Week 10: Components of Evidence-Based Practice: Grading the Evidence
What grade would you require of evidence to justify a practice change? Must it be an A or a solid 100? Would B+ or, say, 90, be enough? How would you attach a grading equivalent to the evidence you have appraised?
This final component of evidence-based practice does not require literally assigning a grade. However, it does involve evaluating what level of evidence in quantity and quality can justify a particular practice change, and the time, effort, and expense of a quality improvement initiative. Each situation and grading scale may be different depending on the specific practice problem, the potential outcomes, the urgency of the problem, and the attitudes—encouraging or uncompromising—of the stakeholders.
This week you complete this module with a critical assessment of the evidence from your literature review. Both in your Discussion with colleagues and your module Assignment, the strength and substance of what links your practice problem, evidence to address it, and the need for a practice change initiative, will be yours to explain and grade.
Learning Objectives
Students will:
Evaluate scholarly articles for a literature review
Analyze scholarly literature for evidence
Evaluate quality of evidence to inform practice change
Synthesize research to support nursing practice problems
Synthesize evidence to inform practice change
Justify quality improvement/practice change initiatives
Learning Resources
Required Readings (click to expand/reduce)
Optional Resources (click to expand/reduce)
Discussion: Clarifying Connections: Practice Problem, Evidence, Changing Practice
Your literature review should be completed at this point in the module. Working from that assumption, you will use this Discussion to share your preliminary outcomes and analysis from your literature review with colleagues for their comment. You may choose to incorporate feedback from peers before submitting your Module Assignment on Day 7, although that is not required. The aim of this Discussion is to support you in providing the kind of analysis, evaluation, and synthesis of evidence to a group that would be involved in presenting a quality improvement initiative to stakeholders.
To prepare:
Review the Module 4 Learning Resources with guidance for analyzing and synthesizing evidence from your literature review.
Complete your analysis of outcomes and synthesis of evidence to inform a practice change.
Consider the linkage between your practice problem, evidence to address it, and the need for a practice change initiative.
Assess the strength of this linkage and how to present it to colleagues.
To begin, it’s important to review the key components of your literature review:
**Practice Problem Identification**: Clearly articulate the practice problem or issue you’re addressing. This could be anything from medication errors in a hospital setting to disparities in healthcare access among certain demographics.
**Evidence Review**: Summarize the evidence you’ve found related to your practice problem. This includes studies, articles, guidelines, and other sources that shed light on the problem and potential solutions.
**Analysis of Outcomes**: Evaluate the outcomes reported in the literature. What changes have been implemented in response to the identified problem? What were the results of these changes? Were they effective in addressing the problem?
**Synthesis of Evidence**: Synthesize the findings from your literature review. Identify common themes, patterns, or gaps in the evidence. This helps to build a comprehensive understanding of the problem and potential solutions.
**Linkage to Practice Change**: Finally, consider how the evidence you’ve reviewed informs the need for a practice change initiative. How does the evidence support the need for change? What specific recommendations can be made based on the literature?
Once you’ve completed these steps, you can assess the strength of the linkage between your practice problem, the evidence you’ve gathered, and the proposed practice change initiative. Consider the following questions:
– Does the evidence clearly support the need for a practice change?
– Are there gaps in the evidence that need to be addressed?
– How feasible is it to implement the proposed practice change based on the available evidence?
– What potential barriers or challenges might arise in implementing the change?
In presenting your analysis to colleagues, it’s important to clearly communicate the rationale for the proposed practice change. Highlight the key findings from your literature review and explain how they support the need for change. Be prepared to engage in discussion and address any questions or concerns raised by your colleagues. Collaboration and feedback can help strengthen your analysis and ensure that the proposed practice change is well-supported and feasible.
With these thoughts in mind …
Week 10: Components of Evidence-Based Practice: Grading the Evidence
By Day 3 of Week 10
Post an explanation of the results of your literature review and the connection to your practice problem. Then, explain your synthesis of evidence on which to base a practice change, and the need for a practice change initiative. Be specific and provide examples.
Certainly! Let’s consider an example scenario to illustrate this:
**Practice Problem**: High rates of medication errors in a hospital setting, particularly during shift changes, leading to patient harm and increased healthcare costs.
**Results of Literature Review**:
– Identified several studies highlighting the prevalence and impact of medication errors during shift changes in hospitals.
– Found evidence suggesting that implementing standardized handoff protocols and communication tools can reduce medication errors and improve patient outcomes.
– Reviewed guidelines from professional healthcare organizations recommending the use of standardized handoff processes to enhance patient safety.
