Firstly, evidence-based practice implies a combination of the knowledge gained via practical experience and scientific research, and these matters define the selection of the applicable treatment (Stout & Hayes, 2004). This approach ensures the understanding of the concept while applying the tested principles to provide a high quality of healthcare and increase the effectiveness of the treatment and patient satisfaction. In this case, the prevention strategies of pressure ulcers based on the EBP are used as an example. It remains apparent that the theoretical principles state that ulcers can be reduced by minimizing the volumes of pressure that the body experiences while being immobile (Health Quality Ontario, 2009).
This aspect implies that the position of a patient has to be changed to decrease the percentage of the pressure ulcer’s occurrence. Nevertheless, the evidence-based practice reveals that specialized mattresses can be used as an alternative due to their effectiveness and convenience (Health Quality Ontario, 2009). The application of this strategy is beneficial for the health condition of a patient, medical personnel (less working hours), and the overall high quality of healthcare. In the end, the evidence-based practice implies that each patient requires an individual approach, as the turning schedule might not be applicable for all of the patients while the specialized mattresses decrease the occurrence of this medical phenomenon. Nonetheless, further research is vital to finalize the appropriateness of the mattress as a prevention strategy, as the practices have limitations and cannot be applied to every patient.
The second example is related to the utilization of Foley catheters while relying on the EBP to eliminate the infections and determine its effectiveness in the context of the pressure ulcers prevention strategies. Foley catheter is a medical instrument, which is used to minimize urinary retention and to decrease the occurrence and possibility of pressure ulcers (Mody, Saint, Galecki, Chen, & Krein, 2010). Nonetheless, the usage of this approach is often associated o with urinary infections due to the lack of theoretical and practical knowledge among personnel (Mody et al., 2010). The scientific research implies that Foley catheters could be regarded as a part of ulcer prevention therapy while it has to be maintained clean to avoid the expansion of the infection. The nurses and other medical personnel have to comply with the safety regulations such as using antiseptics and assuring hand hygiene before and after contact with a patient (Mody et al., 2010). It could be said that the evidence-based practice underlines the importance mentioned in the theoretical prospects while highlighting the beneficial utilization of catheters to minimize urinary retention, but the presence of the advantageous influence is unclear while assessing it as a part of the ulcer prevention therapy (Mody et al., 2010). In the end, the evidence-based practice highlights that Foley catheters can be used as a component of pressure ulcer therapy. Meanwhile, it is critical to follow all the required steps and guidance for its maintenance to avoid the development of dangerous infections.
References
Health Quality Ontario. (2009). Pressure ulcer prevention: An evidence based analysis. Ontario Health Technology Assessment Series, 9(2), 1-104.
Mody, L., Saint, S., Galecki, A., Chen, S., & Krein, S. (2010). Knowledge of evidence-based urinary catheter care practice: Recommendations among healthcare workers in nursing homes. Journal of the American Geriatrist Society, 58(8), 1532-1537.
Stout, C., & Hayes, R. (2004). The evidence-based practice: Methods, models, and tools for mental health professionals. Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley & Sons, Inc.