Standard 8 - Evidence Informed Practice
Standard 8 - Evidence Informed Practice
Respiratory Therapists (RTs) integrate an evidence-informed approach into all aspects of patient/client care.
Performance Requirements
RTs:
- Utilize current evidence related to patient/client care.
- Evaluate current evidence using critical thinking and professional judgment to determine the relevance to patient/client care.
- Incorporate relevant evidence into decision-making related to patient/client care.
- Advocate for the integration of current evidence, knowledge, best practices, and clinical guidelines into their clinical practice.
- Assess the impact of their clinical interventions on patient/client care and make adjustments accordingly.
- Must refrain from making a representation about a remedy, treatment, device or procedure for which there is no generally accepted scientific or empirical basis.
Patient/Client Expected Outcome
Patients/clients can expect that their care from RTs is informed by decision-making based on current information and research.
Related Standards
- Patient/Client Assessment & Therapeutic Procedures
- Professional Responsibilities
Related Resources
- National Alliance of Respiratory Therapy Regulatory Bodies. (2016). National Competency Framework for the Profession of Respiratory Therapy. Part 1. National Standards for Entry-to-Practice. Available at: https://nartrb.ca/download/ncf-part-i-entry-to-practice-2016.
- National Alliance of Respiratory Therapy Regulatory Bodies. (2024). National Competency Framework. Available at: https://nartrb.ca/national-competency-profileframework/
- Nova Scotia Regulator of Respiratory Therapy. (2008) NSRRT Code of Ethical Conduct. Available at: https://nsrrt.ca/professional-practice/code-of-ethics
Glossary
Evidence-informed refers to “practice that is based on successful strategies that improve client outcomes and are derived from a combination of various sources of evidence, including client perspective, research, national guidelines, policies, consensus statements, expert opinion, and quality improvement data.”[1]
Patient/client refers to “individual, group, community or population who is the recipient of respiratory therapy services and, where the context requires, includes a substitute decision-maker for the recipient of respiratory therapy services.[2]
[1] College of Respiratory Therapists of Ontario (2021). A Commitment to Ethical Practice. Available at https://ethics.crto.on.ca/
[2] College of Respiratory Therapists of Ontario. (2021). A Commitment to Ethical Practice. Available at: https://ethics.crto.on.ca/