Levels of evidence in nursing techniques and procedures

Objective: To analyze the levels of scientific evidence on nursing techniques and procedures.Selection of nursing techniques: According to the frequency of daily use, increase in scientific production in the last years, and variability in practise.Sources and data searching: 1. Books and manuals in Specialised libraries and using the Online Point Access Catalog (OPAC). 2. Clinical practise guidelines and protocols from hospitals taking part in the Evidence-Based Medicine network. 3. On-line manuals, clinical practise guidelines and protocols, using different searching strategies and specific language of PubMed, Cochrane Library, CINAHL, IBECS, and others.Revision method: 1. To retrieve the sources of information containing the techniques and procedures. 2. Their identification and description. 3. Assessment of the level of evidence of the studies cited in the sources through critical appraisal, by two observers. If disagreement, a third reviewer will assess the study. 4. Analysis of scientific evidence of techniques and procedures, applying specific criteria and using the highest level of evidence supporting them. 5. Assignment of the level of recommendation for the technique depending on the level of evidence.Analysis and data treatment: With a reference manager databases with sources and references will be created and related to each other.