NR 449 Evidence Based Practice Healthcare Associated Infection
Student Name
Chamberlain University
NR-449 Evidence-Based Practice
Prof. Name
Date
Clinical Question
In the healthcare sector, countless questions arise regarding patient safety, treatment outcomes, and operational protocols. To address such questions effectively, it is important to clarify the objective of the inquiry: Are we seeking qualitative insights or quantitative measurements? Each approach serves a distinct purpose.
This paper focuses on Healthcare-Associated Infections (HAIs)—infections acquired by patients during their stay in a hospital or healthcare facility that were not present upon admission. These infections often result from lapses in infection prevention protocols, inadequate sterilization, or failure to adhere to established guidelines.
HAIs present a significant threat not only to patient safety but also to healthcare institutions, as they can lead to prolonged hospital stays, increased healthcare costs, and reputational damage. The aim of this paper is to analyze risk factors, explore evidence-based prevention strategies, and evaluate effective measures healthcare personnel can employ to reduce HAIs.
NR 449 Evidence Based Practice Healthcare Associated Infection
The PICOT question guiding this study is:
“What preventions can be done by healthcare personnel to decrease the occurrences of HAIs?”
Evidence suggests the global burden of HAIs is substantial. According to the Asian Pacific Journal of Tropical Biomedicine, HAIs affect approximately 7% of hospitalized patients in developed countries and 10% in developing nations (Khan, Baig, & Mehboob, 2017). The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that 15% of all hospitalized patients experience HAIs, with rates escalating to 51% among patients in intensive care units (ICUs) (WHO, 2017). Research published in the Journal of Hospital Infection emphasizes that performance management approaches can improve HAI reporting, though they also present challenges (Brewster, Tarrant, & Dixon-Woods, 2016).
This paper will examine the various transmission routes of HAIs and identify targeted prevention strategies to minimize their occurrence.
Levels of Evidence
The most suitable evidence for answering the group’s research question includes both qualitative and quantitative studies.
Qualitative Evidence
Qualitative research is valuable for understanding the human and organizational dimensions of infection prevention. It provides insights into patient and staff perspectives, cultural barriers, and behavioral compliance with hygiene protocols (Houser, 2018). Such studies are particularly useful for identifying the needs of vulnerable populations, including immunocompromised patients, post-surgical patients, and newborns.
Furthermore, qualitative findings help in designing interventions that are both acceptable to staff and feasible to implement in clinical settings. They also address process-oriented issues, such as adherence challenges, communication gaps, and workflow integration.
A notable study in the Journal of Hospital Infection found that structured accountability systems correlated with reduced infection rates. However, these systems sometimes fostered negative consequences such as “tunnel vision,” fear-driven cultures, and suppression of open reporting (Brewster, Tarrant, & Dixon-Woods, 2016). Staff may hesitate to report breaches in protocol due to fear of punishment or financial repercussions for the institution.
Quantitative Evidence
Quantitative studies provide measurable, statistically valid data on the impact of interventions. They are instrumental in assessing the effectiveness of infection control measures, comparing variables, and monitoring trends over time (Houser, 2018).
For instance, quantitative research can track whether implementing stricter hand hygiene protocols results in a statistically significant drop in HAI rates. Data analysis allows healthcare facilities to adjust their strategies based on performance metrics, ensuring continuous improvement.
NR 449 Evidence Based Practice Healthcare Associated Infection
The table below summarizes the value of both qualitative and quantitative evidence in HAI research:
| Evidence Type | Primary Focus | Strengths | Limitations |
|---|---|---|---|
| Qualitative | Experiences, perceptions, and implementation processes | Provides in-depth understanding, patient/staff perspectives, identifies barriers | Results are not generalizable; potential for researcher bias |
| Quantitative | Numerical measurement and statistical outcomes | Objective, measurable, allows trend analysis, supports causal inference | May overlook contextual and cultural factors influencing outcomes |
Search Strategy
To identify relevant research on Healthcare-Associated Infections, I employed two primary search engines: CINAHL Complete (via the university library) and Google Scholar.
Search Terms Used:
- “Healthcare-Associated Infections prevention qualitative or quantitative”
- “Hospital-acquired infections”
- “Nosocomial infection prevention”
Applying varied terminology increased the breadth of relevant results. Search filters included:
- Peer-reviewed articles only
- Published within the last five years to ensure relevance and up-to-date evidence
Numerous relevant articles emerged, but many were excluded for being outdated or not directly addressing both qualitative and quantitative aspects.
The two selected articles were:
- Qualitative study of views and experiences of performance management for healthcare-associated infections (Journal of Hospital Infection)
- Nosocomial infections: Epidemiology, prevention, control and surveillance (Asian Pacific Journal of Tropical Biomedicine)
These were chosen because they provide comprehensive coverage of both qualitative and quantitative dimensions of HAI research while aligning with the study’s timeframe requirements.
References
Brewster, L., Tarrant, C., & Dixon-Woods, M. (2016). Qualitative study of views and experiences of performance management for healthcare-associated infections. Journal of Hospital Infection, 94(1), 41–47. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhin.2016.01.021
Houser, J. (2018). Nursing research: Reading, using, and creating evidence. Burlington, MA: Jones & Bartlett Learning.
NR 449 Evidence Based Practice Healthcare Associated Infection
Khan, H. A., Baig, F. K., & Mehboob, R. (2017). Nosocomial infections: Epidemiology, prevention, control and surveillance. Asian Pacific Journal of Tropical Biomedicine, 7(5), 478–482. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apjtb.2017.01.019
World Health Organization. (2017). Health care-associated infections fact sheet. WHO. https://www.who.int/gpsc/country_work/gpsc_ccisc_fact_sheet_en.pdf