Evidence Based Care

Evidence based care (EBC)is health care that is supported by the literature to be the best of what we currently know to work. Knowledge of what works can be useful when creating guidelines for care. Additionally community based care as what is standard in the community, and like evidence based care can be another type of practice guideline. Heath care facilities may practice using EBC, also know as best practices. There is significant amount of literature about what we know works best. Some things just waste time and money and frustrate patients who are looking for a solution.

Health care reform and cost cutting will begin to require doctors to use more EBC and best practices. That seems reasonable. Many doctors and hospital already do with conditions like heart attack and diabetes. Pain on the other hand is a different story. Although we know what works with pain, a lot of things that dont work are routinely done over and over. For example epidural steroid injections for back pain is not indicated as effective treatment. It is for back and leg pain but not just back pain.Back surgery has is own inclusion criteria and when not adhered to can cause a lifetime of pain and disability.

Talk to your doctor about EBC and best practices when they recommend a treatment option. Look up information on the internet. Be informed before agreeing to something. There are no quick fixes that dont come with a risk.

The links below will get you going in the right direction:

http://www.ahrq.gov/clinic/epcix.htm
http://www.colorado.gov/cs/Satellite/CDLE-WorkComp/CDLE/1248095315991
http://www.guideline.gov/
http://www.qualitymeasures.ahrq.gov/