To make informed decisions, any individual and his or her doctor need EVIDENCE!
Learn here more about what Evidence-Based Medicine, Comparative Effectiveness Research and STAT!Ref have in COMMON...
Evidence-based medicine (EBM) is a systematic approach to clinical problem solving which allows the integration of the best available research evidence with clinical expertise and patient values.1
EBM is the foundation for Comparative Effectiveness Research (CER) which compares available treatment options utilizing a range of research methods including randomized controlled trials, observational studies, and systematic reviews, a structured assessment of evidence available from multiple primary studies.
NOTE: "Comparative Effectiveness Research: Plans, Promises and Pitfalls" will appear in a Discovery Channel CME series beginning this Saturday, August 20th. The series is designed to educate healthcare workers about CER and it potential impact on them and their patients, and the evolving work on study design, interpretation and future research needs with a particular focus on areas that would most directly affect physicians. Check your local listings for the exact air time.
WHY IS THIS IMPORTANT and HOW CAN STAT!Ref HELP?...
As recently highlighted in the Wall Street Journal article,"Mistakes in Scientific Studies Surge," now more than ever, it is important for healthcare professionals to be armed with the most up-to-date authoritative and current guidance for quality patient care.
STAT!Ref offers up-to-date Evidence-Based Medicine Resources, Guidelines and Alerts regarding Patient Safety and Quality Improvement (PSQI):
I. ACP PIER® (Physicians' Information and Education Resource) -a collection of over 400 evidence summaries that updates regularly with supplements; published by the American College of Physicians, each module provides authoritative guidance to improve the quality of care.
II. STAT!Ref Evidence Alerts - this system provides e-mail delivery and access to evidence-based medicine (EBM) information from current research of over 130 premier clinical journals. The Alert system works with McMaster University to deliver pre-rated EBM alerts that are qualified, then rated for clinical relevance and new-worthiness by a panel of practicing physicians.
III. Joint Commission Resources -The Joint Commission is a private, not-for-profit organization dedicated to continuously improving the safety and quality of care provided to the public.
- Credentialing and Privileging Your Hospital Medical Staff: Examples for Improving Compliance
- Environment of Care Essentials for Health Care - 2010
- Essential Guide for Patient Safety Officers, The
- Infection Prevention and Control Issues in the Environment of Care
- Medication Reconciliation Handbook
- Meeting the Joint Commission's 2011 National Patient Safety Goals
- Toolkit for Preventing Health Care-Associated Infection
Additionally, STAT!Ref offers access to 2 journals from Joint Commission - these journals deliver authoritative, regulary updated compliance information about quality improvement and patient safety standards and they give healthcare organizations the tools, strategies and proccesses to enablecompliance with the National Patient Safety Goals.
IV. Patient Safety and Quality Improvement (PSQI) Titles in these subspecialities:
Infection Prevention and Control
1. Sackett DL, Strauss SE, Richardson WS, et al. Evidence-based Medicine: How to Practice and Teach EBM. London: Churchill-Livingstone, 2000.



