Evidence-based practice is the cornerstone of exceptional critical care nursing. I recently had the opportunity to attend the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses National Teaching Institute and Critical Care Exposition in Boston. I heard outstanding presentations and saw posters from critical care nurses who conducted original research on various topics affecting healthcare. Attending a professional conference is a great way for critical care nurses to stay current on the latest clinical findings in critical care.

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There are many ways to get involved and continue the dialogue on critical care best practices. Consider engaging your colleagues in a journal club or other evidence review forum. Subscribe to a peer-reviewed journal or professional eNewsletter. This issue of Nursing2018 Critical Care includes several clinical features examining the current evidence needed to achieve optimal patient outcomes in various aspects of critical care.

Did you know that 29% of older adults take 5 or more prescription medications? Age is a known risk factor for complications related to prescription drug therapies, so critical care nurses should be on the lookout for potential problems related to pharmacotherapy in the older adult. Kaplow and Griffiths describe the risks and provide advice for critical care nurses in Pharmacotherapy management incritically ill older adults (p. 20).

Deceased donor organ donation: The critical care nurse's role (p. 27) examines the assessment criteria nurses must use to refer a patient for organ donation and stresses the importance of empathy and cultural competency in conversations with the patient's family. Inhaled epoprostenol for acute respiratory distress syndrome (p. 6) endeavors to fill a gap in knowledge surrounding the efficacy of inhaled prostacyclin in the treatment of acute respiratory distress syndrome by evaluating the available literature.

Also in this issue, does your practice need a checkup on whether it is caring for patients who identify as LGBTQ in a compassionate and sensitive manner? Delivering LGBTQ-sensitive care (p. 14) provides a framework and best practices for clinicians to use, ensuring the highest quality of care for all patients.

It is the professional duty of every critical care nurse to be a lifelong learner and always stay current on the latest evidence-based practices. Let us know what topics you would like to review by emailing me at mailto:[email protected].

Haley McKinney

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Associate Editor Nursing2018 Critical Care Health Learning, Research & Practice Wolters Kluwer Philadelphia, PA