new evidence-based nursing practices forward. Worldviews on Evidence-Based Nursing, 17(2). https://doi.org/10.1111/wvn.12435

Chiwaula, C. H., Kanjakaya, P., Chipeta, D., Chikatipwa, A., Kalimbuka, T., Zyambo, L., Nkata, S., & Jere, D. L. (2021). Introducing evidence-based practice in nursing care delivery, utilizing the Iowa model in the intensive care unit at Kamuzu Central Hospital, Malawi. International Journal of Africa Nursing Sciences, 14, 100272. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijans.2020.100272

Liu, Y., Liu, C., Gao, M., Wang, Y., Bai, Y., Xu, R., & Gong, R. (2020). Evaluation of a wearable wireless device with artificial intelligence, iThermonitor WT705, for continuous temperature monitoring for patients in surgical wards: A prospective comparative study. BMJ Open, 10(11), e039474. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2020-039474

Saunders, H., Gallagher‐Ford, L., Kvist, T., & Vehviläinen‐Julkunen, K. (2019). Practicing healthcare professionals’ evidence‐based practice competencies: An overview of systematic reviews. Worldviews on Evidence-Based Nursing, 16(3), 176–185. https://doi.org/10.1111/wvn.12363

Speroni, K. G., McLaughlin, M. K., & Friesen, M. A. (2020). Use of evidence‐based practice models and research findings in magnet‐designated hospitals across the United States: National survey results. Worldviews on Evidence-Based Nursing, 17(2), 98–107. https://doi.org/10.1111/wvn.12428