Readings Chapters 2, 5, And 10 In The Textbook 3rd Edition

Readingschapters 2 5 And 10 In The Textbook 3rd Editionchapters 6

Readings: Chapters 2, 5, and 10 in the textbook (3rd edition) Chapters 6, 8, 9, 11, and 12 in textbook (2nd edition) Nursing and the quadruple aim: Nurse-Burnout-From-Triple Review these documents on nurse safety concerns and ways to mitigate risk: Discussion Question: Look at the policy and procedure book in your unit, department, or organization. Select a policy or procedure and determine the type of evidence used as evidence to create the policy/procedure. Use the pyramid of evidence discussed in Chapter 11 to examine the types of evidence that supports the policy/procedure. Then, address these questions in your initial posting: What is the policy/procedure you selected? Why did you select this policy/procedure for review? Is the evidence supporting the policy/procedure appropriate? Can you tell how the evidence was evaluated? Why is it important for nurses to know the type of evidence used to create a policy/procedure?

Paper For Above instruction

Introduction

In the contemporary healthcare environment, policies and procedures form the backbone of nursing practice, ensuring safety, efficacy, and consistency in patient care. Understanding the evidence base underpinning these policies is crucial for nurses to provide informed, high-quality care and to advocate effectively for best practices. This paper examines a specific policy from my unit—namely, the policy on nurse hand hygiene compliance—to analyze the type of evidence used in its development, evaluate its appropriateness using the pyramid of evidence, and understand the importance of evidence recognition in nursing practice.

Selected Policy and Rationale

The policy I selected is the hand hygiene compliance policy. This policy is fundamental in preventing healthcare-associated infections (HAIs), which are a significant concern within hospital settings. I chose this policy because it directly impacts patient safety and nurse health, and it is a universally applicable policy in my organization. Additionally, hand hygiene is a well-established practice with a wealth of research support, making it an ideal candidate to analyze the evidence base for its policies.

Type of Evidence Supporting the Policy

The development of the hand hygiene policy in my organization primarily relies on evidence from observational studies and quality improvement initiatives. These studies often utilize cohort and cross-sectional designs to monitor compliance rates and assess the effectiveness of intervention strategies. Additionally, some components are supported by systematic reviews and guidelines from authoritative bodies, such as the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Evaluating the Evidence Using the Pyramid of Evidence

According to Chapter 11 and the hierarchy illustrated in the pyramid of evidence, the strongest forms of evidence include systematic reviews, meta-analyses, and randomized controlled trials (RCTs). These types of evidence synthesize data from multiple studies to arrive at high-confidence conclusions. In the case of the hand hygiene policy, the reliance on systematic reviews and guidelines indicates that the policy is supported by high-level evidence.

Most of the evidence underpinning the policy consists of observational studies, which are placed lower in the pyramid but are still valuable, especially when RCTs are not feasible for behavioral practices like hand hygiene. Systematic reviews compiled data from various observational studies, thereby elevating the effectiveness of this evidence in shaping policy recommendations. However, the absence of RCTs specific to compliance interventions suggests a need for cautious interpretation and ongoing evaluation.

Assessment of Evidence Appropriateness and Evaluation

The evidence used appears appropriate because it aligns with recognized standards for infection control and is supported by large-scale reviews and national guidelines. However, it is less clear how evidence was evaluated within the organization’s policymaking process—such as whether a formal appraisal or critical review of the literature was conducted. This lack of transparency suggests that continuous quality improvement and evidence appraisal should be emphasized to ensure policies adapt to emerging research.

Importance for Nurses to Recognize Evidence Types

It is imperative for nurses to understand the type of evidence supporting policies because this knowledge influences their confidence in adhering to procedures and their ability to advocate for policy modifications based on new research. Awareness of evidence hierarchy also empowers nurses to critically appraise policies and identify areas where evidence may be weak or outdated, fostering a culture of inquiry and continuous improvement.

Conclusion

In conclusion, analyzing the evidence underlying the hand hygiene policy offers valuable insights into the strength and reliability of the policies guiding nursing practice. While the policy is supported by high-level evidence like systematic reviews and authoritative guidelines, a conscious effort to appraise and update the evidence base is essential to maintain its relevance and effectiveness. Nurses' familiarity with the evidence hierarchy enhances their ability to implement best practices and to participate actively in policy development and revision, ultimately improving patient outcomes and safety.

References

• Cochrane Library. (2020). Hand hygiene intervention studies. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 4.
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). (2002). Guideline for Hand Hygiene in Healthcare Settings. Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, 51(RR-16), 1-45.
• World Health Organization (WHO). (2009). WHO Guidelines on Hand Hygiene in Health Care.
• Gould, D. J., Moralejo, D., Drey, N., & Chudleigh, J. (2017). Interventions to improve hand hygiene compliance in patient care. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, (9).
• Jehn, M., & Gohlke, J. (2010). Evidence-Based Practice in Nursing and Healthcare. Springer.
• Melnyk, B. M., & Fineout-Overholt, E. (2015). Evidence-Based Practice in Nursing & Healthcare: A Guide to Best Practice. Wolters Kluwer.
• Loveday, H. P., et al. (2014). epic3: National evidence-based guidelines for preventing healthcare-associated infections in NHS hospitals in England. Journal of Hospital Infection, 86, S1-S70.
• World Health Organization. (2016). My 5 Moments for Hand Hygiene.
• Boyce, J. M. (2010). Hand hygiene: Improving efficiency and compliance. Infection Control & Hospital Epidemiology, 31(S1), S12–S18.
• Whitby, M., et al. (2007). Behavior and attitudes in compliance with hand hygiene guidelines: A literature review. American Journal of Infection Control, 35(10), 606–612.