Assessment Task - Research / Evidence-based Practice Paper

Task description - This task will require you to explore in detail an aspect of nursing practice based on a provided case study. The nursing practice will be explored from an organisational, nursing staff and client perspective. As part of this task, you will be required to use research and evidence commonly used to evaluate healthcare practice and suggest ways to improve patient outcomes based on the research findings.

Assessment criteria -

1. Demonstrates an understanding of how data is used to evaluate our practice;

2. Shows an understanding of the link between evidence and quality patient outcomes;

3. Demonstrates an ability to search for research evidence to answer a clinical question

4. Demonstrates an understanding of the different types of evidence underpinning nursing practice and healthcare service delivery;

5. Demonstrates the ability to use (integrate) research findings to answer a clinical question

Instructions / questions for your paper -

Part 1 -

You are working as a registered nurse in a large metropolitan hospital. The hospital has introduced the 'EARLY SAVE' program to reflect best practice in early recognition and response to clinical deterioration in addition to the existing Code Blue process for severe/life threatening medical emergencies. The program includes education for clinical staff, a more formalised Medical Emergency Team (MET) process, and the introduction of an Observation and Escalation Chart.

Figure 1 presents the patient outcomes following a Code Blue or MET call from data collected before the introduction of the program (Pre EARLY SAVE) and data collected over the same length of time post the introduction of the program (Post EARLY SAVE).

There were 160 MET calls in the pre-period, and 360 in the post-period. In the pre-period, the reasons for calling the MET included seizure/fitting (20%); worsening respiratory function (20%); acute respiratory distress (25%); suspected cardiac pain (20%); and alteration in vital signs indicating clinical deterioration (15%). In the post-period, the reasons for MET calls included worsening respiratory function (30%); acute respiratory distress (10%); a seizure or fitting (20%); suspected cardiac pain (10%); and alteration in vital signs indicating clinical deterioration (30%).

There were 140 Code Blue calls pre EARLY SAVE and 60 post, mainly for cardiac or respiratory arrest.

1. Based on the data presented, do you think the EARLY SAVE program has been effective in improving early recognition and response to clinical deterioration in your hospital? Why/ why not?

2. How might the data obtained pre and post the EARLY SAVE program be used by the hospital when reporting against National Safety and Quality Health Service (NSQHS) Standard 9: Recognising and responding to clinical deterioration in acute health care?

Part 2 -

Should family members be allowed to be present during the resuscitation of their loved one in the acute care setting? Why, or why not? Please ensure that you refer to the highest possible levels of research evidence available to justify your answer.

Attachment:- Assignment Files.rar