AACN Levels of Evidence: What’s New?

The revised AACN grading system includes more recent study designs and minimizes confusion with other grading systems.

With the tremendous emphasis on the importance of basing nursing care decisions on the best available evidence to promote the highest quality of care for patients and families, evidenced-based practice has become a common phrase in health care.¹ Although evidence is most often supported by research, other forms of evidence such as case studies and expert opinion are considered valuable when research is lacking. Strength of the evidence has also been the focus of attention because not all research studies are equal in quality.² Levels of evidence or grading systems to rank research studies and other forms of evidence have been developed to offer practitioners a reliable hierarchy to determine the strongest evidence. Evidence is used by practitioners to guide practice related to disease management or skills. As a leader in...