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Introduction to the importance of nursing theories
Introduction to the importance of nursing theories
Introduction to the importance of nursing theories
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Nursing theories are the support of nursing practice nowadays. Application of nursing theory into practice has significant impact on improving quality of patient care and overall healthcare outcomes. In particular, a practice theory called Plan-Do-Study-Act cycle (PDSA), developed by W. Edwards Deming, can be applied to improve processes in healthcare settings. According to Varkey, Relle, & Resar (2007), this theory “involves trial-and-learning approach in which a hypothesis or suggested solution for improvement is made and testing is carried out on a small scale before any changes are made to the whole system” (p. 736). Healthcare processes need to be constantly evaluated based on evidenced-based-practice for quality improvement and better patient outcomes. Nursing leaders have significant impact on quality management and empowering employees to seek process improvement.
In my paper, I will discuss application of PDSA cycle in quality improvement to decrease catheter-associated-urinary-tract-infections (CAUTIs) among elderly patients. Gained knowledge will help with identification of strategy to reduce the number of CAUTIs in acute care settings. Furthermore, staff will be empowered to improve the delivery of care to this population and management will revise existing policies and procedures to provide standards for improved practice. Overall, reduction in the occurrence of CAUTIs will result in higher quality management and better patient outcomes.
Catheter-Associated-Urinary-Tract-Infections
During hospitalization for other conditions within ones health, healthcare-associated-infections (HAIs) develop. According to Stone (2009), they are the fifth leading cause of death in United States acute-care facilities. Most com...
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...s among healthcare workers in nursing homes. Journal Of The American Geriatrics Society, 58(8), 1532-1537. doi:10.1111/j.1532-5415.2010.02964.x
Sedor, J., & Mulholland, S. (1999). Hospital acquired urinary track infections associated with the indwelling catheter. Urology Clinic of North America, 26(4), 821-828.
Stone, P. (2009). Economic burden of healthcare-associated infections: an American perspective. Expert Review Of Pharmacoeconomics & Outcomes Research, 9(5), 417-422. doi:10.1586/erp.09.53
Sundvall, P., Ulleryd, P., & Gunnarsson, R. (2011). Urine culture doubtful in determining etiology of diffuse symptoms among elderly individuals: a cross-sectional study of 32 nursing homes. BMC Family Practice, 1236. doi:10.1186/1471-2296-12-36
Varkey, P., Reller, M., & Resar, R. (2007). Basics of quality improvement in health care. Mayo Clinic Proceedings, 82(6), 735-739.
BioPatch, and alternatives like Tegaderm CHG, are an important first step in helping prevent catheter-related bloodstream infections (CBIs). As CBIs rank among the most frequent and potentially lethal nosocomial infections, the need for a device to cut down infections at the insertion site has increased. The growing numbers of infections has driven companies to consider a three-tiered approach: a maximal aseptic barrier at insertion, proper site maintenance, and hub protection. With BioPatch and alternative products catheter sites receive that maximal aseptic barrier to prevent bacteria growth.
Vegas AA, Jodra VM, García ML (1993) Nosocomial infection in surgery wards: a controlled study of increased duration of hospital stays and directs cost of hospitalization. Eur J Epidemiol. 9:504–510.
Catheter Acquired Urinary Tract Infections (CAUTIs) has become to be classified as one among the leading infections which most individuals end up being susceptible to acquire while at the hospital. Healthcare-associated or acquired infections (HAIs) are a significant cause of illness, death, and more often than not, have resulted to cost the tax payers potentially high medical expenses in most health care settings. ("Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality," para. 1) Due to this, 1 out of every 20 patients will end up with CAUTI within the US hospitals and this has caused Agency for healthcare research and quality (AHRQ) to embark on nationwide plans to help in the eradication and control of CAUTI incidences. ("Agency
The topic that I chose is interventions used to reduce catheter associated urinary tract infections(CAUTI). This type of infection is acquired from the use of urinary catheter while in the hospital. According to the Institute for Healthcare Improvement, urinary tract infections are responsible for 40 percent of all hospital-acquired infections annually, with 80% of these hospital acquired infection caused by use of indwelling urinary catheters. When any type of tubes or catheters are introduced in the body it serves as a medium for infection. Urinary catheters are used during surgery to prevent injury to the bladder. It is also used for urinary retention or bladder obstruction. The implementation of evidenced based practice when providing care
Central lines (CL) are used frequently in hospitals throughout the world. They are placed by trained health care providers, many times nurses, using sterile technique but nosocomial central line catheter associated blood stream infections (CLABSI) have been a dangerous issue. This is a problem that nurses need to pay particular attention to, and is a quality assurance issue, because CLABSI’s “are associated with increased morbidity, mortality, and health care costs” (The Joint Commission, 2012). There have been numerous studies conducted, with the objective to determine steps to take to decrease CLABSI infection rate, and research continues to be ongoing today. The problem is prevalent on many nursing units, with some patients at great risk than others, but some studies have shown if health care providers follow the current literature, or evidence based guidelines, CLABSIs can be prevented (The Joint Commission, 2012). The purpose of this paper is to summarize current findings related to this topic, and establish a quality assurance (QA) change plan nurses can implement for CL placement and maintenance, leading to decreased risk of nosocomial CLABSIs.
