Clinical decisions essay

Evidence-based decision making is a prescriptive approach to making choices based on ideas of how research and theory can be used to improve decision making in regards to delivery and quality of patient care. According to Nursing and Midwifery Council (2008a, p.7), nurses are now required to use evidence based practice.

One needs to assess the impact not only on the basis of money and resources, but also what happens if that particular decision is not taken. In doing so it would be important to maintain your objectivity. While gathering and evaluating information people fail to realize how biased they are.

Internal and external variables such as the nurse's personal experience, knowledge, creative thinking ability, education, self concept, as meshed with the nurses' working environment, and situational stressors all can work to enhance or inhibit effective clinical decision making for a nurse.

(O’Reilly, 1993) Clinical decision-making is defined as the ability to sift and synthesize information, make decisions, and appropriately implement those decisions within a clinical setting. Practicing nurses must effectively identify and solve the problems of patient diagnosis and treatment by using such a model.