Measuring the Success of Evidence-Based Practice: A Practical Guide

Evidence-based practice (EBP) integrates the best research evidence with patient values and clinical expertise. Effective EBP utilizes the five A's to locate the best evidence: Assess, Ask, Acquire, Appraise and Apply. Once you apply the EBP and put it into place, you need to evaluate its effectiveness and measure the outcomes: key steps in improving EBP.

Things You'll Need

• Data
• Goals of evidence-based practice
• IRB approval, if necessary

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Instructions

• 1

  Determine the goals of the evidence-based practice you wish to utilize and measure. With a defined set of goals or objectives, the evaluator can measure a defined outcome.

• 2

  Collect the data from patients who received the EBP in question. You may need IRB approval before beginning this process.

• 3

  Take the collected data and evaluate it using a defined set of outcome measures. Outcome measures can represent the effectiveness of treatment, practice management and quality of care. You can determine the evaluation method by the data collected; they can include statistical analysis, patient interviews or chart review.