The nurse is part of a team working on a project to reduce 30-day hospital readmissions for heart failure. The team consists of a social worker, pharmacist, cardiologist, case manager, dietitian, and yourself. After conducting a review of the literature on best practices to reduce 30-day readmissions for heart failure, the team reassembles to review the findings. Each team member wants to know what the evidence shows for a particular reason. The social worker wants to know what support services are needed to help the patient at home. The pharmacist wants to know which medications are the most effective in maintaining a balance for the patient. The cardiologist wants to know the evidence that influences his decisions about prescribing and ordering care. The nurse wants to know what evidence shows which interventions and education are important for the patient.

1.

What are the ideal types of evidence for each team member’s focus?

2.

What are the implications if each member brought only one piece of evidence rated at a level 4 or level 5? Would this be considered the best available evidence?