Dr. McElroy’s extensive background is rooted in a rigorous academic and clinical training regimen that commenced with his medical education at the University of Tennessee Health Sciences Center in Memphis. Subsequently, he completed his residency at the Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston, an institution renowned for its involvement in evidence-based clinical practices and innovative healthcare delivery. His formative years in medicine also included a crucial tenure at Beauford Memorial Hospital in South Carolina, where his immersion in primary care laid a foundation for patient-centered approaches.

Most recently, Dr. McElroy practiced with the Permanente Medical Group’s Mid-Atlantic States division, covering the metropolitan areas of Washington, D.C., and Northern Virginia. Here, he not only provided comprehensive care to a broad patient population but also held leadership responsibilities as an assistant service chief, enhancing team-based care models and optimizing clinical workflows. This experience equips him with a systemic understanding of healthcare dynamics and operational excellence that he brings to the Ochsner Novant Health 65 Plus initiative.

The timing of Dr. McElroy’s appointment coincides with crucial demographic shifts in the United States. According to projections from the U.S. Census Bureau, by 2034, for the very first time in the nation’s history, adults aged 65 and over will outnumber children under 18. This demographic inversion imposes unprecedented demands on healthcare delivery systems, particularly primary care, which serves as the cornerstone of preventive and chronic disease management for older adults. Pensacola itself reflects these trends, with census data indicating that over 21% of its local population is aged 65 or older, surpassing the national average.

The Ochsner Novant Health 65 Plus program is designed to respond effectively to these demographic realities by providing customized primary care that integrates medical management with holistic wellness strategies. Patients engaged in this program benefit not only from condition-specific medical oversight but also from ancillary services aimed at enhancing quality of life and maintaining functional independence. Examples include group fitness sessions calibrated for varying levels of mobility and cardiovascular health, culinary demonstrations that emphasize nutritional optimization, and social activities such as line dancing and arts and crafts, which engage cognitive and motor skills.

Furthermore, the inclusion of health coaching as a core component of the clinic’s offerings leverages behavioral science principles to encourage sustainable lifestyle modifications. This multidimensional approach is integral in managing prevalent geriatric syndromes like frailty, polypharmacy, and cognitive decline. It curtails the need for frequent hospitalizations by fostering proactive health management and early intervention.

From an operational perspective, the Ochsner Novant Health 65 Plus – Bellview site is strategically located at 5998 Mobile Highway, a facility equipped to support a spectrum of integrated healthcare services tailored for the geriatric population. The clinic operates not merely as a medical venue but as a community hub, thereby reinforcing social connectivity, which research has consistently linked to improved health outcomes and reduced mortality rates in elderly cohorts.

Dr. McElroy encapsulates a patient-centered ethos, emphasizing collaborative formulation of personalized care plans. His philosophy underlines the dual aims of mitigating disease burden and enabling patients to maximize their functional potential and overall life satisfaction. This aligns with contemporary models of age-friendly health systems that prioritize patient autonomy, respectful communication, and adaptability to individual preferences.

The emergence of such specialized primary care programs is also reflective of larger shifts in healthcare delivery paradigms, prompted by innovations in digital health technologies, data analytics, and interprofessional collaboration. These advances facilitate ongoing monitoring of chronic conditions, predictive risk stratification, and timely resource allocation, all critical in managing the multifaceted needs of older patients.

Complementing the clinical facet, Ochsner Novant Health 65 Plus extends its community engagement through digital platforms, including an active Facebook presence, enhancing patient education and facilitating seamless communication channels. This digital integration serves to bridge gaps in accessibility, a key factor given mobility challenges often experienced by the elderly.

Looking at the organizational collaborators, Novant Health represents a vast network of over 900 locations, inclusive of hospitals, clinics, urgent care centers, and specialized outpatient services across North and South Carolina. Their systemic expertise and ongoing commitment to clinical trials, research innovation, and care model transformation underscore the high-quality framework supporting the 65 Plus initiative.

