Evidence Based Projects

What is an Evidence Based Project?

As nurses, we frequently encounter the phrase “evidence-based practice” (EBP). However, what does this imply? EBP is a method for reviewing, analyzing, and translating the most recent scientific evidence. The objective is to rapidly integrate the best available research into clinical practice, along with clinical experience and patient preference, so that nurses can make informed patient care decisions. Clinical practice is predicated on Evidence Based Projects. Incorporating EBP into your nursing practice can improve patient care and outcomes.

What Is Evidence-Based Practice Projects in Nursing?

According to the Journal of Nursing Administration, evidence-based practice (EBP) is a method of healthcare that uses the most recent research available to improve patients’ health and safety while lowering overall costs and variation in health outcomes. It is a method of applied problem solving that incorporates best practices from the most recent medical literature, clinical experience, and the values and preferences of the patients being treated.

Although EBP was only recently integrated into mainstream nursing practice, beginning in the 1990s, it has a long history in nursing. While most of the literature credits physician Archie Cochrane in the 1970s as the originator of EBP, then called evidence-based medicine, some scholars trace it back to Florence Nightingale. In the early nineteenth century, her effort to improve patient outcomes in the face of unsanitary conditions through accurate observation and analysis is frequently cited as the origin of EBP.

While supervising a barrack hospital in Scutari, Turkey, Nightingale used critical thinking skills, evidence, and experimentation to improve patient health during the Crimean War. She also used statistics to anticipate morbidity and mortality in her patients better. Despite the fact that she lacked the wealth of research available today, she was a trailblazer for EBP in nursing.

The shared heritage that all nurses share, dating all the way back to Nightingale, makes EBP a natural fit. Nurses considering an online RN to BSN program should ensure that it includes EBP as a required component of the curriculum.

Why Is Evidence Based Practice Projects Important?

The Institute for Healthcare Improvement (IHI) developed three principles for improving individual healthcare and population health while lowering overall healthcare costs. With the passage of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA) in 2010, the “Triple Aim” became a priority for the United States. The Triple Aim is defined as “improving the individual experience of care; improving population health; and lowering population-level per capita costs of care.” A fourth objective, to reduce burnout and improve nurses’ clinical experiences, was added later.

EBP consistently demonstrates that it improves healthcare delivery, strengthens outcomes, reduces geographical disparities in care, and reduces costs. EBP has been shown to improve overall job satisfaction, thereby reducing burnout.

Despite its effectiveness in achieving the Triple and Quadruple Aims, EBP is only gradually establishing itself as the gold standard of care in the United States. Given its demonstrated ability to significantly improve the quality of care while also lowering costs, it is critical to accelerating EBP adoption. Nurses who possess the necessary knowledge and skills can play a crucial role in the implementation of EBP as members of interdisciplinary teams and healthcare systems.

What Does Evidence Based Practice Projects in Nursing Mean for Nurses?

Evidence Based Projects empowers nurses by equipping them with the tools necessary to act as change agents for improved healthcare outcomes. It begins with observation and the formulation of a question, continues with the studious pursuit of an answer through research and integration into care, and ultimately results in improved conditions and outcomes, both locally and internationally, as the findings are shared.

Nurses who conduct evidence-based projects serve as the link between a wealth of medical research and on-the-ground experience. They are able to standardize care, reduce medical errors, and impact their patients, communities, and the world positively.

Finally, EBP enables nurses to play a more active role in shaping nursing practice in collaboration with other healthcare professionals and clinicians. It means living up to Nightingale’s example and transforming the healthcare system from the inside out.

Numerous non-EBP practices persist despite a dearth of solid research to support them. Many of these interventions and protocols, which are based on tradition rather than evidence, are ineffective at best and actively harmful at worst. EBP offers a path away from increased costs, subpar care, and dissatisfying results. Assuring nurses have the confidence and competence to evaluate medical literature, as well as the judgment necessary to design and conduct a trial, is a critical component of the University of Maine Fort Kent’s RN to BSN online program (UMFK).

