Integrating Individual Clinical Standards (EBP)

Evidence Based Practice is defined as “the conscientious, explicit and judicious use of current best evidence in making decisions about the care of the individual patient. It means integrating individual clinical expertise with the best available external clinical evidence from systematic research” (Sackett, 1996). “Integrating individual clinical expertise” as stated in the above definition means the nurse has a role to play to make EBP work.
New evidence is disseminated in different ways by my employer. Hands on training is one of the many ways. When a new item is added to facilitate the care of patients, we will have the sales representative from the manufacturer come to our unit to demonstrate the use of the equipment. Nurses can practice and demonstrate how to use the equipment before it arrives to our unit. Another way is through mandatory meetings in which our supervisor discusses with us when a new idea will be taking effect and the reasons as to why such policy will be taking effect. Nurse educators are also utilize in the spread of new information to the bedside nurse. They visit each unit, and educate bedside nurses on new ideas and policies being adopted.
CLABSI infections are down by 50% between 2008 and 2014 according to data by the Center for Disease Control (CDC), ( CDC, July 2015) as hospitals are following guidelines by the CDC. Some practices and procedures may not work for all patients even though EBP may show it works. Patients are discouraged in trying alternative forms of treatments because there is no data to support such treatment. Data from the Epilepsy foundation website suggests most seizure patients who have tried Cannabis, commonly known as “marijuana” or using oils from cannabis, have responded well to the treatment but because there is no EBP of it’s effectiveness clinicians cannot prescribe cannabis as a form of treatment for seizures (Sirven & Shafer,