Scott, II, R. D. (2009). The direct medical costs of healthcare-associated infections in U.S. hospitals and the benefits of prevention. Retrieved from http://www.cdc.gov/hai/pdfs/hai/scott_costpaper.pdf
Scott II, D. R. (2009). The direct medical costs of healthcare-associated infections in U.S. hospitals and the benefits of prevention. Retrieved from http://www.cdc.gov/HAI/pdfs/hai/Scott_CostPaper.pdf
Health care facilities - whether hospitals, nursing homes or outpatient facilities - can be dangerous places for the acquisition of infections (EHA). The most common type of nosocomial infections are surgical wound infections, respiratory infections, genitourinary infections and gastrointestinal infection (EHA). Nosocomial infections are those that originate or occur in health care setting (Abedon). They can also be defined as those that occur within 48 hours of hospital admission, 3 days of discharge or 30 days of an operation (Inweregbu). These infections are often caused by breaches of infection control practices and procedures, unclean and non-sterile environmental surfaces, and ill employees (EHA). Immunocompromised patients, the elderly and young children are usually more susceptible to these types of infections. Nosocomial infections are transmitted through direct contact from the hospital staff, inadequately sterilized instruments, aerosol droplets from other ill patients or even the food and water provided at the hospital (EHA). The symptoms of nosocomial infections vary by type but may include inflammation, discharge, fever, abscesses, and pain and irritation at the infection site (Stubblefield).
...s and measurement to decrease healthcare- associated infections. American Journal Of Infection Control, pp. S19-S25. doi:10.1016/j.ajic.2012.02.008.
To make good nursing decisions, nurses require an internal roadmap with knowledge of nursing theories. Nursing theories, models, and frameworks play a significant role in nursing, and they are created to focus on meeting the client’s needs for nursing care. According to McEwen and Wills (2014), conceptual models and theories could create mechanisms, guide nurses to communicate better, and provide a “systematic means of collecting data to describe, explain, and predict” about nursing and its practice (p. 25). Most of the theories have some common concepts; others may differ from one theory to other. This paper will evaluate two nursing theorists’ main theories include Sister Callista Roy’s
Community-acquired bladder infections. These infections occur when people who aren’t in a medical care facility develop a bladder infection.
Quality improvement (QI) involves the regular and constant actions that enable measurable improvement in health care. QI results in enhanced health services, organizational efficiency, quality and safe care to patients, and desired health outcomes for individuals and patient populations (U. S. Department of Health and Human Service, 2011). A successful quality improvement program is patient-centered, a collaboration of teams, and uses data in systems. QI helps to develop a culture of excellence in nursing, identify and prioritize areas of improvement, promote communication and collaboration, collect and analyze data, and encourage continuous evaluation of systems and processes (American Academy
Bengoa, R. (2006). Quality of care: a process for making strategic choices in health systems.. Geneva: World Health Organization.
Hospital acquired infections are one of the most common complications of care in the hospital setting. Hospital acquired infections are infections that patients acquired during the stay in the hospital. These infections can cause an increase in the number of days the patients stay in the hospital. Hospital acquired infections make the patients worse or even cause death. “In the USA alone, hospital acquired infections cause about 1.7 million infections and 99,000 deaths per year”(secondary).
Understanding quality measurement is essential in improving quality. Teams need to be able to understand whether the changes being made are actually leading to improved care and improved outcomes. For data to have an impact on an improvement initiative, providers and staff must understand it, trust it, and use it. Health care organization must understand the measurement of quality provided by the Institute of Medicine (patient outcomes, patient satisfaction, compliance, efficiency, safe, timely, patient centered, and equitable. An organization cannot improve its performance if it does not know how it is performing. Measuring quality improvements is essential as it reflects the quality of care given by the providers and that by comparing performance