Using Technology to Facilitate Evidence-Based Practice During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Area of Science:

• Health Informatics
• Nursing Science
• Public Health

Background:

• The COVID-19 pandemic presented significant challenges to the healthcare workforce.
• Critical information gaps were identified for frontline staff, particularly nurses, impacting patient care and self-care.
• The need for accessible, reliable information resources for nurses became paramount.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe the development and implementation of a web-based information resource for nurses.
• To address the specific information needs of nurses during infectious disease outbreaks.
• To provide guidance for healthcare institutions on establishing similar evidence-based practice tools.

Main Methods:

• Development of a web-based solution utilizing saved searches from PubMed.
• Focus on clinically relevant topics tailored to nurses' information requirements.
• Discussion of the resource's objectives, content, and usage patterns.

Main Results:

• A functional web-based resource was created to bridge identified knowledge gaps.
• The resource provided targeted, evidence-based information for nurses.
• The article outlines practical implementation strategies for healthcare facilities.

Conclusions:

• Web-based resources with curated searches can effectively support nurses during health crises.
• Implementing such tools enhances evidence-based practice among healthcare professionals.
• Hospitals can leverage similar strategies to improve preparedness for infectious disease outbreaks.