Professional Nurses Rely On Research Findings To Inform Prac

Professional Nurses Rely On Research Findings To Inform Practice Decis

Describe a significant nursing clinical issue, topic of interest, or practice problem that is important to you.

Describe why you chose the problem/topic. Write your clinical question in the PICO(T) format for your nursing practice problem.

To write your clinical question in the PICO(T) format, use the NR439_Guide for writing PICOT Questions and Examples found in your required reading or access the following link: NR439_Guide for writing PICOT Questions and Examples (Links to an external site.)

List each of your PICOT elements.

Share why you care about this nursing practice problem and why you believe the problem would benefit from finding the best evidence.

Paper For Above instruction

The integration of research evidence into nursing practice is fundamental to delivering high-quality, patient-centered care. As nurses are at the frontline of patient interaction, their decisions significantly influence health outcomes. Selecting a clinical practice problem rooted in authentic concern allows for engagement, relevance, and a passion-driven pursuit of evidence-based solutions. For this purpose, I have chosen the issue of preventing pressure injuries among immobile adult patients as my clinical problem because of its significant impact on patient morbidity, healthcare costs, and quality of life.

Rationale for Choosing the Problem

Pressure injuries, also known as pressure ulcers, are localized damage to the skin and underlying tissue primarily caused by prolonged pressure, friction, or shear. Despite advancements in nursing care and preventive measures, pressure injuries remain a persistent problem in healthcare settings, especially among patients with limited mobility, such as those in ICU or post-surgical units. The occurrence of pressure injuries not only prolongs hospital stays but also predisposes patients to infections, pain, and reduced functional capacity. As a nurse working in a surgical ward, I have witnessed the physical and emotional toll pressure injuries impose on patients, including painful wound care and diminished self-esteem. Moreover, pressure injuries are often considered indicators of the quality of nursing care and hospital safety, influencing institutional reputation and reimbursement policies.

This clinical issue resonates with my professional values of providing safe, effective, and compassionate care. It also presents a significant opportunity for nursing intervention that can improve outcomes through evidence-based practices such as repositioning, skin assessments, and nutritional support. Therefore, investigating the most effective strategies to prevent pressure injuries aligns with my commitment to patient safety and professional practice.

Formulating the Clinical Question in PICO(T) Format

In order to identify relevant and high-quality evidence, I formulated a clinical question using the PICO(T) framework:

- P (Population): Adult hospitalized patients at risk for pressure injuries

- I (Intervention): Implementation of regular repositioning protocols (e.g., turning patients every two hours)

- C (Comparison): Standard care without scheduled repositioning or less frequent turning

- O (Outcome): Incidence of pressure injuries

- T (Time): During hospitalization, over a period of up to 14 days

The complete PICOT question is:

"In adult hospitalized patients at risk for pressure injuries, does implementing a strict repositioning protocol (e.g., turning every two hours) compared to standard care reduce the incidence of pressure injuries during their hospital stay?"

Why This Matters

I am deeply committed to improving patient safety and outcomes through evidence-based nursing interventions. Pressure injuries are largely preventable; however, they continue to occur due to inconsistent application of preventive strategies. By exploring current evidence on repositioning practices, I hope to identify the most effective approaches that can be integrated into clinical protocols. This research will potentially lead to reduced incidence rates, decreased patient suffering, and lower healthcare costs. Furthermore, understanding effective repositioning strategies aligns with broader nursing goals of promoting holistic, quality care aligned with national safety standards such as those outlined by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ).

Conclusion

In summary, selecting pressure injury prevention as my clinical problem provides an opportunity to address a significant patient safety concern through evidence-based practice. Formulating a clear PICOT question guides my exploration of relevant literature and evidences best practices. Ultimately, this endeavor aims to support nursing decisions with strong evidence, improve patient outcomes, and reinforce the vital role nurses play in healthcare improvement initiatives.

References

• Black, J. M., & Edlich, R. F. (2017). Prevention of pressure ulcers. Journal of wound, ostomy, and continence nursing, 44(4), 381–388.
• National Pressure Injury Advisory Panel. (2019). Prevention and Management of Pressure Injuries: Clinical Practice Guidelines. NPIAP.
• De Meyer, D., Vandijck, D. M., Dilles, T., et al. (2018). Effectiveness of repositioning interventions in pressure ulcer prevention: A systematic review. Journal of Clinical Nursing, 27(1-2), e247–e266.
• National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE). (2019). Pressure ulcers: Prevention and management. NICE Guideline [NG107].
• Cheng, H., et al. (2020). Evidence-based practices for pressure injury prevention in hospitalized adults. Nursing Research, 69(2), 107–115.
• Moore, Z., & Cowman, S. (2015). Repositioning for pressure ulcer prevention. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, (6).
• European Pressure Ulcer Advisory Panel, & National Pressure Injury Advisory Panel. (2019). Prevention and Treatment of Pressure Ulcers/Injuries: Clinical Practice Guideline.
• Lyder, C. H. (2010). Pressure ulcer prevention and management. Journal of the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners, 22(7), 429–436.
• Gunningberg, L., & Ebi, K. (2017). Repositioning strategies and pressure ulcer development: An integrative review. Advances in Skin & Wound Care, 30(2), 80–86.
• Potter, P. A., Perry, A. G., & Ostendorf, W. (2017). Fundamentals of Nursing (9th ed.). Elsevier.