Healthcare is evolving, and those who can successfully navigate the demands of EBP will be in a position to help shape that evolution in their own practice. With your BSN, you are taking the first step toward global healthcare improvement through evidence-based practices.

How Do I Get Involved in An Evidence Based Practice Project?

As a nurse, you will have plenty of opportunities to get involved in an evidence based capstone project. Take that “AHA” moment. Do you believe there is a more efficient way to accomplish something? Let us examine the evidence and determine!

Using a model to guide your work when conducting an EBP project is critical. We follow the Johns Hopkins Evidence-Based Practice (JHEBP) model at the Johns Hopkins Health System. The PET process consists of three phases: practice question, evidence, and translation. The first phase involves the development of a practice question, which includes identifying the patient population, interventions, and outcomes (PICO). The second phase involves conducting a literature search and evaluating the evidence for its strength and quality. The third phase synthesizes the findings to develop practice recommendations.

Simple-to-use tools complement the JHEBP model. The tools guide you through the project’s various phases. Nurses at Johns Hopkins can access the tools through our Inquiry Toolkit. Individuals from other institutions can access the tools through the Institute for Johns Hopkins Nursing (IJHN).

If you’re interested in learning more about the JHEBP model and tools, nurses at Johns Hopkins have access to a free online course called JHH Nursing | Central | Evidence-Based Practice Series in Online Nursing Term Papers. The course walks learners through the JHEBP process from start to finish and instructs them on using the JHEBP tools. Individuals from other institutions may enroll in the course for a fee through the Institute for Johns Hopkins Nursing (IJHN).

Where should I start?

All EBP projects must be submitted for review to the Center for Nursing Inquiry. The CNI ensures that all nurse-led EBP projects are of a high standard and add value. Additionally, we provide expert guidance and support as needed.

Who can help me with evidence based projects based learning?

Online Nursing Term Papers can assist you with any questions regarding the JHEBP tools. All ten JHEBP tools are included in our Inquiry Toolkit: a project management guide, a question development tool, a stakeholder analysis tool, a guide to evidence level and quality, a guide to research evidence appraisal, a guide to non-research evidence appraisal, a tool for summarizing individual pieces of evidence, a tool for synthesis and recommendations, a tool for action planning, and a tool for dissemination. The tools will guide you through the various stages of an EBP project.

The Welch Medical Library serves the information needs of Johns Hopkins Medicine, Nursing, and Public Health faculty, staff, and students. Finding evidence is frequently one of the most challenging aspects of conducting an EBP project. Your department’s information specialist can assist you with literature searches and citation management.

When do I share my work?

Your assignment has been completed. What happens now? It’s time to bring your research to the attention of the scholarly community.

Utilize the JHEBP Dissemination Tool to prepare your evidence-based practice project proposal example project for publication. The JHEBP Dissemination Tool (Appendix J) outlines what should be included in each section of your manuscript, from the introduction to the conclusion, and identifies which EBP appendices correspond to each section of a scientific paper. The JHEBP Dissemination Tool is available in our Inquiry Toolkit.

Additionally, you can present your project at a regional, national, or international conference. Our Inquiry Toolkit includes templates for poster and podium presentations.

Models of Evidence-Based Practice

Numerous EBP models are available and have been successfully implemented in various clinical settings. Although a comprehensive review of these models is beyond the scope of this chapter, common elements include the selection of a practice topic (e.g., discharge instructions for individuals with heart failure), evidence critique and syntheses, implementation, evaluation of the practice’s impact on patient care and provider performance, and consideration of the practice’s context/setting. The knowledge gained during the process of translating research into practice is critical to capture and feedback into the process for others to adopt the evidence-based guideline and implementation strategies.

The dissemination panel of the AHRQ Patient Safety Research Coordinating Committee recently developed a conceptual framework for maximizing and expediting the transfer of research findings from the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality’s (AHRQ) patient safety research portfolio to health care delivery. This model synthesizes concepts relating to knowledge transfer, social marketing, organizational and social innovation, and behavior change gleaned from the scientific literature. Although the framework is organized in stages, the authors believe that knowledge transfer does not occur in a linear fashion; rather, activities occur concurrently or in different sequences, with the implementation of EBPs being a multifaceted process involving numerous actors and systems.

