Your Chief Nurse Executive (CNE) Recognizes Your Pursuit ✓ Solved

Your Chief Nurse Executive Cne Recognizes You Are Pursuing

Your Chief Nurse Executive (CNE) recognizes you are pursuing your BSN and has asked you to be a member of the nursing evidence-based practice (NEBP) committee. She has advised the members that the purpose is to conduct nursing research studies involving clinical practice problems. Increasing nurses' awareness of quality and safety concerns will help develop an attitude of inquiry and asking questions (Sherwood & Barnsteiner, 2017). Baccalaureate nurses "collaborate in problem identification, participate in the process of search, retrieval, and documentation of evidence, and integrate evidence using credible databases and internet resources" (AACN, 2008, pp. 16-17).

The CNE has advised all members of the following areas of quality and safety clinical practice that each committee member needs to consider and choose only one as a priority area for conducting a research study. Sources of research problems come from nursing clinical practice (Houser, 2018): Quality, Safety, Patient satisfaction, Patient education, Falls, Non-pharmacological pain management, Errors, Medication, Patient identification, Communication, Readmissions, Length of stay, Costs, Healthcare Associated Infections (HAIs), Central Line Associated Blood Stream Infections (CLABSI), Catheter Associated Urinary Tract Infections (CAUTI), Ventilator Associated Pneumonia (VAP), Surgical Site Infections (SSI), Sepsis (Screening or Prevention), Discharge Teaching/Coaching, Transitions of Care/Level of Care, Pressure Ulcers, Skin Integrity.

Your CNE has requested that you select ONLY one topic area and complete the PPE Worksheet using only one topic area. The committee will collaborate and decide as a team which nursing clinical problem area will be the priority focus of their next research study.

Thank you for your valuable contributions to this important NEBP committee.

Paper For Above Instructions

The nursing profession continuously evolves, prioritizing improved patient safety and quality of care. As I have joined the Nursing Evidence-Based Practice (NEBP) committee at the behest of our Chief Nurse Executive (CNE), a unique opportunity arises to contribute more substantively to our clinical environment. From the given areas of quality and safety clinical practices, I have chosen to focus on “Healthcare Associated Infections (HAIs)” as the priority area for our research study. This choice stems from the critical implications that HAIs present to patient outcomes and healthcare systems as a whole. Evidence of nursing’s impact in this arena reinforces the relevance of our research efforts.

Healthcare Associated Infections, particularly Central Line Associated Blood Stream Infections (CLABSI), Catheter Associated Urinary Tract Infections (CAUTI), and Ventilator Associated Pneumonia (VAP), significantly affect patient morbidity and mortality. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), HAIs contribute to approximately 99,000 deaths annually in the United States (CDC, 2021). Such statistics highlight the urgency for nursing-led investigations focused on these infections.

Understanding Healthcare Associated Infections

HAIs are infections that patients acquire during the course of receiving treatment for other conditions within a healthcare setting. Despite advances in medical technology, these infections remain prevalent due to various factors, including inadequate infection control practices, antimicrobial resistance, and patient-specific risk elements (Zarb et al., 2019). As nurses take on a more prominent role in patient education and advocacy, integrating evidence-based principles into everyday practice becomes paramount (Schmidt et al., 2017). Understanding the most common types of HAIs and reducing their incidence could dramatically improve health outcomes.

HAIs can arise from invasive devices or procedures, errors in sterile environments, and lapses in hand hygiene practices. Using evidence-based interventions to target each infection type can lead to better clinical outcomes. Research has shown that implementing a bundle approach—such as using chlorhexidine for skin preparation, minimizing catheter time, and ensuring proper hand hygiene—can significantly reduce the rates of CLABSI and CAUTI (Berenholtz et al., 2016).

Proposed Research Questions

As members of the NEBP committee, we will explore various aspects of HAIs with the overarching question: “What current evidence-based practices can be implemented to reduce the rate of CLABSI and CAUTI in hospitalized patients?" This question leads to several sub-questions, such as:

• What specific educational programs can nurses undertake to improve adherence to infection control protocols?
• How do environmental factors in the hospital contribute to HAIs and patient outcomes?
• What multi-disciplinary approaches can reinforce infection control measures in acute care settings?

Methodology

To address these questions, we aim to conduct a comprehensive literature review to identify recent studies on HAIs and explore existing evidence-based interventions. We will also assess current guidelines from reputable organizations, such as the CDC and the World Health Organization (WHO), to gauge best practices in infection control. Professional guidelines provide vital information pertaining to standardizing care to mitigate the incidence of HAIs.

Engaging both qualitative and quantitative methodologies, we could also consider surveys to gather data on nurse-patient interactions regarding infection control education. Furthermore, conducting a pilot study within our institution may yield practical insights into preventive measures and challenges faced by nursing staff.

Anticipated Outcomes

Our exploration will not only aim to provide insights into effective infection prevention strategies but also contribute to enhancing the overall quality of patient care in our institution. Additionally, we aim to influence policy by promoting integrative solutions that support nursing staff and ensure that health resources address the high burden of HAIs adequately.

In summary, as the NEBP committee embarks upon our new research initiative, focusing on HAIs, particularly CLABSI and CAUTI, represents a timely and essential area for nursing inquiry. We expect our efforts will further the profession’s commitment to continuous improvement in safety and quality, ultimately benefiting patient outcomes and enhancing healthcare delivery systems.

References

• Berenholtz, S. M., et al. (2016). Eliminating CLABSI: A multidisciplinary approach. American Journal of Infection Control, 44(4), 359-365.
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2021). Healthcare-associated infections. Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/hai/index.html
• Houser, J. (2018). Nursing research: A quality improvement approach. Jones & Bartlett Learning.
• Schmidt, N. A., & Brown, J. M. (2017). Evidence-based practice for nurses: Appraisal and application of research. Jones & Bartlett Publishers.
• Sherwood, G., & Barnsteiner, J. (2017). Quality and safety in nursing: A competency approach to improving outcomes. Nursing Outlook, 65(2), 122-128.
• Zarb, P., et al. (2019). The effect of current infection control measures on healthcare-associated infections. Infection Control & Hospital Epidemiology, 40(5), 560-575.