The Importance of Evidence-Based Practice

The College of Nursing at Ohio State recognizes the importance of evidence-based healthcare to drive the best patient care and outcomes. Evidence-based practice (EBP) is a decision-making approach that brings together evidence from research, field expertise and patient preferences. Out of all western countries,  the United States spends the highest amount of money on healthcare, yet the country only ranks 37 in health outcomes. There are 200,000 to 400,000 deaths a year due to medical errors in the United States, making them the third leading cause of death.

A study led by Bernadette Melnyk, PhD, RN found that evidence-based practice can lower the amounts of deaths caused by medical errors. While patients that receive evidence-based healthcare have a 28% better outcome, which is significant in the healthcare community, the study also showed that knowledge and practice of evidence-based healthcare resulted in higher levels of competency in nurses.

Melnyk serves as the vice president for Health Promotion, university chief wellness officer, professor and dean of the College of Nursing and executive director of the Helene Fuld Health Trust National Institute for Evidence-based Practice in Nursing and Healthcare.

Ohio State’s College of Nursing has a goal to make evidence-based healthcare a common practice among organizations. This improves healthcare quality and safety, patient outcomes and lowers cost.

So how can you be part of the change?   

Through this evidence-based practice massive open online course (MOOC) at Ohio State, you will learn the foundations of evidence-based practice from experts in the field. This foundations course empowers healthcare leaders to implement evidence-based practice in their healthcare organization.