In order to evaluate an evidence-based practice project, it is important to be able to determine the effectiveness of the change. The implementation of a practice change in healthcare and nursing is usually done with the expectation that desirable outcomes are achieved hence the need to carry out an evaluation to determine that the EBP change expected actually occurred. Outcomes in healthcare and nursing are either patient-related or process-related. Examples of process related outcomes include more efficient patient care, discharge plans, and reduction in readmissions. Patient outcomes are classified as psychosocial, physiologic, or functional. Psychosocial outcomes are changes in the patient’s quality of life, improved perception of care, and changes in depressive and anxiety symptoms ( Umass Medical School , 2018). Physiologic outcomes include a reduction in complications and improved well-being. On the other hand, functional outcomes can be increased mobility, exercise, and general physical performance of the patient.
One of the methods used in the assessment of evidence-based practice projects is peer review. Peer review is a process through which practicing healthcare professionals (physicians and nurses) methodically evaluate, monitor, and formulate appraisals about the quality of care delivered by their peers in reference to the professional standards of practice (Cisic & Frankovic, 2015). The main objective of peer review is to ensure the quality of nursing care in the safe application of newly discovered evidence-based practices in conformity with the established standards of practice. As is established under the Peer Review Guidelines and the American Nurses Association Code of Ethics for nurses, the evaluation is conducted by individuals of the same rank as the nurse or group of nurses that delivered the care. The main focus is on ensuring the standards of nursing practice are maintained while upgrading nursing care in terms of quality and safety of patient care, practice advancement, and role actualization (Cisic & Frankovic, 2015).
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Peer review guidelines provide that peer review is done by individuals of the same rank, is practice-based, and that feedback is timely, routine, face-to-face, and incorporates nurse’s developmental stage (Cisic & Frankovic, 2015). In this sense, therefore, peer review does promote a continuous learning culture of patient safety and best practice. Ultimately, peer review helps address the effectiveness of a practice change, reliability, and boundaries of duty for all nurses with a view to preserve integrity and safety, maintain competence, and advance personal and professional growth (Haag-Heitman & George, 2011).
References
Cisic, R. S., & Frankovic, S. (2015). Using nursing peer review for quality improvement and professional development with focus on standards of professional performance. Nursing and Health , 3 (5), 103-109. doi:10.13189/nh.2015.030501
Haag-Heitman, B., & George, V. (2011). Nursing peer review: Principles and practice. Am//erican Nurse Today , 6 (9), 48-52. Retrieved from http://www.mghpcs.org/eed_portal/Documents/ProfDev/Nursing-Peer-Review-Article.pdf
Umass Medical School (2018, October 19). Evidence-based nursing: Outcome evaluation. Retrieved from https://libraryguides.umassmed.edu/c.php?g=499777&p=3422178
