PICO(T) Questions And An Evidence-Based App

PICO(T) Questions and An Evidence Based App

Assessment 3 Instructions: PICO(T) Questions and an Evidence-Based Approach Create a 3-5-page submission in which you develop a PICO(T) question for a specific care issue and evaluate the evidence you locate, which could help to answer the question. PICO(T) is an acronym that helps researchers and practitioners define aspects of a potential study or investigation. It stands for: P – Patient/population/problem. I – Intervention. C – Comparison (of potential interventions, typically). O - Outcome(s). T - Time frame (if time frame is relevant). The end goal of applying PICO(T) is to develop a question that can help guide the search for evidence (Boswell Cannon, 2015). From this perspective, a PICO(T) question can be a valuable starting point for nurses who are starting to apply an evidence-based model or EBPs. By taking the time to precisely define the areas in which the nurse will be looking for evidence, searches become more efficient and effective.

Essentially, by precisely defining the types of evidence within specific areas, the nurse will be more likely to discover relevant and useful evidence during their search. You are encouraged to complete the Vila Health PCI(T) Process activity before you develop the plan proposal. This activity offers an opportunity to practice working through creating a PICO(T) question within the context of an issue at a Vila Health facility. These skills will be necessary to complete Assessment 3 successfully. This is for your own practice and self-assessment and demonstrates your engagement in the course.

Paper For Above instruction

The purpose of this assignment is to develop a clear, researchable PICO(T) question related to a specific care issue and then evaluate relevant evidence that can inform clinical decision-making. The process involves identifying a pertinent practice issue from personal nursing experience or simulated scenarios, formulating a structured PICO(T) question, and analyzing scholarly evidence to support evidence-based practice (EBP). This exercise enhances critical thinking, promotes effective literature searching, and underpins clinical improvements grounded in current research.

To begin, selecting an issue of interest is fundamental. For example, a nurse working in a hospital setting may be concerned about postoperative care and the risk of surgical site infections (SSIs). This concern can be transformed into a PICO(T) question by clearly defining the patient population, intervention, comparison, outcome, and timeframe if relevant. For instance, the question might be: "In postoperative patients (P), does the use of chlorhexidine skin antisepsis (I) compared to alcohol-based iodine (C) reduce the incidence of surgical site infections (O) within 30 days of surgery (T)?"

Once the question is formulated, the next step involves conducting a literature search to locate scholarly articles, clinical studies, or systemic reviews that address this issue. Relevant sources may include peer-reviewed journals such as the Journal of Hospital Infection, the American Journal of Infection Control, or Cochrane Reviews. The goal is to identify at least two high-quality sources that provide evidence on the effectiveness of different interventions related to the PICO(T) question.

Analyzing the evidence includes interpreting findings, understanding the level of evidence, and evaluating its applicability to the specific clinical context. For example, a systemic review comparing antiseptic agents could reveal that chlorhexidine is more effective than iodine in reducing SSIs, supporting recommendations for practice change. It is essential to consider factors such as study design, sample size, and relevance to patient population when assessing evidence quality.

Furthermore, the evidence's relevance to clinical decision-making involves exploring how findings can impact patient outcomes and nursing practices. If the evidence strongly supports chlorhexidine's superiority, implementing standardized skin antisepsis protocols might be justified to enhance patient safety. Conversely, if evidence is inconclusive or context-dependent, further research or tailored interventions may be necessary.

Throughout this process, proper scholarly communication entails organizing ideas clearly, citing sources accurately in APA format, and maintaining professional tone and grammar. This ensures that the presentation of findings is credible and facilitates knowledge dissemination among health professionals.

In summary, the assignment entails creating a focused PICO(T) question based on an identified practice issue, conducting a systematic review of current evidence, critically analyzing the findings, and explaining their application to clinical practice. Such an exercise promotes the integration of research into nursing practice, ultimately enhancing patient outcomes through evidence-based decision-making.

References

• Boswell, C., & Cannon, S. (2015). Introduction to nursing research. Jones & Bartlett Learning.
• Melnyk, B. M., & Fineout-Overholt, E. (2019). Evidence-based practice in nursing & healthcare: A guide to best practice. Wolters Kluwer.
• Hempel, S., et al. (2014). Evidence on interventions to reduce surgical site infections: A systematic review. Infection Control & Hospital Epidemiology, 35(5), 529-540.
• O’Neill, P., et al. (2020). Effects of chlorhexidine versus iodine on surgical site infection: A systematic review. American Journal of Infection Control, 48(3), 269-275.
• Johnston, E., & Bell, N. (2018). Best practices for preventing surgical site infections. Journal of Clinical Nursing, 27(21-22), 3929-3937.
• World Health Organization. (2016). Global guidelines for the prevention of surgical site infection. WHO Press.
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2017). Guidelines for infection control in healthcare personnel. Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, 66(3), 1-139.
• Horan, T. C., et al. (2016). CDC guideline for the prevention of surgical site infection. Infection Control & Hospital Epidemiology, 37(S2), 1-62.
• Georgiou, A., et al. (2019). Implementing evidence-based practice in nursing: Barriers and facilitators. Worldviews on Evidence-Based Nursing, 16(4), 336-344.
• McKinnon, L., et al. (2017). Strategies for implementing evidence-based practices in health care. Implementation Science, 12, 89.