final

Evidence-Based Research in Nursing

Introduction

The understanding of an issue in nursing is one way in which a collection of evidence to support its justification or recognition of possible solution is one the drives in research. Therefore, learning the aspect of definitive measure through recognition of the population or people it affects makes it easier to strategize in terms of key indicators as well as target-based intervention. Consequently, these steps become the first in the development of relevant question to raise and methodology of application and in many ways the first genuine efforts in implementation of the evidence-based application in service provision within the nursing industry.

There are many challenges within the industry that can be relatively hard to distinguish when not properly defined based on target and implementation methodology. In view of this, the best approach is evidence-based research in which patient/population of concern, interventions/indicators, the comparative/control element, the outcome and the treatment or time (PICOT) are defined within a recognized boundary (Riva, Malik, Burnie, Endicott, & Busse, 2012). In understanding this aspect, the next step is to make a statement that poses a question in the challenge that is presented as the problem within nursing and in that way a breakdown of the main approach in getting a solution.

One such problem is the need for an increase in efficiency of service provision within nursing. However, this is a broader term that means a combination of different problems that does not necessarily relate to one another on a more focused sector. In this way, the efficiency of nursing can be determined to be an element made by a diverse implementation of activities and in this way a combination of different issues and challenges. To narrow this down, the anecdotal experience is important in the identification of the direct impact of one sector in nursing that will likely affect a greater portion in implementation efficiency. Therefore, in consideration of this, the paper will deal with sanitation as the basis of nursing activities

Summary of Nursing Practice

The main challenges presented in sanitation means that it can affect both the patients as well as the nurses and in that way implication of improvement of this service is one of the ways in which the problem can be carefully considered. Looking at it from this perspective, the ethics of nursing dictates that bedside manner is one of the functionalities of proper service delivery; however, there is also the fact that the patients may be exposed to infection when they stay long in hospitals. The nurses may play an important role in service provision but in other ways fail to account for the ignorance and irresponsibility of the patients when it comes to preventive measures. These measures such as washing hands, before eating, after visiting the toilet, before taking medicine, and through informing their attendants and other people who handle what they can ingest to wash their hands. The risk of infections within the hospital creates a sense of danger and a challenge that is encountered every day in nursing. The PICOT question in line with this will be whether activity in sanitation will help reduce the rate of infection for the nurses. Such a question would be, “does proper washing of hands regularly prevent the rate of healthcare-associated infection in patients as compared to using alcohol sanitizers in the duration of their hospital visit?’

Population (P) - Nurses

Intervention (I) – Hand washing

Comparison (C) - Use of alcohol sanitizers

Outcome (O) – Hospital-acquired infection

Time (T) – Duration of a hospital visit

Literature Review

Riva, Malik, Burnie, Endicott, & Busse (2012), point out that research as an element in nursing can be more productive when the evidence-based presentation is given and therefore a practical application to the solutions that are arrived at. In this way, the authors define the opportunity presented by PICOT questioning as a way into the practicality of contemplation given more detailed and quality research. In this way therefore when looking at evidence-based research from this questing methodology, we are able to focus in the inclusivity of more realistic interventions and by the result is the comparative element that applies both focus and direct communication in terms of population identification, intervention supposition, and effectiveness of its application. Hence, PICOT examines the measurements of outcomes in a more realistic based investigation measures and examines the implication through careful exploration with gap analysis and prioritization of efficiency through knowledge and specificity.

The value of any intervention in using is often based on its ability to be more practical and more effective than the previous methodology that has been in use. The examination of the comparative element between traditional hand washing and alcohol-based sanitation is one way to prove the effectiveness of one method over the other. Consideration has been taken by Larson, Cimiotti, Haas, Parides, Nesin, Della-Latta, & Saiman (2005) point out that it was earlier on in the research and determination of evidence that it was discovered that when using alcohol-based sanitizers, the best implementation is using waterless alcohol-based sanitizers as it is more effective. One definitive area of research that this has been determined to work is in the neonatal care where bacterial and microbial prevention has successfully been done leading to the reduction of infection rates.

However, despite the research, there is a question of the effectiveness away from the controlled environment that has been raised. In the determination of this level, there is a need for careful understanding of the persistence of usage and the recognition of its level of identification (Haverstick, Goodrich, Freeman, James, Kullar, & Ahrens, 2017). This question is raised since there is not enough evidence o- to provide an avenue for determination of residual activity. The question remains, and the data collection is the main point that presents a challenge in proving the workability and efficiency of alcohol sanitizers (Kampiatu & Cozean, 2015).

To understand the implication of hygiene in the prevention of HAI, it is also important to delve into the compliance and implementation strategy that might likely be maintained in the hospital to facilitate either of the interventions in questions. The comparative element, in this case, is the determination of which one is more likely to be used by patients and allow for compliance to be more designed in line with an easier way of facilitation (Haverstick, Goodrich, Freeman, James, Kullar, & Ahrens, 2017). Therefore research to be all around, there is need to understand the compliance of nurses and hospital staff in teaching, availing the sanitation facilities and intervention in terms of sensitization as part of the methods to reduce HAIs (Salama, Jamal, Al-AbdulGhani, Rotimi, & Mousa, 2013). One group of study especially in the determination of whether there is enough facilitation of this element is intensive care. In this way, protocol observation is important in addition to the responsibility of the patients themselves in taking care of the hygiene hence relativity in the partners responsible for the prevention of HAI (Fox, C., Wavra, T., Drake, D. A., & Mulligan, 2015).

Conclusion

In understanding the PICOT question, research becomes narrowed down to the more important element of consideration and the prioritization of indicators that support evidence-based analysis. Therefore, it is important that when considering the question raised, the broader aspect becomes the first consideration leading to the narrowing down of not only specific population but also the impact that hand washing has on HAI reduction. This allows for accountability in answering the question and effective comparative analysis of the use of alcohol sanitizers and traditional hand washing.

References