What’s The Difference Between Research and Evidence Based Project Nursing?

There is a widespread misconception that EBP and research are synonymous. That is not true! While there are some similarities, one of the primary distinctions is their purpose. The purpose of research is to create new knowledge or to validate previously held beliefs based on a theory. Research is a systematic, scientific inquiry that employs disciplined, rigorous methods to address specific questions or test hypotheses. Researchers must follow a logical, sequential process for research findings to be considered reliable and valid.

By contrast, the objective of evidence-based practice project ideas is not to create new knowledge or to validate existing knowledge; rather, it is to translate the evidence and apply it to clinical practice and decision-making. The goal of Evidence Based Projects is to make informed patient care decisions based on the best available evidence. While the majority of the best evidence comes from research, EBP extends beyond research to include the clinician’s and healthcare team’s clinical expertise, as well as patient preferences and values.

Before you begin – a few critical considerations

Do you have more than just evidence?

In the absence of other considerations, research findings should not be used to justify a change in practice. Additionally, the following factors must be considered:

1. Patient values and preferences
2. The health care provider’s experience
3. Evaluation of the patient and laboratory findings
4. Additional data sources, such as unit-based metrics and workflows

All of these factors must be considered to ensure the best possible patient outcomes from EBP strategies.

Do you have adequate sponsorship and resources?

To implement evidence-based nursing project ideas, we must also consider the project’s administrative and institutional support. For instance, suppose a substantial body of evidence demonstrates a decreased incidence of depression in pregnant women who receive cognitive therapy sessions during prolonged hospitalization. While this is an excellent idea, financial constraints may preclude hiring a therapist from providing this treatment.

While considering resources, consider people or human resources. Who can assist you with the project within your organization? Are there any subject matter experts or critical stakeholders you should consult early on?

Do you have access to data and a plan for measuring progress?

As is the case with research, we must evaluate and monitor any changes in outcomes following the implementation of an EBP project to ensure that positive effects are sustained and adverse effects are addressed. While an intervention may be highly effective in a rigorously controlled trial, this does not always imply that it will work identically in your clinical setting or with your patients.

Examples Of Evidence Based Practice Projects

1. Infection Control

When a patient is admitted to a hospital for treatment, the last thing they want is to contract a hospital-acquired infection. Nurses play a critical role in preventing illness by adhering to evidence-based infection control policies. This includes maintaining a clean healthcare environment, wearing personal protective equipment, taking barrier precautions, and adequately handwashing. Although nurses are overburdened with responsibilities, the time spent on infection control is well worth the effort.

2. Oxygen Use in Patients with COPD

It is critical for patient health and safety that nurses adhere to evidence-based nursing practice when providing oxygen to patients with COPD. Despite some’s belief that providing oxygen to these patients can result in serious complications such as hypercarbia, acidosis, or even death, the evidence-based protocol recommends that oxygen be supplied to COPD patients. This practice has been shown to reduce the risk of hypoxia and organ failure. Giving oxygen, which is the evidence-based treatment, can improve the quality of life and lengthen the life of COPD patients.

3. Measuring Blood Pressure Noninvasively in Children

Nurses should take blood pressure readings based on evidence-based practice, as accurate readings are a critical component of effective treatment. Blood pressure measurement in children is performed differently than it is in adults. Measuring children’s blood pressure begins with the auscultatory method and is followed by a comparison to data gathered using the oscillometric method.

4. Intravenous Catheter Size and Blood Administration

When nurses use intravenous catheters to administer blood for packed red blood cell transfusions, they should adhere to evidence based practice. According to the protocol, nurses should use a smaller-gauge catheter to increase patient comfort.

Conclusion

EBP aims to standardize and improve care processes and, ultimately, patient outcomes by utilizing current knowledge and connecting it to patient preferences and clinical expertise.