Evidence-based nursing practice with persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities

Evidence-based practice can be found in almost every professional arena in healthcare today. The term evidence-based nursing (EBN) has been used in nursing since the mid-1990s, although some researchers note its use as early as Florence Nightingale. The Honor Society of Nursing, Sigma Theta Tau International, defines EBN as an integration of the best evidence available, nursing expertise, and the values and preferences of the individuals, families, and communities who are served. Nursing has a long history and is one of the earliest disciplines to provide services to individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD). This paper provides a brief historical overview of evidence-based practice (EBP), a review of EBN in the context of I/DD nursing, and an explanation of the five basic steps used in EBN. An overview of the literature on EBP in I/DD nursing and a clinical example of the use of EBN practice to promote positive outcomes for persons with I/DD are presented