Determining the Credibility of Evidence and Resources Quality or Safety Issue

The quality issue in this scenario is a new nurse using an evidence-based approach to manage a patient with ventilator-associated pneumonia. Ventilator-associated pneumonia is a nosocomial infection that occurs 8 hours or more after the start of mechanical ventilation (Papazian et al., 2020). Mechanical ventilation compromises the lower respiratory system and permits the entry of gastrointestinal secretions into this system (Papazian et al., 2020). This is an enabler for colonization of the lower respiratory tract by microorganisms, hence Ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) (Papazian et al., 2020).

VAP is associated with high morbidity and mortality rates. Furthermore, VAP has a negative financial impact on the patient and the healthcare facility. Patients incur extra costs due to prolonged hospitalizations (Sousa et al., 2019). Data demonstrates that patients incur an additional $41,000 on the management of VAP (Sousa et al., 2019). On the other hand, an increase in the incidence of VAP attracts penalties for healthcare facilities. By so doing, monetary reimbursements from insurers will reduce significantly (Sousa et al., 2019). Nurses and other healthcare providers should embrace evidence-based practices to prevent and manage VAP adequately to reduce treatment costs and improve patient safety.

Criteria to be Considered When Determining Credibility of Resources

Nurses and other healthcare providers should embrace the CRAAP (currency, relevance, authority, accuracy, and purpose) test to determine the credibility of resources. CRAAP test enables a researcher to develop a checklist to guide the evaluation process (Esparrago-Kalidas, 2021). Resources that fulfill the components of the checklist are considered credible and reliable. Firstly, currency determines when the resource was authored, posted, reviewed, or revised (Esparrago-Kalidas, 2021). Additionally, it evaluates whether the external links are valid. Secondly, relevance examines whether the resource applies to the research topic and the target population. Thirdly, the authority authenticates the authors by evaluating their qualifications and the organizations with which they are affiliated (Esparrago-Kalidas, 2021).

Furthermore, the uniform resource locators of resources and authors are assessed to determine their correctness and relevance. Fourthly, accuracy determines whether the information provided by the resources is verifiable, logically correct, and backed by evidence (Esparrago-Kalidas, 2021). Fifthly, purpose evaluates whether the goals and objectives of the resource are stated clearly.

Analyze Credibility and Relevance of Evidence within the Context of the Issue

In this scenario, the new nurse is managing a patient with VAP. She is supposed to locate credible evidence that provides detailed information on VAP, including its etiology, prevention, and management. Examples of resources that the nurse should embrace are authored by Branco et al. (2020), Kallet (2019), Martin-Loeches et al. (2018), Papazian et al. (2020), Sousa et al. (2019), Wu et al. (2019) and Yeganeh et al. (2019). The utility of the CRAAP test reveals that the articles provide credible and relevant evidence. Firstly, they offer the current information as evidenced by the year of their publication (within the past five years). Secondly, they are relevant because they provide critical information on VAP. Notably, they discuss the management, prevention, and practice essentials of VAP. Thirdly, the credentials of the authors and affiliated organizations are verifiable. Fourthly, the accuracy of the resources is demonstrated by the fact that they are peer-reviewed.

Additionally, their information is backed up by references and adequately referenced. The purpose of the resources is clearly defined and is harmonious with the quality issue of concern (ventilator-associated pneumonia). These resources will equip the new nurse with relevant knowledge of VAP and enable her to manage the patient adequately.

Importance of Incorporating Credible Evidence into the EBP Model

Evidence-based practice models give nurses a structured framework for research. As such, nurses embrace the best evidence in their clinical decision-making process. In this scenario, the Iowa model is relevant. The model acknowledges the role of all stakeholders in a healthcare facility in the decision-making process while selecting the best evidence (Cullen et al., 2020). By so doing, it promotes interdisciplinary collaboration. It has sequential phases: identifying an issue that necessitates change, evaluating the relevance of the issue to the facility, creating a problem statement, recruiting an interdisciplinary team to research the issue, and determining whether credible evidence is available (Cullen et al., 2020). Research is necessitated when