NR 449 Evidence Based Practice Healthcare Associated Infection

Student Name

Chamberlain University

NR-449 Evidence-Based Practice

Prof. Name:

Date

Clinical Question

The healthcare industry is consistently confronted with inquiries that span various disciplines, guided by the type of information required and whether the goal is to gain qualitative or quantitative insights. This paper focuses on Healthcare-Associated Infections (HAIs), which are defined as infections that patients acquire while receiving care in a healthcare facility, but which were not present at the time of their admission. These infections often result from non-compliance with established protocols and pose significant challenges for patients and healthcare institutions alike. The primary focus of this discussion is to examine the risk factors contributing to HAIs and identify preventive strategies that healthcare personnel can implement.

The PICOT question guiding this exploration is: “What preventive measures can healthcare personnel implement to reduce the occurrence of HAIs?” Research indicates that HAIs significantly impact hospitalized patients, with studies showing their prevalence to be as high as 51% among patients in Intensive Care Units (ICUs) (Tropical Biomedicine, 2017). Additionally, the Journal of Hospital Infection (2016) highlights how performance management can improve the reporting and reduction of HAIs. This paper seeks to explore how these infections are contracted and to propose effective prevention strategies that can mitigate their incidence.

Levels of Evidence

Addressing HAIs effectively requires a combination of qualitative and quantitative studies to ensure a well-rounded understanding. Qualitative studies provide insights into the processes and challenges surrounding the implementation of preventive measures. They also highlight the real-world impacts of interventions, including how they are perceived and adopted by healthcare personnel (Houser, 2018). For instance, a study on performance management demonstrated that institutions with clearly defined accountability structures experienced a notable reduction in HAIs (Brewster, Tarrant, & Dixon-Woods, 2016). However, the study also revealed drawbacks, including tunnel vision, marginalization of other critical issues, and a culture of fear that might discourage learning and accurate reporting.

Quantitative studies, on the other hand, provide measurable data and statistical analyses that assess relationships between variables and the effectiveness of interventions. They are instrumental in determining the outcomes of specific strategies for reducing HAIs. Together, qualitative and quantitative evidence create a comprehensive foundation for understanding and implementing preventive measures that can significantly reduce the occurrence of HAIs (Houser, 2018).

Search Strategy

To locate relevant literature on HAIs and their prevention, databases such as CINAHL Complete (through the school’s library) and Google Scholar were utilized. Search terms included “Healthcare-Associated Infections prevention,” “qualitative or quantitative,” and “hospital-acquired infections.” To expand the search, synonymous terms were also included. The search parameters were refined to peer-reviewed articles published within the last five years, ensuring the inclusion of the most current research.

Two articles were selected for their relevance and comprehensive coverage. The first article, titled “Qualitative study of views and experiences of performance management for healthcare-associated infections,” provides insights into the role of performance management in reducing HAIs (Brewster, Tarrant, & Dixon-Woods, 2016). The second article, “Nosocomial Infections: Epidemiology, prevention, control, and Surveillance,” offers a detailed overview of preventive measures (Tropical Biomedicine, 2017).