NR 449 Week 5 RUA Evidence Based Practice 12

NR 449 Week 5 RUA Evidence Based Practice 12

Student Name

Chamberlain University

NR-449 Evidence-Based Practice

Prof. Name:

Date

Clinical Question

The COVID-19 pandemic has profoundly impacted lives across the globe, posing unique challenges to healthcare systems. Among these challenges, the implementation of quarantine and isolation measures in long-term care facilities has been particularly significant. These restrictions have adversely affected patient and family engagement, leading to negative consequences such as increased complications and heightened patient mortality rates.

Research by Tupper, Ward, and Parmar (2020) highlights the positive effects of family presence on the quality of life and mortality rates of residents in long-term care facilities. The absence of family members in such settings has resulted in care inconsistencies, healthcare errors, and missed opportunities to address individual patient needs. Moreover, the psychological well-being of patients has deteriorated due to enforced isolation, further exacerbating complications and increasing mortality rates.

Recognizing the importance of family engagement during the pandemic, our group developed the PICOT question: “Patient and Family Engagement during a Pandemic.” This question addresses the widespread concerns raised during 2020 regarding restricted family involvement and its adverse effects on patient outcomes, healthcare workers, and family members. This paper explores the negative impact of these restrictions, the broader implications, and the need for actionable solutions.

Synthesis of Literature

Research by Tupper et al. (2020) investigates the link between family visits and patient well-being, including their effects on healthcare staff. The study identifies two critical variables: family visits (independent variable) and patient well-being (dependent variable). The findings demonstrate that allowing family visits correlates with enhanced patient health outcomes. This qualitative research underscores the importance of balancing family involvement with safety protocols for all parties involved.

Similarly, a study by Burn and Chung (2010) examines the role of evidence-based medicine in addressing clinical questions. The independent variable in this study is the formulation of clinical questions, while the dependent variable is the application of evidence-based medicine. Findings reveal the vital role of evidence-based practices in shaping healthcare quality and improving outcomes. Both studies emphasize the importance of addressing family engagement within evidence-based frameworks to optimize patient care during a pandemic.

Levels of Evidence

Our group’s prognosis-focused PICOT question aims to predict the outcomes of interventions promoting patient and family engagement during the pandemic. Cohort studies, particularly prospective ones, are well-suited for prognosis questions as they compare outcomes between two groups with similar characteristics but different interventions (Burn & Chung, 2010).

In our study, one group of hospitalized patients and their families received targeted interventions to enhance family engagement, while the control group did not. A prospective cohort design allows for real-time monitoring and intervention adjustments, making it an appropriate choice during the dynamic circumstances of the pandemic. This approach aligns with level two evidence, indicating moderate certainty in the study outcomes. Insights from this research help evaluate the prognosis and effects of family engagement interventions on patients and their families.

Search Strategies

To gather relevant literature, I utilized multiple search strategies. Using the Chamberlain University Library, I searched for terms like “family and patient engagement during a pandemic” and “COVID-19 pandemic.” Databases such as CU libraries and Google Scholar provided a wealth of information. To streamline my search, I applied filters, focusing on peer-reviewed articles published in the last five years and restricted to the United States.

These strategies allowed me to identify two critical studies that address the challenges of family and patient engagement in healthcare settings. These articles offered valuable insights into methods for enhancing engagement and addressing the unique challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic. By employing these targeted search strategies, I was able to gather essential information for our group’s analysis.

Conclusion

The two studies discussed provide meaningful insights supporting our analysis and hypothesis. One article explores the adoption of evidence-based practices in American medicine, while the other focuses on the impact of COVID-19 on family engagement in healthcare. During the pandemic, family involvement in inpatient care has shifted dramatically to minimize virus transmission risks. However, the critical role of family engagement in improving patient outcomes cannot be overlooked. Strategies to maintain family involvement while reducing infection risks are essential for advancing healthcare practices. The findings from these studies contribute to developing practical approaches for fostering engagement during challenging times.

References

Burn, P. B., & Chung, K. C. (2010). Evidence-based medicine and clinical questions: A qualitative approach. Journal of Clinical Evidence, 1(1), 1–5. https://doi.org/10.1097/PRS.0b013e3181de24a

Houser, J. (2018). Nursing research: Reading, using, and creating evidence. Jones & Bartlett Learning.

NR 449 Week 5 RUA Evidence Based Practice 12

Tupper, S. M., Ward, H., & Parmar, J. (2020). The impact of family presence on quality of life in long-term care: A qualitative study. Canadian Geriatrics Journal, 23(4), 335–339. https://doi.org/10.5770/cgj.23.476

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