Ochsner Health, the nonprofit powerhouse in the Gulf South with a commendable reputation for excellence, further reinforces the program’s credibility. With a workforce exceeding 40,000 members and a track record of consecutive rankings as a top hospital system, Ochsner’s involvement assures patients of access to devoted professionals and cutting-edge medical infrastructures.

In synthesis, the integration of Dr. Brandon M. McElroy into Ochsner Novant Health’s 65 Plus program exemplifies a strategic and forward-thinking response to the aging population’s healthcare demands. Through specialized primary care intertwined with wellness initiatives and community participation, this model demonstrates a holistic paradigm in geriatric medicine, foreshadowing the future of sustainable, empathetic, and effective elderly care.

Subject of Research: Primary care and comprehensive healthcare model development for aging populations.

Article Title: Dr. Brandon M. McElroy Joins Ochsner Novant Health 65 Plus – Bellview to Advance Specialized Geriatric Care in Pensacola.

News Publication Date: Not explicitly stated in source content.

Web References:

• https://www.ochsner.org/65pensacola
• https://www.novanthealth.org/about/our-impact/community-health-needs
• https://www.ochsner.org/
• https://www.facebook.com/Ochsner65PlusFlorida/
• http://www.novanthealth.org/

Image Credits: Credit: Ochsner Health

Keywords: Health care, Primary Care, Geriatric Medicine, Aging Population, Preventive Medicine, Wellness Programs, Chronic Disease Management, Integrated Healthcare, Patient-Centered Care, Community Health, Healthcare Innovation

At the core of Keck Hospital’s operational philosophy lies an intense focus on the quality of patient care, a facet that has garnered increasing acknowledgment year over year as reflected in its improved standings in the comprehensive Vizient evaluation framework. Dr. Stephanie Hall, Chief Medical Officer of Keck Medical Center of USC, emphasizes that this distinction validates the hospital’s mission to provide safe, personalized, and effective medical care. Keck’s upward trajectory in these assessments signals the organization’s successful integration of evidence-based clinical practices and relentless quality improvement initiatives.

Vizient, a preeminent healthcare performance improvement enterprise in the United States, conducts an annual Quality and Accountability Study that rigorously measures hospital performance across multifaceted domains. This systematic and data-driven approach scrutinizes each institution’s outcomes in safety protocols, mortality rates, clinical effectiveness, operational efficiency, patient-centeredness, and variability in care delivery. Such comprehensive metrics ensure that only those facilities demonstrating excellence across diverse parameters are honored.

Particularly impressive is Keck Hospital’s near-perfect score in patient centeredness, an evaluative metric which encapsulates patients’ subjective perceptions of their hospital experience. This component utilizes data drawn from a nationally recognized instrument—the Hospital Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems Survey (HCAHPS)—to measure factors including communication quality, responsiveness of hospital staff, pain management, and the cleanliness and quietness of the hospital environment. Achieving such a high patient-centeredness ranking bespeaks an institution’s ability not only to treat diseases but also to foster empathetic, respectful, and holistic care environments.

Marty Sargeant, CEO of Keck Medical Center, underscores the significance of such recognition by framing it as a testament to the rigorous methodologies deployed by Vizient in performance benchmarking. He asserts that excelling comprehensively across all examined categories places Keck Hospital among the safest and most patient-focused hospitals in the country. This characterization reflects an advanced institutional culture combining clinical excellence with operational precision and patient advocacy.

Keck Hospital’s sustained quality performance can be understood within the context of its integration with data analytics and real-time quality monitoring systems. The organization’s ability to assimilate datasets from multiple sources—including Centers for Disease Control and Prevention databases and internal quality assurance reporting mechanisms—facilitates proactive risk identification and mitigation. Such systems contribute to reductions in hospital-acquired conditions, readmissions, and mortality, factors critical to patient safety and outcome optimization.

