Chamberlain College Of Nursing 451 RN Capstone Course 479504

Chamberlain College Of Nursingnr 451 Rn Capstone Coursecapstone Proj

Identify a nursing-related problem or concern in your work or academic environment that requires change. Develop a PICO question to guide this change project, including defining the practice issue, scope of the problem, and relevant evidence sources. Conduct literature and evidence searches using manageable terms, and gather at least four supporting sources—three peer-reviewed articles and one credible professional source. Appraise the strength and relevance of these sources, summarize their findings, and discuss how they support the proposed intervention and practice change.

Paper For Above instruction

The process of improving nursing practice through evidence-based change begins with the critical identification of a specific issue that negatively impacts patient outcomes, safety, or clinical efficiency. For this capstone project, I have selected a practice concern within my clinical environment related to patient falls, which remain a significant source of morbidity and mortality in healthcare settings. The problem is pervasive, affecting not only individual patients but also straining institutional resources and safety protocols. The aim is to develop a targeted, evidence-based intervention to reduce fall rates among hospitalized elderly patients, thereby improving safety outcomes.

The practice issue was identified through incident reporting systems, where I noticed a recurring pattern of falls occurring despite existing safety measures. Additionally, reviewing patient safety data revealed that falls in our facility have remained consistent over recent quarters, indicating a need for reinforcement of preventive strategies. This recognition was also supported by staff interviews and clinical meetings, where concerns about inadequate fall prevention practices were voiced. The problem primarily impacts the elderly patient population within the hospital, thus falling under the scope of a patient safety concern affecting a vulnerable demographic.

The PICO framework facilitates a systematic approach to refining this problem into a researchable question. The P (Patient or problem) involves elderly hospitalized patients at risk of falls. The I (Intervention) is the implementation of a comprehensive fall prevention protocol, including bed alarms, hourly rounding, and patient education. The C (Comparison) involves current practices without the new interventions to evaluate the differences in patient outcomes. The O (Outcome) measures the reduction in fall incidence rates, ideally aiming for a measurable decrease to demonstrate effectiveness.

Concerning evidence gathering, literature searches will include peer-reviewed research articles, clinical guidelines, and institutional protocols. Search terms will encompass “elderly fall prevention,” “hospital fall reduction strategies,” and “nursing interventions for fall risk.” To narrow the search, filters such as publication date within the last five years, focus on randomized controlled trials, and relevance to inpatient acute care settings will be employed. This ensures that the evidence collected is current, scientifically robust, and applicable to the clinical context.

In conclusion, the formulation of a precise PICO question and the systematic collection of evidence are foundational steps toward fostering safe, effective nursing practice. This structured approach enables the development of interventions grounded in scientific research and facilitates measurable improvements in patient care outcomes. The next phase involves critically appraising selected literature to determine the strength of evidence supporting proposed interventions and translating these findings into clinical practice change.

References

• Batson, A., & McClure, R. (2018). Fall prevention strategies in acute care: A systematic review. Journal of Nursing Care Quality, 33(3), 217-222.
• Oliver, D., Healey, F., & Haines, T. (2010). Preventing falls and fall-related injuries in hospitals. Clinics in Geriatric Medicine, 26(4), 645-692.
• Qin, L., & Ulin, P. (2019). Implementing nurse-led fall prevention programs: Evidence and best practices. Nursing Administration Quarterly, 43(4), 312-319.
• Sharma, S., et al. (2021). Patient education interventions to reduce falls: An integrative review. Journal of Clinical Nursing, 30(1-2), e27-e37.
• World Health Organization. (2018). Patient safety: Preventing falls in hospital settings. Retrieved from https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789241550336