The Evidence-Based Practice (EBP) Committee is a joint committee of the Board of Directors and House of Delegates. The charge of the EBP Committee is to oversee the development and implementation of evidence-based practice, including the evidence analysis process and maintenance of the Evidence Analysis Library, development and publication of all Evidence-Based Nutrition Practice Guidelines and Toolkits and other products based on the results of evidence analysis. Below you will find the progress of the EBP Committee since June 2006:
General Operating Activities
- The Committee has conducted two conference calls and one meeting to manage committee business.
- The Committee approved the Program of Work for 2006-2007 and is working toward achieving its goals.
Activities Related to Evidence Analysis Process and Workgroups
- The Committee continues to refine the procedure for the approval of workgroup members for evidence analysis projects, including revisions to the Disclosure Form completed by workgroup nominees. A sub-committee meets monthly to manage workgroup selection for evidence analysis projects. Thus far, the sub-committee initiated two new workgroups for Nutrition Counseling and Vegetarian Nutrition and is preparing to initiate a workgroup for Fiber, also they have appointed five other replacement members to various workgroups.
- A procedure manual for evidence-based practice was developed by the Committee to house information related to the Committee and developing evidence-based resources. The manual will be updated continually.
- In order to identify areas for improvement in the Evidence Analysis Process, the Committee developed a plan to survey evidence analysis workgroups annually and after project completion.
- The Committee is developing a procedure for endorsing external evidence-based guidelines.
Activities Related to Guideline and Toolkit Development
- After conducting a Toolkit usability test through the Dietetic Practice-Based Research Network, the Committee revised and approved the Disorders of Lipid Metabolism Toolkit. The Toolkit, an electronic downloadable item, has been purchased by over 185 members and non-members since July 1, 2006 from the Evidence Analysis Library.
- A follow-up usability test for Disorders of Lipid Metabolism Toolkit was devised to re-test specific forms within the Toolkit and is currently underway. An article has been drafted and will be submitted to the Journal describing the test process and promoting the Toolkit.
- The Committee reviewed and approved the Critical Illness Evidence-Based Nutrition Practice Guideline for publication on the Evidence Analysis Library in September 2006.
- The Adult Weight Management and Critical Illness Toolkits are currently under development and will function as the companion materials for applying the Adult Weight Management and Critical Illness Evidence-Based Nutrition Practice Guidelines. These toolkits are targeted for completion in 2007.
- The Committee is overseeing the initiation and development of the Pediatric Weight Management, Oncology, Diabetes Type 1 and 2, and Hypertension Evidence-Based Nutrition Practice Guidelines this program year.
- The Committee approved a process for the review and revision of Evidence-Based Guidelines/Toolkits and evidence analysis projects.
- The Committee identified a model for determining new evidence analysis topics and questions. The review and prioritization of potential new projects will take place annually in January.
- The Committee refined the process and instrument for evaluating Evidence-Based Nutrition Practice Guidelines.
Dissemination Activities
- A sub-committee of the Committee was identified to work on dissemination and implementation initiatives throughout the program year, in order to promote evidence-based dietetics practice and ADA’s evidence-based resources.
- Committee members will present on the implementation of Evidence-Based Nutrition Practice Guidelines and Toolkits during the Clinical Nutrition Managers DPG conference on March 31-April 3, 2007.
- The Committee supported two evidence-based educational sessions at FNCE 2006: “Developing Evidence-based Guidelines Using the Nutrition Care Process and Model in the Bariatric Surgery Workgroup” and “Putting Evidence-based Guidelines into Practice: Examples from Critical Illness and Oncology.”
- The Committee submitted two evidence-based educational session proposals for FNCE 2007: “Implementing Evidence-Based Medical Nutrition Therapy for Diabetes and Using Evidence to Treat Overweight” and “Obesity: ADA’s Adult and Pediatric Weight Management MNT Guidelines.”
- The Committee proposed an interactive FNCE 2007 workshop to assist members in implementing evidence-based dietetics practice, the Nutrition Care Process and Standardized Language using ADA’s Evidence-Based Nutrition Practice Guidelines and Toolkits.
