Resources for Assisting Nurses to Use Evidence as a Basis for Home Care Nursing Practice

Resources are needed throughout the process of implementing evidence-based practice from the initial search for evidence through the evaluation of outcomes. Administrative support is a critical resource for any change to occur and be maintained. This article describes the resources that are available and that may be useful at different phases of the evidence-based practice process. For example, to find prepared literature syntheses and guidelines, nurses need either a medical librarian or expertise in using computerized bibliographic databases. Tools are described for use in (a) critical appraisal of literature and guidelines and (b) evaluation of the context in which a practice change is being considered.