I am very impressed with the work of the Evidence-Based Practice Resource Work Group (EBPRWG)1 in its change regarding how AACN evaluates evidence for practice. Nursing knowledge is generated in many fashions and the evidence used to make decisions that impact patient care needs to value nonresearch evidence and qualitative studies.
The new evidence-leveling system with letters takes away the bias that only quantitative research is scientific. I will use this new table in my lessons to nursing staff about how to evaluate information for evidence-based nursing practices along with their clinical expertise, patient values, and their preferences to give the best quality of care.
The item “M” is important in most practice settings like mine. We rely on manufacturers to give us information on safe use of products until there is adequate published research for identifying best practices.
Thanks for providing a very useful tool in evaluating evidence...