What is Evidence-Based Practice (EBP)?
There are several definitions of evidence-based practice (EBP), but the core concept is the use of the best current research to improve patient care. David L. Sackett MD who helped coin the phrase “evidence-based medicine,” perhaps best describes it as:

...the conscientious, explicit and judicious use of current best evidence in making decisions about the care of individual patients. The practice of EBP means integrating individual clinical experience with the best available external clinical evidence from systematic research.

EBP aims to builds on the clinician’s own expertise—integrating individual clinical experience with the best available external clinical evidence. It’s intended to guide the clinician in making the best decision for that specific patient’s situation, not rule it.

Haven’t clinicians always used evidence in practice?
Yes, clinicians have long used evidence in practice. Unfortunately, the data shows it still takes an average of 17 years for our health systems to bring the best evidence into daily use with patients. (Institute of Medicine, 2001) Historically, clinicians have had to wade through stacks of journals seeking research relevant to their patient’s situation. And then there was no way to systematically evaluate the quality or relevancy of the research—which is particularly important to achieving better patient outcomes.

But the EBP movement has made systematic reviews and evidence-based guidelines more readily available. As a result, it is realistic now for a busy clinician to search for a real-time answer to a clinical question and quickly evaluate the suitability of the evidence to a particular clinical situation.

Accessing critically appraised research is one of the infrastructure barriers to adopting evidence based changes in our care. In fact, we recognize that healthcare leaders face two significant hurdles to achieving work environments that are based on evidence. First, clinicians are not routinely educated in the methods of evidence and second, our current infrastructures do not have the processes or technical tools to support EBP. (M. Gray 1997 and IOM 2003)

What makes Clinical Linkages programs successful?
Lisa Sams has more than 30 years of experience as an advanced practice nurse in both clinical and academic settings. She has trained with leaders in the world of EBP. But perhaps most important, she understands the work environment of the clinician is a critical variable for success of EBP hence the creation of Clinical Work Assessment (CWA) Blueprint©. [link here to the AHRQ abstract]

Built on the Effectiveness research CWA provides a team approach using evidence to improve care by using a Blueprint to guide and measure change It is a proven method that provides a systematic, realistic process for implementing EBP in a clinical unit, and has been presented at several national medical conferences. Perhaps most important, it is based in the reality of the unit’s work environment and culture—assuming and planning for the likely obstacles and barriers to implementation.

All of the programs offered by Clinical Linkages are scalable solutions. From an overview of EBP to a review of library resources to actually training clinicians how to use evidence and overcome barriers to implementation— we are here to provide solutions tailored to your needs. Click on Services to learn more.

I’m not sure what our organization needs. How do I know what workshop or service would be best?
A complimentary phone consultation is the best first step to determine what results you are looking to achieve and the best route to achieving them. Our Introduction to EBP workshops are a great way to expose a lot of staff members to EBP. Our Building an Evidence-Based Unit workshop will help your organization develop the structure it needs to begin the EBP journey. And for those with some EBP structure already in place, the Creating Your Evidence Blueprint workshop will help set the practice in motion.

We offer other Services to support your EBP journey as well—and remember everything is tailored to your organization’s unique needs. Again, calling us for a complimentary consultation is the best way to determine what solutions are most suitable.

We are working to establish Magnet status at our hospital. How can Clinical Linkages help?
We have worked with institutions striving to attain Magnet status from the American Nurses’ Credentialing Center (ANCC). Based on your organization’s stage of EBP development, we can provide the full-day training on the fundamental steps of how to build, establish and maintain EBP councils if this is your starting point, to a review of the system you have in place to support evidence translation into patient care. We will work at your point of interest and need.

We are interested in scheduling one of the full day workshops. How does this work?
It is our recommendation you schedule a meeting with the key stakeholders where we outline the best fit for your organization. In our past experience, a committed team, with background in EBP, can replicate our step-by-step system quickly and easily with the leadership and infrastructure support in place. If the baseline assessment indicates areas where additional groundwork would ease the work of implementation we can work with you to define outcome measures that are essential for your organization and establish a plan to fit those requirements.

To start, simply call us for a complimentary phone consultation. We will discuss the best way to arrange the training for your team, and arrange the dates and times for our team to visit your institution.