Using evidence-based practice in providing care

Case managers are in prime positions that enable them to implement initiatives, which may lead to evidence-based practice. The possibilities abound regardless of the setting; case managers are charged with the delivery of patient care in the most efficient manner. When the best care is given to patients within the shortest time frame, everyone benefits--the patients and their families, case managers and other staff, and the entire organization. The various tools used to coordinate patient care--protocols and pathways--can be readily used to collect data in a standard way; this is a vital step in initiating evidence-based practice. Initiatives leading to evidence-based practice require several phases: obtaining evidence, monitoring the use of evidence, and evaluating the use of evidence in practice. This article will describe the use of evidence-based practice for case managers and demonstrate the steps to ensuring successful implementation in patient care activities.