Best-practice statements: should we use them?

Best-practice statements aim to facilitate evidence-based practice and improve care quality. They may improve care provision when developed using systematic, rigorous methods but there is no standardised approach for this and the support available may be limited. Methods used to develop, implement and monitor statements are not always transparent, and evaluation of their impact is inadequate. This article discusses their use as tools to facilitate evidence-based practice and improve care, and the factors that can constrain or promote this.