BHA FPX 4010 Assessment 4 Develop a Research Plan

Student Name

Capella University

BHA-FPX4010 Introduction to Health Care Research

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Date

Developing a Research Plan

This paper focuses on clarifying a research problem, purpose statement, and research question within the context of a research plan. Additionally, it explains a selected data collection method and explores measurement reliability and validity, supported by relevant examples.

Part 1: Problem Statement

Each year, between 4,000 and 6,000 surgical procedures in the United States report cases of retained surgical equipment unintentionally left inside patients’ bodies after surgery, which raises significant concerns regarding patient safety (Fenner, 2019). These incidents, which can involve items such as sponges, clips, needles, and caps, require corrective measures to prevent potential harm to patients (Fencl, 2016). Human error is identified as a key factor contributing to these occurrences (Birolini et al., 2016). Therefore, it is essential to identify and address the root causes to improve patient safety in surgical environments.

Part 2: Purpose Statement

The objective of this research is to reduce the occurrence of retained surgical items in operating rooms across the United States by implementing the National Patient Safety Agency’s Five Steps to Safer Surgery program. This initiative aims to improve the education and practices of surgical staff, ultimately decreasing the frequency of such safety errors and enhancing patient care outcomes (Pyrek, 2017; Woodman, 2016). The purpose is aligned with addressing the identified problem in operating rooms and proposes a systematic approach for its resolution (Woodman, 2016).

Part 3: Qualitative Research Question

The qualitative research question seeks to explore the factors that contribute to the rising rates of retained surgical errors, despite the presence of existing safety protocols. Through qualitative inquiry, this study aims to reveal underlying issues and perspectives of surgical staff, which will facilitate the development of effective solutions (Choo et al., 2015). Employing an ethnographic research methodology provides a comprehensive understanding of the social dynamics and behaviors within operating rooms, assisting in the identification of strategies for improvement (Chawla & Jones, 2017).

Part 4: Data Collection, Reliability, and Validity

Observation is identified as the preferred data collection method for this qualitative study, enabling researchers to immerse themselves in the surgical environment and capture nuanced interactions and practices (Smit & Onwuegbuzie, 2018). By ensuring objectivity and careful data recording, the reliability and validity of the findings are maintained (Hasnida & Ghazali, 2016). Reliability ensures consistent results across observations, while validity guarantees the accurate measurement of the phenomena being studied (Hasnida & Ghazali, 2016).

Conclusion

In summary, addressing the issue of retained surgical items requires a comprehensive approach that includes improved safety protocols, staff education, and effective communication. Through thorough research and the implementation of evidence-based strategies, the goal of reducing such incidents and enhancing patient safety can be realized.

References

Birolini, D. V., Rasslan, S., & Utiyama, E. M. (2016). Unintentionally retained foreign bodies after surgical procedures: Analysis of 4547 cases. SciELO Analytics, 43(1), 12–17. https://doi.org/10.1590/0100-69912016001004

Chawla, D., & Jones, R. M. (2017). Ethnography/ethnographic methods. The International Encyclopedia of Communication Research Methods, 1–18. https://doi.org/10.1002/9781118901731.iecrm0090

Choo, E. K., Garro, A. C., Ranney, M. L., & Meisel, Z. F. (2015). Qualitative research in emergency care part I: Research principles and common applications. Academic Emergency Medicine Journal, 22(9), 1096–1102. https://doi.org/10.1111/acem.12736

Dodgson, J. E. (2017). About research: Qualitative methodologies. SAGE, 33(2), 355–358. https://doi.org/10.1177/0890334417698693

Fencl, J. L. (2016). Guideline implementation: Prevention of retained surgical items. AORN Journal, 104(1), 37–48. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aorn.2016.05.005

Fenner, K. (2019). The Joint Commission’s Hospital National Patient Safety Goals for 2018. Compass Clinical Consulting. https://www.compassclinical.com/the-joint-commission-national-patient-safety-goals-for-2018/