Moreover, the hospital’s recent attainment of the Spring 2025 “A” Hospital Safety Grade from The Leapfrog Group marks another significant milestone. The Leapfrog Group operates as an independent, nonprofit watchdog entity that utilizes rigorous evaluation criteria to assess patient safety standards across U.S. hospitals. Keck Hospital’s receipt of its tenth “A” grade since 2019 reflects decade-long consistency in risking mitigating strategies, error reduction initiatives, and the maintenance of a vigilant safety culture.

Tom Bates, Chief Quality Officer for Keck Medicine, connects these achievements to the broader ecosystem of Keck Medicine of USC, which encompasses four hospitals and numerous outpatient care sites. The layered benefits of this integrated health system enable knowledge exchange, aligned clinical protocols, and coordinated patient safety measures that elevate care standards system-wide. The hospital’s sustained recognition across multiple safety and quality platforms signals a model of scalable healthcare excellence.

Keck Hospital, a 343-bed acute care facility, serves as a pivotal component within the University of Southern California’s expansive medical enterprise. Its academic affiliation enables a robust bidirectional flow of cutting-edge research and clinical innovation, fostering adoption of evidence-based best practices in patient care delivery. This symbiosis drives continual advancements in clinical pathways that enhance both effectiveness and efficiency.

The recognition period for the Vizient Quality Leadership Award spans a full fiscal year, from July 1, 2024, through June 30, 2025, reflecting a sustained pattern of high performance rather than isolated achievement. Such longitudinal assessment underscores the hospital’s ability to embed quality as a fundamental operational imperative rather than a transient focus. This approach is critical in the complex, evolving landscape of healthcare quality assurance.

In the broader national context, Keck Hospital’s achievements underscore ongoing shifts toward value-based care models that prioritize not only clinical outcomes but also the patient experience and safety. As healthcare systems grapple with challenges such as rising costs, population health disparities, and technological integration, the exemplar standards demonstrated by Keck offer a replicable blueprint for institutions seeking to enhance comprehensive care quality.

Keck Hospital’s multifaceted recognition highlights the interplay between rigorous data-driven evaluation, cultural commitment to quality, and strategic institutional leadership. These interconnected elements drive advancements that ultimately translate into improved patient safety, satisfaction, and outcomes. As the healthcare industry increasingly adopts sophisticated quality metrics and patient-centered models, institutions like Keck stand at the forefront of innovation and excellence.

For more information about Keck Medicine of USC and its quality initiatives, please visit news.KeckMedicine.org.

Subject of Research: Hospital quality performance and patient-centered care evaluation.

Article Title: Keck Hospital of USC Recognized as a Top Performer in Vizient’s 2025 Quality Leadership Award.

News Publication Date: Not specified (Recognition period July 1, 2024 – June 30, 2025).

Web References:

• https://www.keckmedicine.org/about/keck-hospital-of-usc/
• https://www.vizientinc.com/who-we-serve/members/member-awards
• https://news.keckmedicine.org/keck-hospital-of-usc-receives-10th-a-leapfrog-safety-grade/

Keywords: Health care, hospital quality, patient-centered care, hospital safety, Vizient Quality Leadership Award, clinical effectiveness, patient experience, healthcare performance improvement, academic medical center, value-based care.

Each year, over 100,000 individuals in the United States undergo mastectomy as part of their breast cancer management. PMRT remains a cornerstone in the curative approach for many, especially those at elevated risk for locoregional recurrence due to nodal involvement or aggressive tumor characteristics. By precisely delivering ionizing radiation to the chest wall and regional lymphatic basins, PMRT aims to eradicate microscopic residual disease that eludes surgical removal, thus lowering recurrence risk and improving survival outcomes in this vulnerable population. The newly updated guidelines synthesize contemporary evidence with evolving techniques to optimize patient-specific decision making.

Radiation oncologists and allied specialists face the complex challenge of balancing therapeutic efficacy against inevitable treatment-related toxicities. This updated guideline leverages advances in diagnostics, including refined imaging modalities and molecular profiling, to stratify patients by recurrence risk more accurately than previously possible. The outcome is a tailored treatment algorithm that recommends PMRT predominantly for patients with confirmed nodal metastases, while carefully delineating scenarios where radiation omission may be judiciously considered for low-risk individuals. This embodies a shift toward precision medicine, minimizing overtreatment and its sequelae.

