NR 449 Evidence Based Practice Healthcare Associated Infection

NR-449 Evidence-Based Practice

Prof. Name

Date

Clinical Question

The healthcare sector is continually confronted with numerous inquiries across various disciplines. The specific information we aim to collect is influenced by the area of interest, as well as whether we are pursuing qualitative or quantitative insights. This paper centers on Healthcare-Associated Infections (HAIs), defined as infections that patients acquire during their stay in a healthcare facility and that were not present upon their admission. Such infections often arise from non-compliance with established protocols. HAIs present substantial challenges for both patients and healthcare institutions. This discussion aims to explore the risk factors associated with HAIs and the prevention strategies that can be implemented.

The PICOT question guiding this paper is: “What preventive measures can healthcare personnel implement to reduce the occurrence of HAIs?” According to research published in Tropical Biomedicine (2017), HAIs significantly impact hospitalized patients, with occurrences rising to as high as 51% among patients in Intensive Care Units (ICUs). Additionally, an article from the Journal of Hospital Infection (2016) examines how performance management can improve HAI reporting. This paper will investigate how HAIs are contracted and will highlight effective preventive strategies to decrease their incidence.

Levels of Evidence

To effectively address our group’s inquiry, both qualitative and quantitative studies are valuable sources of evidence. Qualitative studies provide insights that can deepen our understanding of the efficacy of various interventions (Houser, 2018). They help identify the specific needs of targeted populations, such as immunocompromised patients, recent surgical patients, and infants. These studies contribute to the design of interventions that healthcare staff can implement. Furthermore, qualitative research reveals the processes of implementation, challenges related to treatment adherence, and the real-world impacts of interventions (Houser, 2018).

Focusing on the qualitative aspect of HAIs, one study explored how perceptions and experiences related to performance management affect infection rates. It was found that institutions with well-defined accountability structures saw a reduction in infection rates (Brewster, Tarrant, & Dixon-Woods, 2016). However, the study also identified potential drawbacks, such as the risk of tunnel vision and the marginalization of other critical issues when utilizing performance management strategies (Brewster, Tarrant, & Dixon-Woods, 2016). Moreover, certain performance management approaches may foster a culture of fear that stifles learning and strains professional relationships. Concerns regarding possible reprimands or financial repercussions for reporting HAIs could deter accurate reporting.

Conversely, quantitative studies provide numerical data and statistical analysis to illustrate outcomes. They are crucial for determining the effects of interventions, assessing relationships between variables, and measuring changes over time (Houser, 2018). In relation to our research question, quantitative studies can offer robust evidence concerning the effectiveness of specific interventions aimed at reducing HAIs and enhancing patient outcomes. By integrating both qualitative and quantitative evidence, we can gain a comprehensive understanding of the preventive measures healthcare personnel can take to lower the incidence of HAIs.

Search Strategy

To locate relevant literature on Healthcare-Associated Infections (HAIs) and their prevention, I utilized two search engines: CINAHL Complete, available through our school’s library, and Google Scholar. To enhance my search results, I used various search terms such as “Healthcare-Associated Infections prevention,” “quantitative or qualitative,” and “hospital-acquired infections.” I also incorporated synonymous terms to expand the breadth of my search.

Throughout the search process, I iteratively refined my search terms to identify more pertinent articles related to my group’s topic. Specific limitations were established for the articles, focusing on peer-reviewed publications and restricting the time frame to the past five years. These limitations were intended to exclude older studies that may not reflect current practices and knowledge regarding HAI prevention. Among the numerous articles reviewed, two were chosen for their relevance to our topic and their comprehensive coverage of both qualitative and quantitative aspects of HAI prevention.