Locating Credible Databases and Research

Create a 2-4 page resource that will describe databases that are relevant to EBP around one of the diagnoses found in the provided PDF supplement and could be used to help a new hire nurse better engage in EBP.
Introduction
Evidence-based practice (EBP) integrates the best evidence available to guide optimal nursing care, with a goal to enhance safety and quality. EBP is crucial to nursing practice because it incorporates the best evidence from current literature, along with the expertise of the practicing nurse. The concern for quality care that flows from EBP generates a desired outcome. Without these factors, a nurse cannot be an effective leader. It is important to lead not only from this position but from knowledge and expertise. To gain the knowledge, you require a good understanding of how to search for scholarly resources, as well as identify which databases and websites are credible for the purposes of implementing evidence-based changes in practice.
Your Online E-Portfolio
Creating an ePortfolio is not required in the BSN program, but you may find it helpful to create one to attach to your professional resume while job hunting. Online ePortfolios serve two key purposes: 1) to support learning and reflection, and 2) to be used as a showcase tool. Your learning journey can be documented, and ePortfolios contribute to lifelong learning and growth through reflection and sharing. Online ePortfolios can also be shared with employers and peers to present artifacts that demonstrate your accomplishments at Capella.
Professional Context
As a baccalaureate-prepared nurse, you will be responsible for providing patient-centered, competent care based on current evidence-based best practices. You will be required to do research, analysis, and dissemination of best evidence to stay abreast of these best practices. Understanding where to go to find credible sources and locate evidence, as well as which search terms to use, is the foundation of incorporation of best practices.
Scenario
You are supervising three nurses working on the medical-surgical floor of a local teaching hospital. This hospital is nationally recognized as a leader in education and has a computer lab with an online library where staff has access to medical research databases (that is, CINAHL, PubMed, Medline, and Cochrane library) and online sources of all hospital policies, procedures, and guidelines, and computers at nurse workstations that also have access to these resources. (For this scenario, use the Capella University Library to simulate the hospital's online library.) You have given the nurses their patient assignments and you have all participated in shift report. A new nurse who just completed orientation and training a week ago approaches you and tells you that one of the assigned patients has a diagnosis he or she is very unfamiliar with. Knowing that patient-centered care based on best practices is imperative to positive patient outcomes, you want to assist this nurse to find research that can be utilized to provide the best care for this patient. Describe how you would communicate with this nurse to encourage him or her to research the diagnosis. Assume you will assist in the quest to locate evidence, then describe where you would go within the facility and what resources you would look for. These resources may include websites, journals, facility policies or guidelines, or any other sources of online information.
• To select the diagnosis for the patient in this scenario, review the three diagnoses presented in the Assessment 01 Supplement: Locating Credible Databases and Research [PDF] Download Assessment 01 Supplement: Locating Credible Databases and Research [PDF]resource and select one. You will use this same diagnosis to complete the next two assessments.
Create a list of at least five sources that could be used to find evidence, with the best source listed first, and explain why the sources you chose are best to find evidence for the diagnosis you chose and the clinical scenario. You are only evaluating the sources of evidence (database, website, policy database or website, journal article, et cetera). You are not actually completing a search and selecting evidence. Consider the following examples: a nursing journal in CINAHL may not be the best source of evidence for information on how to administer medications through a central-venous catheter, whereas a hospital policy database found on a website may not be the best source of information on caring for a patient with a rare chromosomal abnormality.
Preparation
To help ensure you are prepared to complete this assessment, review the following resources related to the Capella library. These resources will provide you an overview of the types of tools, resources, and guides available in the library. This may be useful in forming a better understanding of the library to apply to the hypothetical situation laid out in the scenario of this assessment.
• BSN Program Library Research Guide.
• Evidence-Based Practice in Nursing & Health Sciences.
• Databases A-Z: Nursing & Health Sciences.
• Get Critical Search Skills.
Remember, it is also appropriate to look toward databases and resources outside of the Capella library, such as organizational policies, professional organizations, and government health care resources.
You are encouraged to complete the Evaluating the Credibility of Evidence activity. This activity offers an opportunity to practice evaluating the credibility of evidence. These skills will be necessary to complete Assessment 1 successfully and is for your own practice and self-assessment. Completing this activity is also a way to demonstrate course engagement.
instructions
The purpose of this assessment is to understand where to find evidence that can be applied to clinical scenarios and to learn effective communication and collaboration with clinical staff during the process of evidence location. As a baccalaureate-prepared nurse, you will not only use research for self-improvement in your clinical role, but you will also serve as a mentor to supervised nursing staff. Therefore, you will need to be able to communicate and collaborate effectively to guide them toward resources to find research, as well as support them through the initial evidence location process. In doing so, nurses can gain access to evidence that can be analyzed and utilized to stay current on best practices. This allows them to provide safe, patient-centered care and improve patient outcomes.
For this assessment:
• Describe your role as a baccalaureate-prepared nurse supervising clinical staff nurses with regard to communication and collaboration in locating evidence for application to a nursing practice scenario.
• Compile a list of five online databases or other online sources (that is, websites, journals, facility policies or guidelines, et cetera) that can be used to research evidence to apply to the diagnosis in this scenario and describe to which of these you would direct a nurse colleague to search for evidence.
• Describe where you might go in the work place to complete this research and how you would access the desired, relevant research within research databases or other online sources.
Be sure to address the following in this assessment, which correspond to the grading criteria in the scoring guide. Please study the scoring guide carefully so that you will know what is needed for a distinguished score.
o Describe communication strategies to encourage nurses to research the diagnosis/practice issue, as well as strategies to collaborate with the nurses to access resources.
o Describe the best places to complete research and what types of resources you would want to access to find pertinent information for the diagnosis/health care issue within the context of a specific health care setting.
o Identify five sources of online information (medical journal databases, websites, hospital policy databases, et cetera) that could be used to locate evidence for a clinical diagnosis/practice issue.
o Explain why the sources of online information selected should provide the best evidence for the chosen diagnosis/health care issue.
o Communicate using writing that is clear, logical, and professional with correct grammar and spelling using current APA style.
Note: While you are not selecting and evaluating specific evidence to help with the clinical diagnosis/practice issue, you should still be citing the literature and best practices to support your description of your communication and collaboration approach. Additionally, it is appropriate to cite best practices related to EBP and evaluating databases to support your explanation as to why you selected the five sources of online information that you did.


