Clinical Judgement
Question
Clinical judgment in our daily practice can influence how we (nurses) take care of our patients. Our everyday care of our patients also incorporate ethical care and charting. Why should nursing include evidence-based practice into their daily routine?
Nursing practice is a combination of art and science, which involves the use of clinical judgment and ethical care to provide safe and effective patient care. However, nursing practice should also be guided by evidence-based practice (EBP), which refers to the integration of the best available evidence with clinical expertise and patient values to make clinical decisions. Incorporating EBP into daily nursing practice is crucial for several reasons.
Firstly, EBP improves the quality of patient care. Evidence-based practice helps nurses to make informed and effective clinical decisions based on the best available evidence. By using EBP, nurses can ensure that their patient care is based on the most current and reliable evidence, which can improve patient outcomes and reduce the risk of adverse events. For example, a nurse who uses evidence-based practice when administering medications can ensure that they are giving the right medication, at the right dose, to the right patient, at the right time, which can help to prevent medication errors and improve patient safety.
Secondly, EBP promotes nursing professionalism. Incorporating EBP into daily nursing practice demonstrates a commitment to professionalism and lifelong learning. It shows that nurses are dedicated to providing high-quality patient care based on the best available evidence, and are willing to adapt their practice to meet the changing needs of their patients.
Thirdly, EBP fosters nursing autonomy. Evidence-based practice empowers nurses to make independent and informed decisions about patient care based on the best available evidence. By using EBP, nurses can take ownership of their practice, and feel confident in their ability to provide safe and effective patient care.
Lastly, EBP promotes accountability and documentation. Evidence-based practice requires nurses to document their clinical decisions and interventions based on the best available evidence. This documentation provides a clear record of the care provided to the patient, which can be used to evaluate the effectiveness of the interventions and ensure accountability for the care provided.
In conclusion, incorporating evidence-based practice into daily nursing practice is crucial for improving the quality of patient care, promoting nursing professionalism and autonomy, and ensuring accountability and documentation. By using EBP, nurses can provide safe and effective patient care based on the best available evidence, and continuously improve their practice to meet the changing needs of their patients.