It was disconcerting to read the survey results regarding chief nursing executives and their use of evidence-based practice (EBP) in "Evidence-Based Care Is Highly Valued but Underused by Many Nurse Executives" (In the News, June). The first disturbing point was the very low response rate from nurses in positions of authority. I would guess that a significant majority of those receiving the survey had advanced nursing degrees. If nurse executives aren't interested in research enough to respond, how can we interest staff nurses to use research in their practice?

The second disturbing point was the actual responses of the 7% who did complete the survey. EBP validates the interventions and care we provide and supports best practices in nursing, yet "more than half" of the respondents acknowledged that EBP was only "somewhat" practiced at their institutions or "not at all." In response to another question, "more than half" indicated that they "hadn't recently reviewed or researched evidence-based guidelines," and that their top concern was "quality and safety." Have these executives missed the entire point of EBP?

If nursing is to be recognized by everyone in the health care industry, chief nursing executives must embrace EBP to ensure that quality nursing care is being practiced at their institutions. I implore staff nurses, shift supervisors, and unit managers to encourage the use of EBP in their workplaces; it doesn't appear that chief nurse executives are interested.

Andrea M. West, PhD, MS, BSN, RN

Centennial, CO