[Evidence-based medicine in internal guideline development in a general hospital--the Park-Clinic EbM-Project]

Evidence-based medicine (EbM) is despite its historical roots still a young concept that is quite relevant in everyday work, but yet little used. The first hospital specific approach to implement EbM into the health care system and daily clinical practice in Germany is recorded in the project of the Park-Klinik Weissensee (Berlin). Implementation and execution of EbM into daily routine should be reached through five steps which should result in better quality of treatment of the patients: 1. EbM-Training for hospital staff; 2. EbM-Search (= access to electronic databases and EbM-information); 3. Guideline-Committee (= hospital committee for the development of clinical practice guidelines); 4. EbM-Recommendation (= use of EbM-information in discharge letters) and, finally 5. EbM-Events (= vocational trainings for hospital physicians and general practitioners). Although project duration is yet quiet short, first results allow to look into the future with confidence. At the same time it can be recognized how long and difficult the way for all participants will be to reach evidence-based information and communication. The "Park-Klinik EbM-Project" can make an important contribution to health care services research in Germany.