o Explain why the sources selected should provide the best evidence for the chosen diagnosis/health care issue.
• Competency 2: Analyze the relevance and potential effectiveness of evidence when making a decision within the context of a specific health care setting.
o Describe the best places to complete research within the workplace environment and what types of resources one would want to access to find pertinent information for the diagnosis/health care issue.
• Competency 4: Plan care based on the best available evidence.
o Identify five sources of online information (medical journal databases, websites, hospital policy databases, et cetera) that could be used to locate evidence for a diagnosis/health care issue and three out of five should be specific to the diagnosis/health care issue.
• Competency 5: Apply professional, scholarly communication strategies to lead practice changes based on evidence.
o Describe communication strategies to encourage nurses to research a diagnosis/health care issue, as well as strategies to collaborate with the nurses to access resources.

Full Answer Section

     

Building a Strong Foundation in EBP: A Guide for New Nurses

Introduction

Evidence-based practice (EBP) is the cornerstone of quality nursing care. It integrates the best available research evidence with clinical expertise and patient preferences to deliver optimal patient outcomes (Melnyk & Fineout-Overholt, 2019). As a baccalaureate-prepared nurse, you have a responsibility to stay abreast of current research and integrate it into your practice. This guide will equip you with the knowledge and resources to become a champion of EBP in your workplace.

Your Role as a Supervisor and EBP Mentor

Your role as a supervisor extends beyond assigning tasks and ensuring patient safety. You are also a mentor, fostering a culture of continuous learning and EBP among your colleagues. When a new nurse encounters an unfamiliar diagnosis, effective communication and collaboration are crucial. Here's how you can guide them:

  • Open Communication: Start by creating a safe space for open communication. Encourage the nurse to ask questions and express concerns without fear of judgment.
  • Active Listening: Actively listen to their concerns and assess their understanding of the diagnosis.
  • Shared Learning Journey: Frame the research process as a collaborative learning journey. Explain the importance of EBP in providing optimal care.

