WHAT ARE SOME EXAMPLES OF EVIDENCE-BASED NURSING PRACTICES? Providing safe, high-quality treatment necessitates the use of viable evidence as a foundation for practice. Many EBP treatments are preventative, which means that when a nurse applies these practices, it is with the purpose of preventing complications, as seen in the 10 examples of evidence-based practice in nursing below. 1. Raising the head of a patient's bed by 30 to 45 degrees. Elevating the body from the waist up, according to the American Sleep Apnea Association, helps support the airway and prevents collapse. Raising the head of the bed lowers the risk of aspiration and ventilator-associated pneumonia. This evidence-based nursing practice is a preventative measure. 2. Putting steps in place to improve skin integrity One of the most important goals of nurses is to maintain skin integrity in hospitalized or immobilized patients. Skin integrity is a clinical and economical challenge, frequently resulting in extended hospital stays, increasing the expense of individual healthcare services, and putting a strain on community and acute care organizations. Implementing actions to limit these hazards, such as turning and moving patients every two hours, utilizing heel and elbow protection, and keeping skin clean and dry, is an example of evidence-based practice in nursing. 3. Putting techniques in place to strengthen infection control practices Nurses play a critical role in preventing the spread of disease and infections. Wearing personal protective equipment, practicing proper hand hygiene, and keeping the healthcare environment clean are just a few of the evidence-based infection control measures that have proven effective in preventing the spread of infections, promoting positive patient outcomes, and lowering healthcare costs. 4. Providing oxygen to a person suffering from Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). Long-term usage of supplemental oxygen improves the survival rate of individuals with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, according to studies. 5. Avoiding frequent ventilator circuit changes. It is not unusual for humidified gases to condense in ventilator circuits, increasing the danger of contamination. Because contaminated secretions can enter the bronchial tree when ventilator tubing is manipulated, frequent scheduled ventilator circuit modifications can raise the risk of ventilator-acquired pneumonia. 6. Methods for Bathing Inpatient Bedbound Clients Are Being Updated Bathing bedbound individuals had historically involved the use of a basin, soap, and water. However, the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses states that this is no longer the recommended level of care. The AACN has updated evidence-based nursing practices for washing adult bedbound patients. AACN senior director, Ramon Lavandero, RN, MA, MSN, FAAN, reports that “current evidence tells us that even such a routine activity as bathing bedbound patients must be updated to reduce the risks to and increase the benefit to the patient.” Daily bathing for bedbound patients using rinse-free pH balanced cleansers, prepackaged bathing products including skin emollients, and disposable, prepackaged washcloths with a two percent solution of chlorhexidine gluconate (CHG) helps reduce the risk of colonization of specific bacteria associated with multi-drug resistance, according to new research. Implementing these evidence-based nursing practices also improves patient comfort and lowers healthcare expenditures associated with illnesses caused by multi-drug resistant bacteria. 7. Conducting Appropriate Patient Assessments Before and After Medication Administration The importance of performing complete, suitable evaluations before delivering any medication to a client is an example of evidence-based practice in nursing that cannot be overstated. Patients on specific heart drugs, for example, should have their blood pressure and pulse measured before the medication is administered. Nurses can use this EBP nursing intervention to assess if it is safe to administer the drug or whether it should be held and the physician alerted. When feasible, limit the use of urinary catheterizations. The most frequent healthcare-associated infection is catheter-associated urinary tract infection (CAUTI). Evidence indicates infections resulting from overuse of urinary catheters are related to increased client morbidity, longer hospital stays, and increased healthcare costs. The three areas of evidence-based interventions to reduce the use of CAUTIs include preventing inappropriate short-term catheter use, urinary catheter care during catheter replacement, and nurse-driven timely removal of urinary catheters. 9. Encouraging well-balanced diets as soon as possible for children with gastrointestinal symptoms At one time, the BRAT (bananas, rice, apple sauce, and toast) diet was a popular dietary recommendation for children with gastrointestinal symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. However, because the BRAT diet is low in nutrients necessary for health and healing, it is no longer the priority recommendation. Instead, evidence shows when children are suffering from GI issues, staying hydrated is the priority, followed by progression to the child’s regular diet as soon as tolerable. Nurses can implement EBP in nursing by educating parents on the importance of hydration and balanced dietary intake. 10. Implementing and Educating Patients About Safety Measures at Home and in Healthcare Facilities Evidence-based research includes data about measures that promote patient safety. Using research findings that support the enforcement of safety measures helps improve patient outcomes, reduce the risk of injury, and reduces healthcare costs. An intervention as simple as educating a home health patient about measures to prevent falls and injuries can make a significant difference in their risks. For example, unsecured, loose rugs are recognized as an environmental hazard that may contribute to falls and injuries. Nurses can use the evidence of falls associated with area rugs to educate patients about the importance of securing rugs or removing them altogether to increase safety.