Evidence-based practice, writing homework help

Evidence-based practice is “the practice of health care in which the practitioner systematically finds, appraises, and uses the most current and valid research findings as the basis for clinical decisions” (Mosby’s Medical Dictionary, 2009). Evidence-based practice promotes decision-making that reflects best available information, rather than clinical experience and perceptions.

At my job setting, an example of evidence-based practice that is applied is avoidance of medication errors. As nurses, we all know medication error is a failure in the treatment process that leads to, or has the potential to lead to harm to a patient. Also, in any inpatient care setting, the most common problem is medication errors that cause harm to a patient. My job has a policy or acceptable standard which is less than 5 percentage of medication errors, as any rate above the facility standard will require my facility management to put an action plan in place for corrections.

Medication errors include under-medication, omission, over-dose or multiple dose, expired medication, incorrect timing, medication borrowing, incorrect documentation, error with lab work to mention but a few. These errors may occur due to contraindications of the MD’s orders, the acceptable professional standards of administering the medication or the manufacturer’s instructions. My job requires doctors to enter their orders in the computer to help reduce these medications. These errors may also lead to providers’ probation, suspension, termination, or even criminal prosecution. “Physician computer order entry decreased the rate of no intercepted serious medication errors by more than half”(Bates, et al, 1998). Through the Magnet Recognition Program, “the profession of nursing has been a leader in catalyzing adoption of Evidence-Based Practice and using it as a marker of excellence” (Stevens, 2013) hence the need for my facility to put steps in place in order to stay medication errors free so as not to cause harm to our patients.