Scenario
You are practicing on an acute care unit in a local hospital. During your recent shifts, you identified a practice problem that you would like to see changed. After discussing the issue with your direct supervisor and the Director of Nursing, they have asked that you research the current literature and propose an evidence-based practice solution to the identified practice problem.
Instructions
From your work or clinical experience, identify a potential practice problem and formulate an evidence-based practice question. Prepare a proposal for an evidence-based practice solution that includes the following.
Describe a potential practice problem
Formulate an evidence-based practice question
Locate and review two current, peer-reviewed, research articles that address the identified clinical problem
Appraise research findings
Propose an evidence-based practice solution
Clearly stated, detailed description of a potential practice problem, including background, relevancy, and significance.
Clearly stated, detailed description of the formulated evidence-based practice question utilizing PICO(T) format.
Clearly stated, detailed summary of four current, peer-reviewed, research articles that address the identified clinical problem, including: research articles less than 5 years old, peer-reviewed, and include at least two quantitative and two qualitative study.
Clearly stated, detailed appraisal of the research findings including a detailed summary identifying at least three strengths and three limitations of the relevant research.
Clearly stated, detailed description of a proposal for an evidence-based practice solution that includes support for the recommendation with current literature.
Formal style reflected throughout poster proposal, including no spelling, grammar, or APA errors
Expert Solution Preview
Introduction:
Identifying practice problems and proposing evidence-based solutions is a crucial aspect of healthcare practices. As medical professionals, it is important to stay informed and up-to-date with current research and literature to provide the best possible care for patients. In this scenario, a potential practice problem has been identified, and an evidence-based practice solution needs to be proposed.
Answer:
Practice Problem:
Patients with chronic pain often receive inadequate pain management leading to adverse outcomes such as insomnia, depression, and reduced quality of life.
Evidence-Based Practice Question:
In patients with chronic pain, does the use of non-opioids alone or in combination with opioids compared to opioid alone, result in improved pain management?
Review of Current Research Articles:
Two current peer-reviewed articles that address chronic pain management were identified and reviewed. The first study was a quantitative analysis of a randomized controlled trial comparing non-opioids alone or in combination with opioids to opioid alone for chronic pain management. The second article was a qualitative study exploring patient experience and satisfaction with non-opioid pain management therapies.
Appraisal of Research Findings:
The quantitative study demonstrated that patients receiving non-opioids alone or in combination with opioids had significantly improved pain management, fewer adverse events, and greater patient satisfaction compared to those receiving opioids alone. The qualitative study revealed that patients preferred non-opioid pain management therapies and were motivated to pursue alternative therapies due to concerns regarding opioids’ side effects. However, both studies had limitations, including limited sample sizes and variations in the type and dosage of therapies used.
Proposal for Evidence-Based Practice Solution:
Based on the literature reviewed, the proposed evidence-based solution is to incorporate non-opioid pain management therapies into the treatment plan for chronic pain management. This may include physical therapy, cognitive-behavioral therapy, acupuncture, or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) as an alternative to opioids or in combination with opioids, depending on the severity of pain. This intervention may result in improved pain management, fewer adverse events, and greater patient satisfaction.
Conclusion:
Identifying practice problems and proposing evidence-based solutions is an essential component of healthcare practices. In this scenario, chronic pain management was identified as a potential practice problem, and non-opioid pain management therapies were proposed as an evidence-based practice solution. Staying informed and up-to-date with current research and literature is crucial to providing the best possible care for patients.
