Incorporating the evidence-based practice into healthcare facilities management

Abstract

Growing demand towards quality of healthcare facilities has required the task and service of healthcare facilities management to evolve. Due to the complexity and vigorous changes of healthcare settings, facilities managers are required to enhance their expertise in the practice of healthcare facilities management. Commonly, the major challenges for facilities managers are the limitations of their medical background and clinical experiences in the healthcare environment. Thus, lack of consistent solution has existed when it comes to the task of decision making in the practice. Knowledge gap appeared in this practice towards healthcare environment have led to a renewed interest in the grasp of further information supported by evidence-based reasoning to handle the challenge. This article provides a detailed discussion on the usefulness of evidence-based approach, notably for the practice and as a decision tool of healthcare facilities management. The importance of evidence-based practice (EBP) has been emphasized in the field of clinical settings for the benefit of wellbeing. It is vital for facilities managers to look forward and realize how their practice in the evidence-based context leads to better clinical decision. A brief overview on the key elements of EBP - latest clinical research evidences, clinician's expertise and users' preferences - will disclose to the facilities managers on the idea of incorporating all the related elements to benefit their decision making. Such attempt is anticipated to strengthen the knowledge in conducting EBP particularly among the healthcare facilities managers, as an effort to enhance their skills and practices in managing healthcare facilities.