You Will Write A Clear And Concise Paper Identifying And ✓ Solved

You will write a clear and concise paper identifying and

You will write a clear and concise paper identifying and describing the chosen problem you have decided to address through your change project. Describe the significance of the evidence-based project that can be implemented in the selected setting to the nursing profession. Give a clear and explicit statement of the problem, including the target population and background information relative to the specific problem at your assigned clinic or hospital setting. Your paper should include your research question set up in PICOT format that will drive your change project throughout the course. PICOT stands for: Population/Patient Problem: Who is your patient? Intervention: What do you plan to do for the patient? Comparison: What is the alternative to your plan? Outcome: What outcome do you seek? Time: What is the time frame? The paper should be at least three pages in length, not including the cover or reference pages.

Paper For Above Instructions

The nursing profession continuously evolves, responding to the dynamic challenges present in healthcare settings. One of the pressing issues faced today is the rising incidence of pressure ulcers among hospitalized patients, particularly within the elderly population. This paper aims to identify and describe this significant problem, providing an evidence-based change project focused on preventing pressure ulcers in a selected hospital setting. Through the establishment of a clear PICOT question, the proposed interventions and expected outcomes will be outlined to enhance nursing practices and patient care.

Identifying the Problem

Pressure ulcers, also known as bedsores or decubitus ulcers, represent a serious clinical issue that can lead to severe complications, including infections, prolonged hospitalization, and increased healthcare costs (Bader et al., 2018). The target population for this project is elderly patients, particularly those who are immobile and have limited sensory perception. According to the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ), pressure ulcers affect approximately 2.5 million patients in the United States annually, with the prevalence significantly higher among older adults, especially in acute care settings (AHRQ, 2021). The ramifications of these ulcers extend beyond physical health, affecting patients' psychological well-being and overall quality of life.

Background Information

The background contributing to the rise of pressure ulcers in hospitals includes factors such as inadequate staffing, lack of staff education, and insufficient preventive measures. Evidence suggests that implementing regular skin assessments and risk assessments can substantially reduce the incidence of pressure ulcers (National Pressure Injury Advisory Panel, 2019). Additionally, institutional policies that prioritize patient mobility and appropriate nutrition are crucial for prevention. However, even with established guidelines, the compliance rates among nursing staff remain low, necessitating targeted interventions that address barriers to care.

PICOT Question

To structure this change project effectively, a well-defined PICOT question will serve as a framework to guide the interventions proposed. The PICOT question formulated is: "In elderly patients (P), how does implementing a structured skin assessment and repositioning schedule (I) compared to usual care (C) affect the incidence of pressure ulcers (O) over a period of three months (T)?" This question clearly outlines the target population, intervention, comparison, desired outcomes, and timeframe.

Significance of the Change Project

The significance of this evidence-based project lies in its potential to impact the nursing profession positively and improve patient outcomes. Effective prevention of pressure ulcers not only enhances the quality of care provided to patients but also reduces hospital costs associated with treatment and extended hospital stays (Coleman et al., 2013). Furthermore, by integrating evidence-based practices into nursing protocols, nurses can take a proactive role in patient advocacy and outcomes management, which is essential in advanced practice nursing.

Proposed Interventions

The proposed intervention consists of implementing a structured skin assessment protocol alongside a repositioning schedule for patients identified as high-risk for pressure ulcers. Staff training sessions will be conducted to educate nursing staff on the importance of early detection and proactive management of skin integrity. The protocols will include guidelines for repositioning patients every two hours, advising regular skin assessments to identify early signs of pressure ulcers, and ensuring appropriate nutritional support is provided. Education materials and visual reminders will be placed in patient rooms to reinforce compliance among nursing staff.

Expected Outcomes

The expected outcome of this change project is a significant reduction in the incidence of pressure ulcers among the elderly patient population within the three-month implementation period. It is anticipated that with regular assessments and interventions, the number of new pressure ulcers developed will decline. Furthermore, staff engagement and adherence to the new protocol will be monitored, aiming for at least an 85% compliance rate by the end of the project. Patient feedback will also be gathered to evaluate the perceived quality of care and comfort levels regarding skin management practices.

Conclusion

In summary, this paper identified pressure ulcers as a critical problem within the hospital setting affecting elderly patients, detailing the significance of implementing an evidence-based project to address this issue. The outlined PICOT question serves to guide the change project, emphasizing the importance of structured interventions, education, and adherence monitoring among nursing staff. By addressing this problem head-on, the nursing profession can enhance patient outcomes, demonstrating the proactive role of nursing in addressing healthcare challenges.

References

• AHRQ. (2021). Pressure ulcers in hospitals. Retrieved from https://www.ahrq.gov
• Bader, D. L., Yates, D., & Houghton, P. E. (2018). Pressure ulcers: Prevention and management. In Nursing Times. Retrieved from https://www.nursingtimes.net
• Coleman, S., Gorecki, C., Nelson, E. A., & Brown, J. (2013). The interRAI Pressure Ulcer Risk Scale: Validation against the Waterlow and Braden scales. Journal of Wound Care, 22(6), 310-317.
• National Pressure Injury Advisory Panel. (2019). Prevention and treatment of pressure ulcers/injuries: Clinical practice guideline. Retrieved from https://www.npiap.com
• Weir, D., Pilkington, S., & VanGilder, C. (2017). The efficacy of various methods of pressure ulcer prevention: A comparative analysis. Advances in Skin & Wound Care, 30(11), 506-514.
• Gorecki, C., Brown, J. M., Moochhala, S. M., & Justham, D. (2013). Impact of pressure ulcers on quality of life in older patients: A review of the literature. International Journal of Older People Nursing, 8(3), 203-220.
• Beeckman, D., & Defloor, T. (2021). A systematic review of the effectiveness of repositioning in the prevention of pressure ulcers. Journal of Advanced Nursing, 77(2), 983-993.
• Stotts, N. A., & Kelsey, S. G. (2019). Nursing best practices in pressure ulcer prevention. Nursing Management, 50(4), 26-31.
• Yap, T. L., & Lee, H. Y. (2020). Effect of nutrition on wound healing and the prevention of pressure ulcers. Nursing Clinics of North America, 55(3), 495-510.