Evidence-based cardiovascular nursing practice: Why? For whom? Where and how?

Generally speaking, “evidence-based” practice should take into account: 1) practice recommendations that emerge from studies with rigorous designs in accordance with known standards, 2) the expertise of health care professionals in a specific field, 3) the experience, values and preferences of women, men, families and groups requiring care (McMurray, Theobald, & Chaboyer, 2003). While some authors refer to the “notion of evidence,” others prefer to stress the importance of interventions based on “full knowledge of the facts” while others yet speak of “best practices” (Baldwin & Nail, 2000; Ciliska, 2006; DiCenso et al., 2005; Jenicek & Stachenko, 2003; Estabrooks, 2004; Loiselle, Profetto-McGrath, Polit & Beck, 2007; Morin & Leblanc, 2002). What unites these terms is the contribution of evidence to the advancement of knowledge of a practice based on informed decisions so the best care possible (diagnosis, treatment options and follow-up) is delivered to a specific population.