Evidence Based Nursing (EBN) | Elsevier Pflege Podcast

Summary

In this episode of the LWB Pflege podcast, Ricarda Müller and guest Christine Keller, a nurse educator and author, discuss the importance of evidence-based nursing (EBM) in healthcare practice. They delve into how scientific research, combined with the experience of nurses and patient needs, forms the foundation of modern care. Through examples like wound healing and mobility preservation, they highlight how EBM has transformed nursing practices. The episode emphasizes the need for nurses to stay current with evidence, integrate it into practice, and engage in constructive discussions with colleagues to improve patient care.

Takeaways

• 😀 Evidence-based nursing (EBN) is the integration of the best scientific evidence into daily nursing practice, incorporating the experiences of nurses, patient preferences, and available resources.
• 😀 The four components of evidence-based nursing are: patient needs, internal evidence (nurse experience), available resources, and external evidence (scientific research).
• 😀 It's essential to tailor nursing care to the individual patient’s needs, rather than relying on generic scientific studies, to ensure effective care.
• 😀 The experience of nurses (internal evidence) plays a crucial role in evidence-based nursing, allowing for intuitive or emotionally informed care based on professional experience.
• 😀 Resources such as materials, technology, and structure in healthcare settings significantly impact the ability to apply evidence-based practices effectively.
• 😀 An example of evidence-based nursing is the shift away from using heat to improve wound healing, as previous evidence showed that it was ineffective and even harmful for certain wounds.
• 😀 Research in nursing has contributed to improved care practices, such as strategies to prevent bedsores, and helps inform evidence-based approaches to chronic illness management.
• 😀 While only about 5% of nursing practices are supported by robust scientific evidence, many other practices are grounded in experience or expert opinion.
• 😀 Nurses are encouraged to stay current with scientific research, but they are not expected to conduct their own studies. Instead, they can rely on professional journals, trusted online sources, and academic books.
• 😀 It’s important to critically evaluate research articles by checking factors like the author’s credentials, publication date, and the source or platform of the research.
• 😀 Implementing evidence-based practices in a healthcare setting can be complex, often requiring significant time, resources, and collaboration among multiple departments.
• 😀 As nursing students or professionals, it’s vital to engage in constructive dialogue with colleagues about new research findings and practice improvements, as this leads to better patient care and keeps nursing practices up-to-date.

Q & A

What is Evidence-Based Nursing (EBM)?

Evidence-Based Nursing (EBM) is the integration of the best available scientific evidence into daily nursing practice. It involves considering the experiences of caregivers, the preferences of patients, and available resources to ensure optimal care.

Why is EBM important in nursing education and practice?

EBM is crucial in nursing because it ensures that care is based on the latest scientific findings, improving patient outcomes. It also helps keep nursing knowledge current and bridges the gap between theoretical education and real-world practice.

What are the four components of Evidence-Based Nursing?

The four components of Evidence-Based Nursing are: 1) Patient needs and preferences, 2) Internal evidence (caregivers' experiences), 3) Available resources (material, technical, and structural), and 4) External evidence (scientific studies and research).

How does personal experience influence Evidence-Based Nursing?

Personal experience plays a role in EBM through caregivers' intuitive and experiential knowledge. This internal evidence, combined with scientific research, enhances decision-making in patient care.

Can you give an example of Evidence-Based Nursing implementation in practice?

A common example is the change in the approach to pressure ulcer prevention. For years, the standard practice was to apply heat to wound edges to improve circulation, but research showed that pressure ulcers are caused by pressure, not by heat, leading to a shift in care strategies.

Why might a nursing professional be reluctant to engage with scientific research?

Nurses may feel overwhelmed by the complexity and time commitment required to read and understand research studies. However, it is essential for ensuring care is based on up-to-date evidence, and many resources are available to make research more accessible.

What is the role of research in improving nursing practices?

Research plays a vital role in improving nursing practices by providing evidence that can lead to more effective and safer patient care. It helps inform new care strategies and validate or challenge existing practices.

How should nurses approach reading scientific articles and research?

When reading scientific articles, nurses should consider the author’s qualifications, the publication date (preferably within the last five years), the references used in the article, and the credibility of the platform or publisher to ensure the research is relevant and reliable.

What challenges might nurses face when implementing new evidence-based standards in practice?

Challenges include resistance to change, lack of time, insufficient resources, and the complexity of integrating new practices into established routines. Introducing new standards often requires a structured process and may take significant time to implement across all departments.

How can nursing students contribute to evidence-based practices in their clinical settings?

Nursing students can contribute by staying informed about current research, questioning outdated practices, and suggesting evidence-based alternatives to their colleagues and mentors. A constructive and respectful approach can help integrate new knowledge into daily care.