Central to these recommendations is the recognition that the benefits of PMRT are not uniform across all breast cancer phenotypes and clinical presentations. The expert panel emphasizes the importance of integrating tumor size, nodal status, response to systemic therapies, and patient age into the risk assessment framework. For instance, patients with node-negative disease but high-risk tumor features such as large primary tumor size or younger age may derive meaningful benefit from chest wall irradiation alone. Conversely, small tumors without nodal involvement rarely warrant PMRT unless compounded by multiple high-risk pathological factors, underscoring a more nuanced approach than the binary decisions of the past.

The guidelines articulate evidence-based strategies for patients receiving neoadjuvant systemic therapy as well, a population whose management presents unique challenges. PMRT is advised for patients presenting with locally advanced disease or those who exhibit residual nodal disease after chemotherapy, reflecting the dynamic interplay of systemic and locoregional treatments. This integration acknowledges that the tumor’s biological response to systemic agents fundamentally influences the necessity and extent of radiation, illustrating the iterative nature of modern oncologic care.

Dosimetric parameters and fractionation schedules are meticulously addressed, with a strong endorsement for moderate hypofractionation over conventional fractionation in most cases. Hypofractionation—which delivers higher doses per fraction over fewer sessions—has been validated through multiple trials to be equally effective while enhancing patient convenience and resource utilization. The guidelines also delineate scenarios warranting radiation boost techniques targeting the chest wall or axillary nodes, such as when substantial residual disease persists. These technical recommendations represent a synthesis of clinical evidence and state-of-the-art radiobiological principles.

In pursuit of maximizing therapeutic ratio, the expert panel advocates for advanced radiation delivery technologies. CT-based volumetric planning constitutes the standard of care to enable precise delineation of target volumes and critical normal tissues. Moreover, intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) is recommended to sculpt dose distributions that conform to complex anatomical contours, thereby sparing adjacent organs and reducing adverse effects. Daily image guidance and respiratory motion management strategies, such as deep inspiration breath hold, are increasingly recognized for their role in enhancing treatment accuracy, particularly in patients with left-sided breast cancers where cardiac exposure is a concern.

The guideline update moves beyond technical considerations to underscore the paramount importance of shared decision making. This holistic approach involves close collaboration among surgical, medical, and radiation oncologists alongside patients, ensuring that treatment plans incorporate patient preferences, values, and lifestyle factors. Such an inclusive model acknowledges the psychosocial impact of breast cancer treatment and aligns therapeutic choices with individualized goals of care, ultimately fostering patient empowerment and adherence.

Developed by a diverse panel of experts, including academic and community oncologists, medical physicists, and even a patient representative, this guideline reflects a comprehensive and interdisciplinary perspective. It is underpinned by a systematic review of literature spanning nearly two decades, ensuring that recommendations are grounded in robust and up-to-date scientific evidence. The guideline also enjoys endorsements from prominent bodies such as the American Society of Breast Surgeons and the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Radiologists, further cementing its global relevance.

Fundamentally, the updated guideline addresses previously unresolved questions in the field, setting the stage for further research to address gaps in knowledge, such as optimal radiation parameters for emerging breast cancer subtypes and long-term effects in survivors. It is a vital tool for clinicians seeking to navigate the complexities of PMRT in an era increasingly defined by personalized medicine and technological innovation.

ASTRO, ASCO, and SSO continue to reaffirm their commitment to advancing breast cancer treatment through evidence-based guidelines, education, and advocacy. As radiation oncology becomes ever more integral to multimodality cancer care, these clinical practice recommendations provide a compelling roadmap to enhance patient outcomes with precision, safety, and compassion.

