Evidence-based practice (EBP) is the process of collecting, processing, and implementing research findings to improve clinical practice, the work environment, or patient outcomes. Evidence-based practice uses the best available evidence to make informed patient-care decisions and compares current professional and clinical practices with new research facts and outcomes as they emerge. EBP asks if current  interventions are the most effective or the safest for patients and uses the evidence from clinical research as the basis for clinical decision-making. EBP combines best practices from the latest medical literature with clinical experience, and the values and preferences of the patient undergoing treatment.    Evidence-Based Practice Steps:

• Assess the patient problem.
• Ask a clinical question: Is there a new intervention that is more effective than the one currently used? Ask yourself what works well, what could be improved, and why?
• Acquire the current evidence: Conduct a literature search guided by your clinical question.
• Appraise the evidence: Sort through and critique peer-reviewed literature.
• Apply your findings to clinical decision-making: Integrate the evidence with clinical expertise and patient preferences and values. Make evidence-based recommendations for day-to-day practice.
• Evaluate your outcomes: Review data and document your approach. Be sure to include any revisions or changes. Monitor the outcomes of your intervention. Evaluate and summarize the outcome.