ASSIGNMENT TITLE: AN APPRAISAL OF A PIECE OF RESEARCH-BASED EVIDENCE Evidence based practice (EBP) is the term used to describe how healthcare professionals base their clinical approaches on reliable evidence, to ensure the best possible outcomes for patients. EBP encompasses significant and trustworthy research based evidence, patients own preferences to their care and the expertise of healthcare professionals involved, to determine the optimum care for the patient (Rees, 2012, p.9). It is extremely important to professional practice, as the Nursing and Midwifery Council (2010, p.6) states that nurses and midwives must: ‘deliver care based on the best available evidence…’. To find relevant evidence, a succinct question must be created using a standard framework to provide appropriate keywords for an efficient search (Davies, 2011, p.75). The topic under review is hand hygiene and face mask effectiveness in the spread of influenza-like illness.
According to Garity (2005), “The nurse’s ability to collaborate with patients, families, and multi/ intra-disciplinary health care professionals in the successful resolution of such dilemmas can affect the quality of health care” (p. 11). The nurse has an ethical obligation to give every patient the same level of compassion, care, and respect regardless of the nature of the illness (Chitty & Black, 2010). Whether or not the nurse agrees or disagrees with the decision that Marianne’s family has decided on, the nurse must ethically abide by the family’s wishes and provide the highest quality of care for her. The nurse’s highest level of commitments is for Marianne at that point. Although competing demands of patient, family, and physician have risen, the nurse’s first priority is always providing care that ensures patient safety and protects the best welfare of the patient.
Evidence-based practice (EBP) provides the research and information of how to deliver the best patient care, and can be integrated into the delivery of nursing care. Prevention of ventilator-acquired pneumonia (VAP) in ventilated patients in the intensive care unit is just one example of how evidence-based practice is being implemented in nursing care. Evidence-Based Practice Dr. David Sackett, a pioneer of evidence-based practice, best describes it as “the conscientious, explicit, and judicious use of current best evidence in making decisions about the care of the individual patient” (Troseth, 2009). This involves the integration of clinical experience, the values of the individual patient, and the best evidence-based research (Schardt, 2010). Implementing EBP in nursing care establishes who they are, what they do, and what effect they have on patient outcomes (Overholt, 2004).
An equal nurse-patient relationship is important in order to ensure that safe, effective and personal health care is delivered and that the patients’ needs are appropriately met (The Health Foundation, 2012). Briant and Freshwater (1998) discuss how the development of the nurse-patient relationship may be effected; they further this, stating that everyone differs in regards to their personal boundaries and how they perceive interpersonal interactions from others. In consideration of this, in order for a nurse to develop the required skills in order to form an effective nurse patient relationship, they must recognise the individual boundaries of their patients. The professional expectation of nurses is very high and this is something which is greatly acknowledged within society. The media is very influential in regards to how society perceives nurses; this is something which has altered the image of nursing within the past, (Benison and Voogd, 2008) Appropriate examples of cases which have been focused upon within media will be underlined and discussed throughout this essay.
Importance of Evidence Based Research EBP ensures that researched published material is organized. According to Houser, EBP is defined as “the use of the best scientific evidence, integrated with clinical experience and incorporating patient values and preferences in the practice of professional nursing care” (Houser, 2012, p. 13). EBP improves patient outcomes and increases patient satisfaction. EBP was initiated to help medical professionals make sound decisions based on current literature. EBP prevents inconsistency in practice patterns.
Essentially, if nursing performs at the peak of their training and education we can greatly impact in every area the goals of the IOM report. Strong leadership as reported by the IOM is critical to the success of a rapidly changing healthcare system. Nurses at the entry level of their career may not aspire to be leaders, but quickly realize an expanded role, which includes a partnership with the entire medical team. (IOM, 2010, pg.
Ethical Leadership: Creating an Ethical Environment That Promotes Positive Employee Behaviors, Quality Care, Safety, and Efficiency Sheilah Montoya RN, BSN Chamberlain College of Nursing In the healthcare setting, todays leaders face many challenges. One prominent and ongoing issue is the ability of healthcare staff to provide safe, quality care to patients, and to be able to provide this care efficiently. As healthcare professionals we understand that ethical issues along with cultural issues within an organization are very common. As healthcare professionals we work to improve access to healthcare, provide quality care, promote safety, and assure care is provided within a safe environment according to cultural beliefs. Things in the healthcare field are changing constantly and this in turn affects patient care, and employee
I will be able to understand that the interests of the patient are primary in my career. I will need to include the patient in the planning of care provision and ensure that there is no conflict of interest, enhance collaboration and create professional boundaries at all times. I will be keen on bringing in key professional traits from the American Nurse Association’ code of ethics. One of the key traits is being responsible to the public and as such I should be aware of any health threats to the public (Reed, 2006). The second trait is the facilitation of a healthy work environment based on moral virtues and values.
I will remind myself every day why I became a nurse and aspire to make my patients my number one priority. Functional Differences As licensed professionals, it is our duty to protect the public’s health and welfare by assuring that we provide safe and competent nursing care. It is also our responsibility to seek opportunities to advance our professional growth. Regulatory agencies and Professional Nursing Organizations afford us the resources to do that. The functional differences between both types of organizations
Carla Poston Initial Post TD #2 Nurse Leadership Nursing requires strong, consistent and knowledgeable leaders who inspire others, are visible, and support professional nursing practice. Leadership is an essential element for quality professional practice environments where nurses can provide quality nursing care. Key attributes of a nurse leader include being a(n): advocate for quality care, collaborator, articulate communicator, mentor, risk taker, role model and visionary (Stanley, 2006). The nurse leader has an obligation to their clients, be it patients under their direct care, on their unit or the caregivers under his/her management, to demand practice environments that have the organizational and human support allocations