title: Practical steps for evidence-based practice: putting one foot in front of the other.
abstract: Evidence-based practice is a goal for all institutions and often an accreditation requirement. However, moving forward to "just do it" poses a problem for nurses in most patient care units. In spite of increased focus on evidence-based practice initiatives, creation of a systematic approach that effectively integrates the evidence for our practice into the minute-by-minute activities of patient care is still needed. In this article, the steps for accomplishing evidence-based practice in the clinical area are described, beginning with establishing a system to identify, evaluate, and prioritize clinical questions and existing research. Although conducting new, unit-based nursing research may seem a distant goal, beginning with initiatives to increase the use of existing evidence in practice is a first step to this goal, one that contributes to professional development and improved patient outcomes.
authors.affiliation: Duke University Health Systems and Clinical Associate, Duke University School of Nursing, DUMC Box 3943, Durham, NC 27710, USA. grang004@mc.duke.edu
authors.forename: Bradi B
authors.initials: BB
authors.lastname: Granger
mesh_terms: D000465:Algorithms; D003659:Decision Making, Organizational; D003663:Decision Trees; D004059:Diffusion of Innovation; D004509:Education, Nursing, Continuing / Q000458:organization & administration; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine / Q000193:education / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006040:Goals; D006801:Humans; D033181:Information Dissemination; D020407:Internet; D020380:Needs Assessment; D015399:Nursing Research / Q000193:education / Q000458:organization & administration*; D009741:Nursing Staff, Hospital / Q000193:education / Q000458:organization & administration* / Q000523:psychology; D009937:Organizational Objectives; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D010934:Planning Techniques; D016730:Program Development; D012107:Research Design / Q000592:standards