Open Forum

UPDATE: We had some initial issues with the first survey question to verify a respondent is not a robot.  The issue has been fixed so if you had any problems accessing the full survey we do hope you will give it another try!  Thank you!!

Are we still using outdated nursing practices in ambulatory care? 🩺

Evidence-based practice (EBP) isn't just about starting new habits. It's also about stopping old ones that no longer serve our patients.

While inpatient data is everywhere, low-value practices in ambulatory care remain under-researched. The AAACN Research Committee is launching a research initiative to change this-and we need your perspective to improve the value of our care.

What you need to know:

·   🏥 Eligibility: Open to all ambulatory care nurses

·   ⏱️ Time: This is a deep-dive, 20-minute comprehensive survey.

·   💪 Impact: Your insights will help us identify targets for de-implementation and eliminate frustrating, outdated practices.

👉 Shape our practice here:  https://linfield.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_4Hqdx5S1AZN9w6a

Your voice is the data we are missing. Thank you for investing your valuable time to elevate our specialty!

I took the survey! Though I note some interesting things: for example, the USPSTF recommendations against routine breast self exam is contradictory to expert opinion and potentially harmful when breast cancer rates are well documented as increasing in younger populations. As a young breast cancer survivor, I know my oncologist who is highly active in research and education has presented high-quality evidence for changing this guideline to the USPSTF. 
Also, using saline flushes to lock ports is based on low-quality evidence according to Cochran review. In my own practice, where we have been using saline locks for ports starting this year, we have noted a substantial increase in the need for declotting procedure/TPA which is representing an increase in cost, time spent in port management procedures, and patient dissatisfaction - even with high-quality pulsatile push-pause flushing with 20mL of NS monthly and after each access. I'm curious to see what further studies will show with this change in practice. There wasn't a good place to note professional insights in the survey, so I thought I would note them here in case it's of interest. 

Thank you so much Heather for sharing your perspectives. We are collecting these for review, and we are adding a new row to our survey to gather additional perspectives. 

We appreciate the time you took to share them with us!