NURS FPX 4030 Assessment 2 Determining the Credibility of Evidence and Resources

Determining the Credibility of Evidence and Resources

Healthcare treatments and procedures significantly influence patients’ quality of life and safety. Every healthcare professional is critically responsible for assessing the credibility and authenticity of evidence-based practices in their clinical work. This analysis focuses on the issue of Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs), highlighting the importance of nurses seeking credible evidence for clinical application. Through in-depth analysis, substantial evidence of effective nursing practices for UTIs can lead to better patient health outcomes and an enhanced quality of life.

The Quality and Safety Issue Benefiting from an Evidence-Based Approach

Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs) are among humans’ most prevalent bacterial infections, signifying a serious problem for public health. These infections significantly impact healthcare systems and patients’ quality of life. The societal costs, including healthcare expenses, are estimated to be around US$3.5 billion annually in the United States (Pinto et al., 2021). UTIs are prevalent in both hospital and community settings, often leading to complications such as kidney infections and sepsis, particularly among Populations at risk, including the elderly, expectant mothers, and people with compromised immune systems. This calls for a pressing need to address UTIs in a timely manner using authentic treatments and guidelines supported by evidence.

Applying an evidence-based approach to managing and treating UTIs is crucial for several reasons. Firstly, evidence-based guidelines help reduce antibiotic resistance by ensuring the appropriate use of antibiotics, which is vital in preserving their efficacy (Stracy et al., 2022). Secondly, utilizing current and effective treatments based on evidence improves patient outcomes, leading to faster recoveries, fewer complications, and a lower recurrence rate of infections, thereby directly enhancing patients’ quality of life (Wagenlehner et al., 2020). Additionally, evidence-based practices contribute to cost-effectiveness in healthcare by reducing unnecessary diagnostic tests and treatments, leading to better resource allocation (Navarro et al., 2020). Moreover, these practices enhance patient safety by minimizing the risk of adverse effects and healthcare-associated infections.

Criteria to Determine Credibility of Resources

Research identifies several criteria for evaluating the credibility of resources, one of which is the CRAAP criteria: Currency, Relevance, Authority, Accuracy, and Purpose (Muis et al., 2022). This set of criteria assesses the timeliness of the article by considering its publication date and examines the relevance of the resource’s content to the issue being studied. It also evaluates the authors’ expertise and connection to the pertinent fields of study. Finally, it verifies the accuracy of the information and ensures that the resource’s purpose aligns with the goals of the ongoing research (Muis et al., 2022).

Applying the CRAAP Criteria

These criteria are applied in the following bibliography:

Navarro, D. F., Sullivan, F., Lorenzo, A. A., & Santiago, V. H. (2020). Point-of-care tests for urinary tract infections: Protocol for a systematic review and meta-analysis of diagnostic test accuracy. BMJ Open, 10(6), e033424. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2019-033424

This resource was published in the year 2020, indicating its currency. Regarding the relevance criterion, the article addresses the topic of urinary tract infections, which is the focus of this assessment. The article specifically examines the accuracy of point-of-care tests for diagnosing UTIs, making it highly pertinent to the issue at hand. The authors are experts in their respective fields and have substantial backgrounds in medicine and research. The study’s findings are accurate and are derived from a systematic review and meta-analysis, ensuring robust statistical analysis. Lastly, this resource aims to enhance diagnostic accuracy for UTIs, which aligns with improving patient outcomes through better diagnosis and treatment protocols.

Analysis of Credibility and Relevance of Resources and Evidence

The evidence-based resources cited in this paper can be analyzed to ensure their credibility and relevance. All these resources fit the CRAAP criteria. The article by Pinto et al. (2021) fulfills the CRAAP criteria as it was published within the last three years, indicating its currency. This resource is relevant to urinary tract infections (UTIs) as it discusses the prevalence and impact of biofilms on the bloodstream and UTIs. The authors are experts in their fields, and the results are based on a systematic review and meta-analysis, ensuri