Subject of Research: People
Article Title: Postmastectomy Radiation Therapy: An ASTRO/ASCO/SSO Clinical Practice Guideline
News Publication Date: 16-Sep-2025
Web References:

• https://www.practicalradonc.org/article/S1879-8500(25)00120-1/
• https://doi.org/10.1200/JCO-25-01747
• https://doi.org/10.1245/s10434-025-18057-3
• http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.prro.2025.05.001

Keywords: Breast cancer, Radiation therapy, Chemotherapy, Mastectomy, Personalized medicine, Clinical studies

Enterostomy in neonates—which involves creating a stoma to divert bowel contents—can profoundly disrupt nutrient absorption and fluid balance due to factors such as an inadequate length of functioning intestine, compromised motility, immature intestinal development, and nutrient loss from the stoma itself. These disruptions frequently result in malnutrition, poor growth trajectories, metabolic imbalances, and carry the risk of life-threatening complications such as electrolyte disturbances and infections. Despite these known challenges, existing neonatal nutritional guidelines fall short in offering disease-specific, comprehensive management protocols for infants undergoing enterostomy, leaving clinicians without clear, evidence-driven directives.

Recognizing this critical gap, the interdisciplinary research team led by Dr. Mingyan Hei from Beijing Children’s Hospital, alongside experts from Peking University and Wenzhou Medical University, meticulously conducted a systematic review of 64 domestic and international studies. Utilizing the robust GRADE (Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation) methodology, they developed the Postoperative Nutrition Support in Neonates with Enterostomy guideline (PONS-NE), which addresses 10 key clinical questions, culminating in 22 authoritative recommendations covering enteral and parenteral nutrition strategies as well as postoperative follow-up care.

A cornerstone of the PONS-NE guideline is the early initiation of enteral nutrition, which is emphasized particularly for neonates undergoing enterostomy due to congenital defects. Careful consideration is given to individualized feeding volumes, calibrated based on an infant’s birth weight and preoperative nutritional status, with distinct protocols for infants weighing above or below 1,000 grams. Such precision in feeding volume aims to maximize nutrient absorption while minimizing intestinal stress and feeding intolerance.

Furthermore, the guideline elevates breast milk as the gold standard for enteral feeding, reflecting its unparalleled immunological and nutritional benefits. When maternal breast milk is unavailable, donor human milk is recommended as the second-best option. In instances where neither breast milk nor donor milk can be sourced, the guideline advises the use of customized infant formulas tailored to the neonate’s clinical condition and feeding tolerance. These may include hydrolyzed protein formulas, preterm infant formulas, or standard infant nutrition formulas, each offering distinct advantages based on digestive maturity and metabolic needs.

An intriguing aspect of the PONS-NE recommendations lies in the incorporation of specific nutritional supplements designed to optimize intestinal adaptation and reduce complication risks. For infants demonstrating adequate intestinal tolerance, the guideline suggests the adjunctive use of fish oil-based enteral fat emulsions. These emulsions have demonstrated potential in promoting weight gain, reducing bloodstream infection risks, and mitigating the severity of cholestasis—an often problematic liver condition associated with prolonged parenteral nutrition.

Mucous fistula refeeding (MFR), another innovative postoperative strategy, is also addressed. This technique involves recycling the effluent from the proximal stoma back into the distal bowel segment, effectively promoting intestinal rehabilitation and nutrient salvage. However, the guideline advocates for a cautious, multidisciplinary approach to MFR, underscoring that its application must be carefully evaluated and supervised jointly by neonatologists and pediatric surgeons to ensure patient safety.

Monitoring and management of intravenous fluid therapy, a vital aspect of postoperative care, are given significant attention within the PONS-NE. Neonates with enterostomy are particularly susceptible to fluid imbalances due to high-output stomas and altered physiological demands. The guideline recommends that intravenous fluid volumes be meticulously adjusted according to multiple parameters including infant age, weight, stoma output, and urine output. This dynamic approach aims to prevent both dehydration and fluid overload, thereby mitigating associated morbidities.

