title: Key steps in implementing evidence-based practice: asking compelling, searchable questions and searching for the best evidence.
abstract: From the searches presented, it can be seen that there are times when scientific studies will not be available to answer burning clinical questions. If systematic reviews, evidence-based guidelines, and individual studies are not available, clinicians must then turn to expert anecdotal evidence to guide their decision-making process and interventions. As further randomized controlled trials are conducted to evaluate nursing interventions, more scientific evidence will become available to guide nursing practice. However, it is important to remember that EBP not only encompasses evidence from research and its appraisal, but also includes patient preferences and expertise by the clinician. Because a meta-analysis indicated that patients had 28% better outcomes when nursing interventions were based on scientific evidence rather than interventions that were steeped in tradition (Heater, Becker, & Olson, 1988), it is essential that nurse practitioners and nurses have the appropriate knowledge and skills to translate evidence from research into practice. Asking searchable questions and knowing how to search for and find the best evidence are two key steps in delivering the highest quality of evidence-based nursing care to patients and their families.
authors.affiliation: Center for Research and Evidence-Based Practice, PNP Program, University of Rochester School of Nursing, Rochester, New York, USA.
authors.forename: Bernadette Mazurek
authors.initials: BM
authors.lastname: Melnyk
authors.forename: Ellen
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Fineout-Overholt
mesh_terms: D000152:Acne Vulgaris / Q000451:nursing; D000293:Adolescent; D019985:Benchmarking / Q000458:organization & administration*; D002180:Candidiasis, Oral / Q000451:nursing; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine / Q000458:organization & administration*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D016247:Information Storage and Retrieval / Q000379:methods*; D015399:Nursing Research / Q000458:organization & administration*; D010371:Pediatric Nursing / Q000458:organization & administration*; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D012107:Research Design