Leading (or best) practice

[JulieBoolie]

I hope you guys can help. I am working on a new computer program that will be redesigning how we document. I am being asked to research various subjects and then provide the leading evidenced based practice. Are there any resources out there that are not horribly difficult to use? Thanks!

[highlandlass1592, BSN, RN]

I'm not sure what you're looking for..are you talking about a search engine? Database query?

[tewdles, RN]

you are not going to be successful in redesigning anything until you can clearly communicate your ideas, needs, goals, plan, etc.

from this communication it is NOT at all clear what you are looking for...

[iNurseUK, RN]

Programming language? Documentation style? WHAT?

[JulieBoolie]

I am looking for a database(s) where I can research leading practice on various nursing subjects. What is confusing about the question? Would appreciate serious replies and not dismissive remarks please. I am asking for assistance. Thank you.

[GHGoonette, BSN, RN]

Relax! People are just asking for more info on the type of thing you're looking for! I suppose you've already tried the AN search engine; list the things you've been asked to research so people can advise you on specifics...

[K+MgSO4, BSN]

Huh? Remember your first rule of documentation, write like you are describing the scene to a lay person with no medical/nursing knowledge.

I'm sure you are up to your ears in stuff about this but the rest of us are not sure what you are on about. We need a little clarification and explaination.

[mappers]

Have you tried MircoMedex, UptoDate, CINNAHL, OVID? Most university libraries with med schools/nursing schools have online search engines to search articles and research

[HamsterRN, ADN, RN]

One of the best overall sources of Evidence based practice is the Cochrane Collaboration which uses meta-analyses to make recommentaions, although most are focused on general medicine, some do address nursing practice.

The Joanna Briggs Institute has been good source of Nursing specific best practice, although it's library is still relatively small. Luckily, the two have combined forces in the form of the Cochrane Nursing Care Field which was started last year.

Since anything useful from the new Cochrane group is still a ways off, good sources of best practice recommendations currently available include Moseby Nurse Consult, the Institute for Healthcare Improvement, the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, and professional practice groups like the AACN.

[JulieBoolie]

Well through hard work and computer searches, I am getting the information I need. I want to thank those who gave me some good sites to check. And tell those with the crappy attitute, I'm glad I don't work with you.

[grandmawrinkle]

Hey, this is just a suggestion --

It sounds like from what you wrote you are doing the computer end of it (the informatics, programming, etc. from what I understand.)

From what I've seen, usually those people (even if they are RNs) don't figure out what is best practice. They just do the documentation piece of it.

Best practice usually comes from CNS's, nurse managers in applicable areas, etc. or someone else with a few extra letters behind their name or at least the job description with the ability to make changes to the policy/procedures. If I'm not reading into this too much, that doesn't sound like it's you.

Figuring out how to do things based on best evidence/practice is serious business and if you are wrong, can be a serious liability. To make practice recommendations facility wide, I really think you need to know what you are doing. If you aren't comfortable doing literature reviews and weeding out data or at least using cookie-cutter procedure sites like Lippencott, this is probably not a project you should be taking on.