In parallel with fluid management, the guideline underscores the importance of parenteral nutrition enriched with fish oil-containing lipid emulsions and essential micronutrients such as zinc, iron, calcium, vitamin B12, as well as fat-soluble vitamins A, D, and K. This comprehensive nutritional strategy ensures that metabolic demands are met, supports organ function, and compensates for the losses incurred through the enterostomy.

Determining the optimal timing for stoma closure has long been a subject of clinical debate. The PONS-NE guideline offers clear recommendations, identifying 12 weeks postoperative as the ideal timeframe for stoma closure, with cautions against closure before eight weeks unless clinically necessary. In scenarios characterized by high-output stomas precipitating severe fluid and electrolyte disturbances, the presence of stoma-related complications, or parenteral nutrition-associated cholestasis, earlier surgical intervention may be warranted to reduce morbidity.

Beyond immediate postoperative care, the guideline significantly emphasizes long-term follow-up as a critical component of neonatal management post-enterostomy. Given the heightened risk for infections and neurodevelopmental delays in this patient group, routine monitoring of growth parameters such as body weight and developmental milestones is advised. The establishment of multidisciplinary follow-up teams within hospital systems is championed to provide comprehensive surveillance and timely interventions, facilitating optimal developmental trajectories and reducing adverse outcomes.

The development and dissemination of the PONS-NE guideline herald a transformative shift towards standardized, evidence-based nutritional care in neonates with enterostomy. By consolidating scattered clinical evidence into an accessible and actionable format, the guideline aims to reduce practice variability, minimize postoperative complications including infection and liver disease, and ultimately enhance survival and quality of life for affected infants. The hope is that global adoption of these recommendations will cultivate consistency in care and improve prognoses for this delicate neonatal subgroup.

Dr. Hei articulates the overarching vision of the project succinctly: “Enterostomy in infants may lead to complications which are aggravated by a lack of disease-specific guidelines. Our primary goal was to create practical, evidence-based guidance aimed at improving growth, long-term survival, and development of neonates.” Complementing this, Dr. Qi Feng reiterates the paramount importance of tailored nutritional interventions, while Dr. Zhenlang Lin highlights vigilant fluid management as critical to reducing postoperative morbidity. Together, their collaboration exemplifies the fusion of clinical insight and rigorous research necessary to advance neonatal care frontiers.

As neonatology continues to evolve, integrating such focused guidelines into routine clinical practice marks a significant stride in mitigating the inherent risks of neonatal surgeries. The PONS-NE guideline, grounded in robust evidence and clinical expertise, paves the way for more nuanced, individualized nutritional support protocols that confront the unique metabolic challenges faced by infants with enterostomy. This progress epitomizes the potential of evidence-based medicine to reshape outcomes in neonatal critical care and offers a beacon of hope for countless families navigating this challenging clinical landscape.

Subject of Research: Not applicable
Article Title: Clinical guideline for postoperative nutrition support in neonates with enterostomy (2024)
News Publication Date: 1 August 2025
Web References: http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/ped4.70016
References: DOI: 10.1002/ped4.70016
Image Credits: Dr. Mingyan Hei from Beijing Children’s Hospital, Capital Medical University, China
Keywords: Nutrition counseling, Dietary counseling, Health counseling, Clinical medicine, Health care, Human health, Health care policy

The study highlights an urgent imperative within the nursing profession to embrace evidence-based practices, which are essential for enhancing patient outcomes and improving healthcare efficiency. As healthcare systems worldwide grapple with challenges, the pressure mounts to ensure that nurses are well-equipped with the requisite skills and knowledge to apply the best available evidence in clinical settings. This study provides essential insights into how Turkish nurses stand on this front and what elements shape their competency.

From the outset, it is noteworthy that the study design reflects a comprehensive approach, implemented across multiple centers. This multicenter framework not only augments the statistical power of the findings but also allows for a diverse representation of the nursing community, thereby offering a well-rounded view of the situation. Understanding the varying levels of competence among nurses in different healthcare settings can reveal critical insights into systemic barriers and opportunities for advancement in practice.

