NURS FPX 8035 Assessment 3 Restate The PICOT Question and Outcomes of the Intervention

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Capella university

NURS-FPX 8035 Foundations of Evidence-Based Practice in Nursing 

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Date

Restate The PICOT Question and Outcomes of the Intervention

Introduction to PICOT in Healthcare

The PICOT framework is a crucial tool in healthcare research that helps in answering specific clinical questions. PICOT stands for Patient/Population, Intervention, Comparison, Outcome, and Time, which collectively guide the structure of research studies. In this article, the focus is on a particular PICOT question: “In hospitalized patients (P), does the implementation of incident reporting (I), compared to the absence of such reporting (C), enhance patient safety (O) within a six-month period (T)?” This question is informed by the research conducted by Petschnig and Haslinger-Baumann (2017), which explores the role of incident reporting systems in improving patient safety outcomes.

Understanding the Components of the PICOT Question

The components of the PICOT framework in this study are outlined as follows:

• P (Patients): Refers to individuals who are admitted to the hospital.
• I (Intervention): Involves the implementation of an incident reporting system within the hospital.
• C (Comparison): Compares the situation where incident reporting is absent.
• O (Outcome): Measures the improvement in patient safety metrics, such as the reduction in incidents.
• T (Time): Specifies a six-month period for data collection and evaluation.

This framework plays a pivotal role in assessing the effectiveness of evidence-based practices (EBP) in improving healthcare safety and quality.

Desired Outcomes of the Intervention

The primary goal of the incident reporting system is to reduce injuries among patients, nurses, and hospital staff. This includes preventing incidents such as falls, medication errors, and allergic reactions caused by medications. A preliminary review of data from previous years shows a concerning number of safety incidents. In 2018, there were three patient falls and two allergy-related incidents due to medication errors. In 2019, the number of patient falls rose to four, along with one nurse injury and one staff treatment incident.

However, following the implementation of the incident reporting system in 2020, the results were much improved. In that year, there were no reported patient falls, and only one incident involving an allergy reaction due to a medication error. These results reflected a 100% reduction in patient falls and a 50% decrease in allergic reactions compared to the previous year. Furthermore, there were no reports of nurse or staff injuries in 2020, indicating the system’s effectiveness during its first year (Petschnig & Haslinger-Baumann, 2017).

Continuing the Intervention Plan

The incident reporting intervention is designed to be continuously evaluated over a three-month period, with ongoing data collection to assess its success. To measure the intervention’s effectiveness, key performance indicators (KPIs) will include the following:

• The frequency of reported incidents per week.
• The average response time for each reported incident.

By establishing these KPIs, the program ensures that all aspects of the intervention are thoroughly monitored. Data will be collected on various parameters, such as incident categories, personnel response times, incident durations, the individuals responsible for recording incidents, and patient demographics, including age and gender. Regular reporting (weekly, monthly, or annually) will allow for the identification of both short-term and long-term trends, facilitating informed decision-making and enabling the implementation of corrective actions as necessary.

NURS FPX 8035 Assessment 3 Restate The PICOT Question and Outcomes of the Intervention

Strategies for Sustaining the Intervention

For an intervention to be successful and sustainable, it requires strong support from hospital management. A proactive approach by management, as outlined by Carlfjord et al. (2018), is essential for the sustained success of the incident reporting system. Management should engage in strategy sessions that involve nurses, physicians, and other hospital staff. These meetings allow for the integration of their insights and experiences, thereby fostering a collaborative effort to continuously improve patient safety.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the implementation of an incident reporting system within hospitals has shown promising results in enhancing patient safety. The preliminary data highlights significant reductions in safety incidents, underscoring the importance of continued evaluation and staff involvement in sustaining these improvements. By using the PICOT framework, healthcare facilities can systematically assess and refine their practices, contributing to a safer environment for both patients and staff.

References

Carlfjord, S., Ohrn, A., & Gunnarsson, A. (2018). Experiences from ten years of incident reporting in health care: A qualitative study among department managers and coordinators. BMC Health Services Research, 18(1), 1-9.

NURS FPX 8035 Assessment 3 Restate The PICOT Question and Outcomes of the Intervention

Petschnig, W., & Haslinger-Baumann, E. (2017). Critical Incident Reporting System (CIRS): A fundamental component of risk management in health care systems to enhance patient safety. Safety in Health, 3(1), 1-16.

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Table: Summary of the PICOT Components

Component	Description
P (Patient/Population)	Patients who are admitted to the hospital.
I (Intervention)	The implementation of an incident reporting system.
C (Comparison)	The absence of an incident reporting system.
O (Outcome)	Improvement in patient safety, such as reductions in falls and medication errors.
T (Time)	Six-month period for data collection and evaluation.