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To Comment

Unit 9 Discussion

These 18 questions about evidence-based (Mazurek Melnyk & Fineout-Overholt, 2015)practice really got me thinking about using EBP in daily practice or using it to improve an old or outdated practice. I think like many things in nursing, you do many things automatically without putting much thought into it (like teaching our patients informally through bedside conversations). What surprised me most is that I scored 25 out of a possible 72.

I do feel that on an informal level, I probably do more than what I graded myself on and that much of what I have scored myself on has been as a result of this class. I had three questions where I scored myself as a "0", ten questions as a "1", two questions as a "2, one as a "3" and two "4's." The high amount of "1's" shows me that I've shared a little bit with a few select people outside of this class. The areas where I scored a "3" or "4" were a direct result of this class. I do feel that there are many opportunities to improve in my use of EBP in my daily practice as I am part of a Magnet hospital.

The Magnet model consists of five components: transformational leadership, structural empowerment, exemplary professional practice, new knowledge, innovations and improvements which all lead to empirical outcomes (Auditore, Karsten, Rolston, McMillan-Coddington, 2017).

Every component of the Magnet model involves the use of EBP. How do I know this? I've read our Magnet document and I've witnessed some of the unit and hospital projects (many use Level IV and V evidence) that have been implemented into practice. One current initiative on our unit that utilizes EBP is the multidisciplinary Surgical Site Infection Prevention task force.

We meet weekly, do a drill-down on any new SSI's (which include everything from CHG baths before and after, daily linen changes, timing of antibiotics, patient education, etc), and look at ways to implement activities to prevent infections (such as covering all hair, hand hygiene products, getting rid of cloth scrub caps, reducing lint from OR towels, limiting who can come in and out of the OR during the case).

Many of these items have been implemented based on literature/studies available out there. Since implementing this task force 3 years ago, we have seen a significant drop in SSI's.

This is quality data that is reported monthly and shared with our staff members on our quality board and through weekly unit newsletters.
Based on my scores and moving forward into an APN role, I definitely need to put more focused and conscious effort into utilizing EBP in my daily actions.

Auditore, A., Karsten, K., Rolston, E., McMillan-Coddington, D. (2017). Using the Magnet Model to develop a state of nursing report. Journal for Nurses in Professional Development 33(4): 185-188.

Mazurek Melnyk, B. & Fineout-Overholt, E. (2015). Evidenced-Based Practice in Nursing & Healthcare: A Guide to Best Practice. 3rd Ed. Wolters Kluwer: Philadelphia, PA.

Thing to Remember:

• Answer this discussion with opinions/ideas creatively and clearly. Supports post using several outside, peer-reviewed sources.

• 1 References, find resources that are 5 years or less

• No errors with APA format 6 Edition