Ideally within the last 5 years. Journals and websites must be cited appropriately. Citations and references must adhere to APA format.
Select one of the models presented in this unit. (IOWA MODEL)
Describe how this model would be effective for implementing EBP and/or best practices in the practice, administration, or education setting.
Consider how you might introduce this change.
What barriers might you confront?
Full Answer Section
- EBP is based on the best available evidence, which includes both research findings and clinical expertise.
- EBP is an ongoing process that requires continuous evaluation and improvement.
The Iowa Model consists of six steps:
- Identify the problem or opportunity. This step involves identifying a clinical problem or opportunity for improvement. The problem or opportunity can be identified by healthcare professionals, patients, or other stakeholders.
- Ask a clinical question. Once a problem or opportunity has been identified, the next step is to ask a clinical question. The clinical question should be specific, focused, and answerable.
- Search for evidence. The next step is to search for evidence to answer the clinical question. This can involve searching for research studies, clinical guidelines, and other sources of information.
- Appraise the evidence. Once the evidence has been gathered, it is important to appraise the quality and relevance of the evidence. This involves evaluating the study design, methodology, and results.
- Integrate the evidence with clinical expertise and patient preferences. The next step is to integrate the evidence with clinical expertise and patient preferences. This involves considering the patient's individual needs and values, as well as the healthcare professional's own knowledge and experience.
- Evaluate and improve the practice change. Once a practice change has been implemented, it is important to evaluate its effectiveness and make improvements as needed. This involves collecting data on patient outcomes and satisfaction, as well as feedback from healthcare professionals and patients.
Example of using the Iowa Model
Here is an example of how the Iowa Model can be used to improve patient care:
Problem or opportunity: A nurse on a medical-surgical unit is concerned about the high rate of hospital-acquired infections (HAIs) on the unit.
Clinical question: What are the most effective interventions for reducing the risk of HAIs in medical-surgical patients?
Search for evidence: The nurse searches for research studies on HAIs in medical-surgical patients. She finds a number of studies that show that hand hygiene and environmental cleaning are effective interventions for reducing the risk of HAIs.
Appraise the evidence: The nurse evaluates the quality and relevance of the research studies. She finds that the studies are well-designed and that the results are consistent.
Integrate the evidence with clinical expertise and patient preferences: The nurse discusses the evidence with other healthcare professionals on the unit. They decide to implement a hand hygiene education program for all staff and to increase the frequency of environmental cleaning.
Evaluate and improve the practice change: The nurse collects data on the rate of HAIs on the unit after the practice change is implemented. She finds that the rate of HAIs has decreased significantly.
Benefits of the Iowa Model
The Iowa Model offers a number of benefits for healthcare professionals and patients. Some of the benefits include:
- Improved patient outcomes. The Iowa Model can help healthcare professionals to improve patient outcomes by ensuring that they are using the best available evidence to guide their practice.
- Increased patient satisfaction. Patients are more likely to be satisfied with their care when they know that their healthcare professionals are using the best available evidence to make decisions.
- Reduced costs. The Iowa Model can help healthcare professionals to reduce costs by helping them to avoid unnecessary tests and treatments, and to choose the most cost-effective interventions.
- Improved quality of care. The Iowa Model can help healthcare professionals to improve the quality of care by ensuring that they are using the best available evidence to guide their practice.
Conclusion
The Iowa Model is a valuable tool for healthcare professionals who are committed to providing evidence-based care to their patients. The model is easy to use and can be adapted to any clinical setting.
Sample Answer
The Iowa Model of Evidence-Based Practice (EBP) is a systematic approach to using research findings to improve patient care. The model was developed by Marita Titler in the 1990s and has since been widely adopted by healthcare professionals around the world.
The Iowa Model is based on the following principles:
- EBP is a process, not a single event.
- EBP is a collaborative effort between healthcare professionals and patients.