It is possible to summarize the difference between best practice and evidence-based care as follows: Best practice refers to more general guidelines which suggest how something should be done in a most efficient or effective way. The primary distinction lies in the source of the information used—evidence-based practice draws from peer-reviewed studies, systematic reviews, and other forms of data analysis conducted by experts in a given field while best practices may involve relying on past experiences or anecdotal accounts for making decisions about how certain tasks should be completed.
Evidence-based practices require more work to implement, as they involve a critical review of the relevant literature before any modifications are made. Best practices rely on those who have experience with similar situations. Both approaches are complementary and not mutually exclusive in providing high-quality patient care, depending on the situation.