Topic 1 DQ 1
Identify two areas of nursing practice, which evidence-based practice has improved patient
outcomes. State the study and its impact on patient care. How have these findings changed your
nursing practice? Please support your response with a minimum of two supporting peer reviewed
articles.
Many of the practices that nurses use daily are the result of evidence-based practice changes that
have developed in order to improve patient outcomes.
Foley catheters are one example of a
nursing practice that has a high rate of infection, which can lead to both longer hospital stay and
increased cost.
Multiple studies have shown that by decreasing the use of indwelling Foley
catheters, there has been a decrease in infection rate and medical cost.
One such study showed
that through the use of evidence guided practice, and revamped policies and procedures, annual
savings exceeded $52,000/year (Oman, et.al., 2012) in one hospital alone.
Another area that has
shown improved maternal and fetal outcomes is the use of magnesium sulfate infusion for
patients with preeclampsia or eclampsia.
