5/21/24: The Evidence-Based Practice: Nursing guide has a new URL. Please update your bookmarks accordingly.
The process of Evidence-Based Practice (EBP) can be broken up into 5 phases, called the 5 A's of EBP. Those phases are as follows.
Step 1: assess the patient or the problem in front of you.
Step 2: ask or identify the most important question, using the most appropriate question framework.
Step 3: acquire the best available evidence to help you answer the question.
Step 4: appraise the evidence to decide if it's applicable to your patient or scenario.
Step 5: apply the solution to your patient or problem.
EBP is a never-ending process, whether you're using it for patient-care or systems improvement. Each problem or situation should be reassessed to make sure the solution still works and to make sure new problems are addressed.
The 6-S Hierarchy of Pre-Appraised Evidence
Summaries
E.g. evidence summaries and clinical practice guidelines
Synopses of Syntheses
E.g. synopses of systematic reviews
Syntheses
E.g. systematic reviews
The Cochrane Library is a unique source of reliable and up-to-date information on the effects of interventions in health care. Published on a quarterly basis, the Cochrane Library is designed to provide information and evidence to support decisions taken in health care and to inform those receiving care. Download the user guide.
Note: Steps to create a personal account when off campus:
1. Go directly to the Cochrane library website [bypassing your Tower ID authentication].
2. Use the "Sign in" link in the top right corner to either login to an existing account or create a new account.
a. New Accounts: Complete the registration process and SJSU email validation. Then login to your account
b. Existing customers: Log in using your Cochrane Library personal login and password.
3. When you successfully login, this information will appear in the top right corner as Signed in as "your name"
4. Once you complete this login, then return to The Cochrane Library using the link that requires your Tower ID authentication.
Synopses of Studies
E.g. synopses of individual research studies
Studies
Primary literature, i.e. individual research studies