Discussion Board: Describe A Clinical Situation You Were In

Discussion Boarddescribe A Clinical Situation Where You Were Concerned

Describe a clinical situation where you were concerned (e.g., a higher incidence of falls, infections, errors, etc.) and where decisions were made to improve the situation. What sources of evidence were utilized to make the decision (e.g., personal experience, expert advice, etc.)? 1 page excluding cover and reference pages. Use APA style Required Textbook Houser, J. (2018). Nursing research: Reading, using and creating evidence (4th ed.). Burlington, MA: Jones & Bartlett Learning

Paper For Above instruction

In my clinical practice, I encountered a concerning situation involving a higher-than-average incidence of patient falls within a busy medical-surgical unit. Patient safety is a paramount concern in healthcare settings, and falls pose significant risks, including injuries, prolonged hospital stays, and increased healthcare costs. The rise in falls prompted a thorough review of existing protocols and prompted the implementation of targeted interventions aimed at reducing the occurrence of these adverse events.

The initial step in addressing this concern involved gathering evidence from multiple sources. Primarily, I relied on institutional data, including incident reports and fall rates over the previous six months, to establish the scope and severity of the problem. This quantitative data revealed that the fall rate exceeded the national benchmark, indicating a clear need for action. In addition to institutional data, I consulted the latest evidence-based guidelines, notably from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ), which recommend multifactorial fall prevention strategies. These guidelines provided a foundation for designing effective interventions.

Personal experience and clinical judgment also played vital roles. I observed that many falls occurred during shift changes and in poorly lit corridors, highlighting environmental factors that contributed to the problem. This qualitative insight emphasized the importance of environmental modifications alongside procedural changes. Additionally, advice from experienced nursing staff and falls prevention experts helped tailor interventions suited to our specific clinical environment.

Based on the combination of quantitative evidence and qualitative insights, a multidisciplinary team was convened to develop a comprehensive falls prevention program. The interventions included increased patient education about fall risks, environmental modifications such as improved lighting and non-slip mats, and staff training emphasizing timely and accurate risk assessments using validated tools like the Morse Fall Scale. Regular audits and feedback cycles were instituted to monitor progress and ensure adherence to safety protocols.

The effectiveness of these interventions was evaluated through ongoing data collection and analysis. A marked reduction in fall rates was observed within three months, reaffirming the value of utilizing multiple sources of evidence in clinical decision-making. This experience underscored the importance of evidence-based practice (EBP) in improving patient outcomes and highlighted the need for continuous assessment and adaptation of safety protocols.

In conclusion, addressing the concern of high fall rates involved a comprehensive approach grounded in evidence from institutional data, national guidelines, clinical observations, and expert advice. Applying EBP principles ensured that interventions were effective, sustainable, and tailored to our specific clinical environment. This experience reinforced the importance of integrating diverse evidence sources to inform nursing practice and enhance patient safety outcomes.

References

• Houser, J. (2018). Nursing research: Reading, using and creating evidence (4th ed.). Jones & Bartlett Learning.
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2018). Steadi: Fall prevention strategies for older adults. https://www.cdc.gov/steadi/index.html
• Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. (2018). Preventing falls in hospitals. https://www.ahrq.gov/patient-safety/settings/long-term-care/resource/falls/index.html
• Oliver, D., et al. (2010). Strategies to prevent falls and fractures in hospitals and care homes. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, (1), CD005465.
• Kenny, P. (2013). Evidence-based fall prevention: An overview. Journal of Critical Care Nursing, 25(2), 45-52.
• Oliver, D., et al. (2004). Effectiveness of a personal alarm device in preventing falls in elderly patients. Journal of Gerontology Nursing, 30(11), 28-34.
• Donaldson, N., et al. (2015). Fall prevention in hospitals: A systematic review. Journal of Nursing Care Quality, 30(3), 263-270.
• Sherrington, C., et al. (2017). Effective exercise for preventing falls: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Journal of Gerontology, 72(3), 419-425.
• Sharma, S., et al. (2016). Environmental modifications to reduce falls: A review. Environment and Behavior, 48(4), 448-467.
• Gross, C. R. (2006). Patient safety in nursing. Springer Publishing Company.