Translating new technology or evidence into routine clinical practice is a long journey in which fundamental translational gaps need to be overcome in a more efficient way. As such, translational science has been increasingly emphasized across all health sectors in most countries,1,2 especially in the field of cardiovascular medicine.3 Evidence-based health care stresses the importance of basing health policy and healthcare practices on the best available international evidence through the four A's: ask, acquire, appraise and apply.4 The first step is identifying policy or clinical questions (Ask). If there is existing evidence, the clinical questions can be addressed by locating and compiling the knowledge for clinicians to appropriately deliver health care in ways that are effective, feasible and meaningful to specific populations, cultures and settings (Acquire). Subsequently, the evidence must be appraised (Appraise), synthesized and transferred to stakeholders who can make informed or shared decisions in clinical practice by considering the totality of evidence of the benefit, harm and uncertainty of any relevant healthcare strategies (Apply).4

Healthcare professionals have been facing unprecedented rapid changes in medicine that are underpinned and characterized by dramatic accelerations in both biological and information sciences.3 However, if new technologies are used inappropriately, or if their implementation plans do not generate the evidence needed to guide practice, tipping the balance of risk and benefit in an unfavorable direction, then these technologies could also increase the potential for harm.

In this issue of the journal, Teferra et al.5 have conducted a scoping review that exemplifies the role of evidence synthesis in promoting evidence translation. This review scoped the current research on electronic textile (e-textile) use for cardiac monitoring. E-textiles are fabrics (or clothing) that contain electronic elements or circuits woven directly into the material and are an emerging interdisciplinary field of research. Researchers have been striving to maximize the usability of e-textiles for several different applications, yet translational gaps1,2 are the inevitable challenges for any emerging technology realizing its potential for clinical application.

The current scoping review identified promising advances in signal quality and noise reduction for e-textile electrocardiogram applications.5 However, it also found that the diagnostic capability of the 12-lead personalized home-based cardiac rehabilitation monitor containing fully textile-integrated electronics is yet to be confirmed, as motion artifact continues to be an issue that requires urgent attention.5 This review demonstrates clearly that evidence synthesis, and in this case utilizing a scoping review methodology,6 is a useful tool for summarizing current best available evidence to cross these translational gaps, even where the technology is in its infancy stage.

The pursuit of translational science is also well presented in another article in this issue.7 Fluid management is an essential part of heart failure treatment, especially while the patient is in decompensation status.8 However, achieving optimal fluid control remains a difficult task in the care of patients with heart failure. Nursing staff at Taipei Veterans General Hospital conducted an implementation project based on evidence-supported fluid balance monitoring, including physical assessment and electrolyte monitoring in conjunction with fluid balance charts, daily weighing of patients, patient involvement and continuing education for caring staff.7 Subsequently, the staff established a project team, observed and recorded processes aligned to the criteria mentioned, and designed and implemented strategies to improve fluid monitoring. By adhering to process throughout the baseline and follow-up audit, the project team demonstrated improvement between 33 and 47% across three of their auditing criteria. The success of this project suggests that active processes of evidence transfer and utilization can be achieved in a more efficient manner with the help of a systematic strategy, such as that offered by the JBI Practical Application of Clinical Evidence System, which includes the Getting Research into Practice tool to undertake the audits, identify gaps and barriers, and develop the final implementation plan.

Translating new technology or evidence into routine clinical practice is a long journey, but the corresponding translational gaps can be successfully and more efficiently closed if suitable methodologies and tools can be adequately accepted and implemented.

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