Collaboration and Resource Navigation:

  • Understanding Needs: Work with the nurse to identify specific areas where evidence-based information is needed.
  • Tailored Resource Selection: Based on the diagnosis, guide them towards the most appropriate resources.

Exploring Resources within the Facility

The hospital library or online resources likely provide access to a wealth of credible databases:

  • CINAHL (Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature): A comprehensive database specializing in nursing and allied health research (CINAHL Complete, n.d.).
  • PubMed: A vast resource for biomedical and life sciences literature, including nursing research (U.S. National Library of Medicine, n.d.).
  • Cochrane Library: Provides high-quality, systematic reviews and meta-analyses on various healthcare interventions (Cochrane Library, n.d.).

Beyond Databases: Additional Resources

In addition to research databases, consider these valuable resources:

  • Hospital Policy and Procedure Manuals: These provide evidence-based guidelines for specific patient care protocols within your facility.
  • Professional Association Websites: Many professional nursing organizations offer clinical practice guidelines and research summaries on various diagnoses.
  • Government Websites: Government agencies like the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) offer evidence-based resources on various health topics (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2024).

Selecting the Best Sources: A Case Study Approach

Let's consider a scenario. A new nurse on your team is caring for a patient with a diagnosis of Heart Failure (HF). Here are five resources, prioritized for finding the best evidence:

  1. CINAHL: This database excels in nursing research and provides access to peer-reviewed articles on HF management strategies, patient education approaches, and best practices.
  2. Cochrane Library: Cochrane Reviews offer high-quality systematic reviews summarizing the latest research on HF treatment options and their effectiveness.
  3. JACC: Journal of the American College of Cardiology: This prestigious journal publishes cutting-edge research on cardiovascular diseases, including HF. Studies on specific HF medications or interventions might be found here.
  4. American Heart Association (AHA) Website: The AHA website provides evidence-based guidelines for HF management, patient education materials, and the latest clinical practice recommendations.
  5. Hospital Heart Failure Management Protocols: Reviewing your hospital's specific protocols for HF patients ensures adherence to established guidelines and best practices within your facility.

Why These Sources?

  • CINAHL and Cochrane Library: These databases prioritize high-quality research, ensuring the information is reliable and current.
  • JACC: Journal of the American College of Cardiology: This peer-reviewed journal offers in-depth research on specific aspects of HF, providing a deeper dive into the topic.
  • American Heart Association Website: As a leading professional organization, the AHA provides evidence-based guidelines and resources directly applicable to clinical practice.
  • Hospital Protocols: These ensure consistency of care and adherence to evidence-based practices within your specific setting.

Conclusion

By mastering EBP skills and effectively collaborating with colleagues, you can become a driving force for positive change in your workplace. Remember, EBP is a lifelong journey. Embrace continuous learning, explore new resources, and empower your colleagues to do the same. Together, you can elevate the quality of care and improve patient outcomes.

References

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2024, June 06). Heart Disease. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

 

Sample Answer

   

Part 1: Introduction, Case Study

Case Study: Self-Driving Car Accident

Imagine a self-driving car traveling down a busy highway. An unexpected event occurs – a child darts out into the road. The car's programming is designed to prioritize passenger safety. However, in order to avoid hitting the child, the car must swerve, potentially causing a collision with another vehicle carrying multiple passengers. There is no perfect solution. The car's automated system must make a split-second decision that could result in harm to some, but not all, of the people involved.

Background Information (Adapted from Mill, J. S. (2017). Utilitarianism)

John Stuart Mill, a prominent philosopher, proposed the ethical theory of utilitarianism. Utilitarianism emphasizes maximizing overall happiness and well-being for the greatest number of people. In this situation, the car's decision-making process aligns with utilitarian principles by attempting to minimize total harm.