To assess the evidence for a proposed change you must first formulate focused questions. Some of the questions that you should ask are:
- What problems are we having now with the current test or method (eg, turnaround time issues, communication, medical decision points)?
- Will this new test or procedure provide proper patient care?
- Can or will this new test or practice be ordered inappropriately?
- How do we assess the benefits and cost of the new proposal versus the current practice?
- If implemented, how will we know if the change is working?
The above questions are worth considering to ensure that the best evidence-based processes and practices are being utilized in patient care.
