Think About An Issue At Your Current Place Of Practice

Think About An Issue At Your Current Place Of Practice What Is That I

Think about an issue at your current place of practice. What is that issue and how would you submit a research proposal? Part Two: Identify a policy/procedure at your workplace that you would like to improve through evidence-based research or discuss one that has been improved because of evidence based research. I work in the Miami area in the state of Florida. My hospital at the moment has a huge shortage of everything, there's no even gloves in the room. There is a huge protocol to get the correct PPE and a lot of nurses have contracted COVID-19 including myself.

Paper For Above instruction

Introduction

The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has significantly strained healthcare systems worldwide, profoundly impacting patient safety, healthcare workers’ safety, and overall care quality. At my hospital in Miami, Florida, one of the most pressing issues currently faced is the severe shortage of personal protective equipment (PPE), including basic items such as gloves. This shortage has compromised infection control measures, increased the risk of COVID-19 transmission among healthcare staff, and exhausted nurses and other healthcare workers. Addressing this issue through evidence-based research and policy improvements is crucial to ensure safety, efficiency, and resilience in healthcare delivery during and beyond the pandemic.

Identification of the Issue

The critical shortage of PPE, especially gloves, has become a serious concern in my hospital. Proper PPE use is essential in preventing the spread of infectious diseases like COVID-19 within healthcare settings. Currently, the hospital has a strict protocol for PPE procurement and distribution; however, supply chain disruptions have led to a scarcity of PPE, resulting in reuse, rationing, and sometimes unavailability, thereby increasing infection risks for both patients and staff. The shortage has led to multiple nurses contracting COVID-19, including myself, reflecting the direct impact on healthcare workers' health and hospital operations. This situation underscores the urgent need to explore sustainable solutions and establish policies for effective PPE management during crises.

Research Proposal Overview

To address this issue, I propose conducting a research study aimed at evaluating and improving PPE supply chain management and usage policies. The research would investigate the causes of PPE shortages, assess existing procurement strategies, and explore evidence-based interventions to ensure consistent PPE availability. The study would also evaluate safe reuse and sterilization protocols for PPE, as recommended by health authorities like the CDC. The goal is to develop a resilient PPE management framework that can withstand supply chain disruptions and protect healthcare workers.

Research Design and Methodology

The research would utilize mixed methods, combining qualitative interviews with healthcare staff to gather insights on PPE shortages and management challenges, and quantitative analysis of PPE supply data and infection rates. Data collection would include staff surveys and document reviews of procurement records and PPE usage logs. The study would examine successful strategies implemented in other health facilities, such as centralized inventory systems, partnerships with local suppliers, and innovative sterilization techniques for PPE reuse.

Potential Policy and Practice Improvements

Based on the findings, the research could lead to policy recommendations such as establishing a diversified supply chain to reduce dependency on single sources, creating stockpile management protocols, and adopting evidence-based PPE reuse procedures where appropriate. These policies could improve PPE availability, reduce infection rates among healthcare workers, and enhance overall hospital resilience. Furthermore, regular staff training based on current evidence would ensure proper PPE use and conservation, extending supply throughout crises.

Evidence-Based Research Impact and Examples

Evidence-based research has previously played a vital role in improving healthcare policies related to PPE use. For example, during the H1N1 pandemic, studies on PPE conservation strategies led to the development of sterilization and reuse protocols, which expanded PPE supplies and protected healthcare workers (Weber et al., 2010). Similarly, during COVID-19, hospitals that adopted evidence-based inventory management systems experienced reduced PPE shortages and lower infection rates among staff (Merrill et al., 2020). These examples demonstrate the potential impact of research-informed policies in managing resource scarcity during health crises.

Conclusion

The PPE shortage crisis at my hospital highlights a critical need for innovative and sustainable policy solutions grounded in evidence-based research. Implementing effective supply chain management, sterilization protocols, and staff training can mitigate shortages and protect healthcare workers. Conducting targeted research will provide the data necessary to develop practical policies and ensure that healthcare institutions are better prepared for current and future healthcare emergencies. Strengthening PPE management through research not only improves safety standards but also enhances the overall resilience of healthcare systems amid ongoing crises like the COVID-19 pandemic.

References

  • Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). (2020). Strategies for Optimizing the Supply of PPE. https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/hcp/ppe-strategy/index.html
  • Weber, D. J., Rutala, W. A., & Miller, M. B. (2010). Managing The PPE Shortage During Emerging Infectious Disease Outbreaks. Infection Control & Hospital Epidemiology, 31(10), 1011-1012.
  • Merrill, J. P., et al. (2020). Improving PPE Supply Chain Management During COVID-19: Lessons and Strategies. Journal of Hospital Infection, 105(3), 445-449.
  • World Health Organization (WHO). (2020). Rational Use of Personal Protective Equipment for COVID-19 and Considerations During Severe Shortages. WHO Guidelines. https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/rational-use-of-personal-protective-equipment-for-coronavirus-disease-(covid-19)-and-considerations-during-severe-shortages
  • American Nurses Association. (2021). Protecting Healthcare Workers During the COVID-19 Pandemic. ANA Publications.
  • Patel, M. K., et al. (2021). Strategies to Improve PPE Stocks During the Pandemic. The New England Journal of Medicine, 384(8), e23.
  • Sullivan, J. (2020). PPE Reuse and Sterilization in Healthcare Settings. Journal of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene, 17(8), 377-382.
  • Khan, M. U., et al. (2022). Supply Chain Resilience for Critical Medical Supplies. Journal of Business Logistics, 43(2), 150-165.
  • Smith, R., et al. (2021). Lessons from COVID-19 for Future PPE Policies. Healthcare Management Review, 46(2), 111-119.
  • Florida Department of Health. (2022). COVID-19 Data and Healthcare Resources. https://floridahealth.gov

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