- The Committee proposed a combined evidence-based practice and Nutrition Care Process presentation for the seven Dietetic Educators of Practitioners (DEP) DPG Area Meetings in 2007.
Collaborations
- The Committee revised definitions for Evidence-Based Nutrition Practice Guidelines and Medical Nutrition Therapy Protocols in collaboration with input from the Nutrition Care Process/Standardized Language (NCP/SL) Committee, and requested that they be added to the Scope of Dietetics Practice Framework Definition of Terms.
- Evidence-Based Nutrition Practice Guidelines are a series of guiding statements and treatment algorithms which are developed using a systematic process for identifying, analyzing and synthesizing scientific evidence. They are designed to assist practitioner and patient decisions about appropriate nutrition care for specific disease states or conditions in typical settings.
- Evidence-Based Toolkits are a set of companion documents which are disease or condition specific and detail how the practitioner applies the Evidence-Based Nutrition Practice Guideline in practice. They include forms such as documentation forms, outcomes monitoring sheets, client education resources, case studies and MNT protocols for implementing the Evidence-Based Nutrition Practice Guideline. Evidence-Based Nutrition Practice Guidelines and Toolkits incorporate ADA’s Nutrition Care Process and Model as the standard process for patient/client care.
Key Considerations: Evidence-Based Nutrition Practice Guidelines and Toolkits are an online resource found on ADA’s Evidence Analysis Library at www.adaevidencelibrary.com.
- Medical Nutrition Therapy Protocols are a plan or set of steps, which are based on systematically analyzed evidence and clearly define the level, content, and frequency of nutrition care that is appropriate for a disease or condition in settings where clinical care is provided*. MNT Protocols are component of ADA’s Evidence-Based Toolkits and assist registered dietitians in the application of Evidence-Based Nutrition Practice Guidelines. They incorporate ADA’s Nutrition Care Process and Model the as the standard process and use the standardized language to document the patient/client care.
- *These may include but are not limited to: acute care facilities, sub acute facilities, post-acute facilities/rehab centers/skilled nursing facilities, continuing care retirement facilities/nursing facilities, home health care, clinics or physician offices, office of the medical nutrition therapist.
Key Considerations: Evidence-Based Nutrition Practice Guidelines and Toolkits are an online resource found on ADA’s Evidence Analysis Library at www.adaevidencelibrary.com.
- The Committee identified a sub-committee with members from the EBP, Coding and Coverage and NCP/SL Committees to clarify the physician referral process as it relates to the Nutrition Care Process.
- The Committee is collaborating with the FNCE Program Planning Advisory Committee in order to incorporate and clarify the standards for an evidence-based process within the FNCE presenter guidelines.
Communications
- The Committee promoted Evidence-Based Nutrition Practice Guidelines and Toolkits at several functions during FNCE 2006, including the State Affiliate meeting and at the Expo Demonstration Theater.
- The Committee members distributed informational flyers regarding evidence-based dietetics practice during several DPG functions during FNCE 2006.
- The Committee is working with the Marketing Team to promote Evidence-Based Nutrition Practice Guidelines and Toolkits. Communications include articles or advertisements in the Journal, CEO Digest House Calls, Behind the Scenes at ADA and DPG and Affiliate electronic mailing lists.
For additional information, please contact Marion Franz at MarionFranz@aol.com or Kari Kren at kkren@eatright.org or 800/877-1600, ext. 4877.
2006-2007 Evidence-Based Practice Committee
Marion J Franz, MS, RD, CDE, Chair
Kathleen C Niedert, MBA, RD, LD, FADA, Vice Chair
David Frankenfield, MS, RD
M. Patricia Fuhrman, MS, RD, LD, FADA
Elvira Q Johnson, MS, RD, CDE, LDN
Rita M Johnson, PhD, RD, LDN, FADA
Nancy M Lewis, PhD, RD, FADA
Kimberly Robien, PhD, RD, FADA, CNSD
Margaret J Tate, MS, RD
Kari Kren, MPH, RD, LD, ADA Staff Partner
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