To ensure ethical practice, nurses must demonstrate the use of evidence-based practice. This approach involves integrating clinical expertise with the best available research evidence and patient values to guide decision-making. By relying on evidence-based practice, nurses can provide care that not only adheres to ethical standards but also promotes positive patient outcomes. This practice signifies a commitment to utilizing the most current and reliable information available, which is essential in a rapidly evolving healthcare environment.
In addition, the application of evidence-based practice helps to minimize bias and subjectivity that could arise from personal beliefs or institutional pressures, thereby supporting ethical principles such as beneficence, non-maleficence, and justice. This alignment with evidence and research fosters trust and assures patients that care is being delivered based on the highest standards of scientific inquiry, rather than solely on personal or anecdotal evidence.