One of the fundamental aspects explored in the study is the disparity in competency levels among nurses of different ages, tenures, and specialties. These variables often dictate how effectively nurses can engage with evidence-based literature and transform theoretical knowledge into practical applications. For instance, younger nurses who have recently completed their education may possess up-to-date knowledge regarding current best practices but may lack the practical experience to implement them effectively. Conversely, senior nurses often bring extensive experience but may struggle to incorporate new findings into their established routines.

The study also underscores the importance of ongoing education and professional development in maintaining competency in evidence-based practices. Lifelong learning initiatives emerge as vital to bridging the competencies gap. Educational programs tailored specifically to enhance nurses’ understanding and confidence in evidence-based practice can empower them to take a more active role in patient care decisions. This connection between education and practice highlights the necessity for healthcare institutions to invest in the continuous training of their nursing workforce.

However, the research reveals that simply providing educational resources is insufficient. There are underlying institutional factors that significantly influence the applicability of evidence-based practices within nursing. Leadership support, workplace culture, and resource availability are essential components that determine whether nurses can translate their knowledge into clinical improvements. Institutions with strong leadership that emphasizes a culture of evidence-based practice create an environment where nurses feel supported in making informed decisions.

Moreover, the study sheds light on the challenges posed by workload and staffing ratios, which can act as substantial barriers to the effective implementation of evidence-based practices. Many nurses report feeling overwhelmed by their responsibilities, which leaves little time for engaging with scholarly articles or participating in evidence-based training. This condition raises a fundamental question: How can healthcare organizations prioritize nurse wellbeing while fostering a culture of evidence-based practice? The study advocates for a balanced approach where staffing models are aligned with evidence-based care objectives, allowing nurses to engage fully with their roles.

Another critical finding of the study pertains to the perception of evidence-based practices among nurses themselves. There exists a prevailing attitude that evidence-based practice is a burden rather than a beneficial tool for enhancing patient care. Changing this perception is vital to ensure that nurses recognize the value of incorporating research onto their daily practice. Engaging nurses in discussions about the impact of evidence-based practices on patient outcomes can shift this mindset, making it an integral part of nursing culture rather than an external imposition.

The research’s implications extend beyond nursing practice; they resonate with healthcare policymakers who strive to advance care quality across populations. Understanding the factors that influence nurse competency in evidence-based practices provides policymakers with valuable insights for developing more effective strategies that bolster nursing education and workforce planning. Ensuring that nurses are empowered to engage in ongoing professional development and emphasizing the importance of evidence-based practice can lead to improved healthcare outcomes on a broader scale.

In conclusion, G. Yurdagül’s multicenter study serves not only as a barometer for the competence status of nurses in evidence-based practices but also as a call to action for healthcare organizations, educational bodies, and policymakers. By investing in the competencies of nurses and fostering a robust culture of evidence-based practice, the healthcare system can secure a more reliable future for patient care delivery. The insights drawn from this research highlight the interconnectedness of nursing competencies and healthcare outcomes, urging all stakeholders to prioritize continuous improvement in nursing practice.

This investigation into nursing competences reveals a myriad of dimensions that warrant further exploration and action, reiterating that at the heart of healthcare are the professionals who tirelessly dedicate themselves to patient care. The study seeks not only to define the current state of nursing competency in evidence-based practices but also to inspire change and advancement for the betterment of healthcare as a whole.

Subject of Research: Competence status of nurses in evidence-based practices and influencing factors

Article Title: Examining the competence status of nurses in evidence-based practices and the influencing factors: a multicenter study in Turkey.

Article References:

Yurdagül, G. Examining the competence status of nurses in evidence-based practices and the influencing factors: a multicenter study in Turkey.
BMC Nurs 24, 1064 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12912-025-03732-3

Image Credits: AI Generated

DOI:

Keywords: evidence-based nursing, nurse competency, healthcare quality, professional development, Turkey