Evidence Based Practice

“Evidence based nursing practice is the conscientious, explicit and judicious use of theory-derived, research-based information in making decisions about care delivery to individuals or groups of patients and in consideration of individual needs and preferences” -Gail L. Ingersoll

EBP Clinical Appraisal Tools

The Critical Appraisal Skills Programme (CASP) is a non-profit organization that is part of Better Value Healthcare based in Oxford, UK. It’s mission is to train people on how to do critical appraisals and help healthcare decision makers understand scientific evidence around the world. “CASP is for anyone that wants to use research evidence in their professional practice, professional and personal decision making, and policy & guidelines development.” The CASP website has eight critical appraisal tools designed to be used when reading research, these include tools for Systematic Reviews, Randomised Controlled Trials, Cohort Studies, Case Control Studies, Economic Evaluations, Diagnostic Studies, Qualitative studies and Clinical Prediction Rule. http://www.casp-uk.net/#!casp-tools-checklists/c18f8

1. EBP History History and Development Historical Perspectives Early Origins Key Definitions

2. Guidelines to follow for Assessing the rigor and quality of an EBP Project Evidence-Based Practice Quality Assessment (EPQA) Guidelines Article EPGA Guidelines

3. Tools

• CONSORT

• STROBE

• PRISMA

• SQUIRE

• MOOSE

• AGREE

Click here for Summary of all the EBP Clinical Appraisal Tools

4. Related Articles (by Melnyk, published in AJN on EBP process) Click here for References

1. Igniting a Spirit of Inquiry: An Essential Foundation for Evidence-Based Practice

2. The Seven Steps of Evidence-Based Practice

3. Asking the Clinical Question: A Key Step in Evidence-Based Practice

4. Searching for the Evidence

5. Critical Appraisal: Part 1

6. Critical Appraisal: Part 2

7. Clinical Appraisal: Part 3

8. Following the Evidence: Planning for Sustainable Change

9. Implementing an Evidence-Based Practice Change

10. Rolling out the Rapid Response Team

11. Evaluating and Disseminating the Impact of an Evidence-Based Intervention: Show and Tell

12. Sustaining Evidence-Based Practice through Organizational Polices and an Innovative Model

5. Recommended Books

• Hopp, L. & Rittenmeyer, L. (2012). Introduction to evidence-based practice: a practical guide for nursing (1st ed.). Philadelphia: F.A. Davis Co.

• Melnyk, B. M. (2014). Evidence-based practice in nursing and healthcare: a guide to best practice (Third edition.). Philadelphia: Wolters Kluwer Health.We recommend the Melnyk book for nurses with BSN or graduate level degrees.

Contact Information

Kerry Milner, DNSc, RN, Sacred Heart University Sheri Lynn Cosme, DNP Student

Email: milnerk@sacredheart.edu Phone: 203.416.3940 Email: cosmes@mail.sacredheart.edu