**Synthesis of Evidence**:
– The literature consistently demonstrates a significant association between medication errors and inadequate communication during shift changes.
– Studies consistently show that implementing standardized handoff protocols leads to a reduction in medication errors and improves patient safety.
– Evidence also suggests that involving multidisciplinary teams in the development and implementation of handoff protocols enhances their effectiveness.
**Connection to Practice Change**:
Based on the evidence gathered, there is a clear need for a practice change initiative to address medication errors during shift changes. Implementing standardized handoff protocols, supported by communication tools and involving multidisciplinary teams, presents a tangible solution to improve patient safety and reduce healthcare costs.
**Specific Examples**:
– The literature review highlighted a study where Hospital A implemented a standardized handoff protocol that included medication reconciliation and clear communication of critical information during shift changes. As a result, medication errors decreased by 30%, and incidents of patient harm related to medication errors dropped significantly.
– Guidelines from the Institute for Healthcare Improvement emphasize the importance of structured communication during handoffs and provide recommendations for implementing standardized processes tailored to the needs of individual healthcare settings.
In summary, the synthesis of evidence from the literature review supports the need for a practice change initiative aimed at implementing standardized handoff protocols to address medication errors during shift changes in hospitals. This evidence-based approach has the potential to significantly improve patient safety and quality of care.
Read a selection of your colleagues’ posts.
By Day 6 of Week 10
Respond to at least two colleagues on 2 different days with questions to clarify or suggestions to sharpen or finesse their explanation of their problem-evidence-change initiative linkage.
Note: For this Discussion, you are required to complete your initial post before you will be able to view and respond to your colleagues’ postings. Begin by clicking on the “Post to Discussion Question” link and then select “Create Thread” to complete your initial post. Remember, once you click on Submit, you cannot delete or edit your own posts, and you cannot post anonymously. Please check your post carefully before clicking on Submit!
Submission and Grading Information
Grading Criteria
To access your rubric:
Week 10 Discussion Rubric
Post by Day 3 of Week 10 and Respond by Day 6 of Week 10
To Participate in this Discussion:
Week 10 Discussion
Module 4 Assignment: Investigating a Critical Practice Question Through a Literature Review
Complete Parts 1 and 2 of your Assignment:
Part 1: Literature Review: Be sure you have completed all required sections of the template (PDF) document.
Part 2: Critical Assessment paper: Reflect on comments from colleagues in response to your Week 10 Discussion post. Apply feedback of value to you in completing your synthesis of evidence to inform a practice change initiative focusing on quality improvement.
Great job completing Parts 1 and 2 of your assignment! Now, as you prepare to reflect on the feedback provided by your colleagues, here are some questions and suggestions to consider:
**Clarity of Problem Statement**:
– Did your colleagues understand the practice problem you identified based on your literature review?
– Were there any questions or comments suggesting that the problem statement needed further clarification or refinement?
**Strength of Evidence Synthesis**:
– Did your colleagues find your synthesis of evidence convincing and well-supported?
– Were there any suggestions for additional evidence or sources that could strengthen your argument for a practice change initiative?
**Linkage between Evidence and Practice Change**:
– Were your colleagues able to see the connection between the evidence you presented and the proposed practice change initiative?
– Did any of your peers raise questions about the feasibility or potential challenges associated with implementing the proposed change?
**Reflection on Feedback**:
– How did you incorporate the feedback provided by your colleagues into your final synthesis of evidence and practice change initiative?
– Were there any particularly insightful suggestions or critiques that helped shape your final submission?
**Overall Clarity and Coherence**:
– Did your colleagues find your assignment easy to follow and understand?
– Were there any areas where further clarification or elaboration was needed?
By considering these questions and suggestions, you can ensure that your final submission effectively addresses the feedback provided by your colleagues and presents a well-reasoned synthesis of evidence to inform a practice change initiative. Good luck!
Photo Credit: [Steve Hix/Fuse]/[None]/Getty Images
Reminder: The College of Nursing requires that all papers submitted include a title page, introduction, summary, and references. The Sample Paper provided at the Walden Writing Center provides an example of those required elements (available at https://academicguides.waldenu.edu/writingcenter/templates/general#s-lg-box-20293632). All papers submitted must use this formatting.
Week 10: Components of Evidence-Based Practice: Grading the Evidence
By Day 7 of Week 10
Submit Parts 1 and 2 of your Assignment.
Submission and Grading Information
To submit your completed Assignment for review and grading, do the following:
Please save your Assignment using the naming convention “M4Assgn+last name+first initial.(extension)” as the name.
Click the Module 4 Assignment Rubric to review the Grading Criteria for the Assignment.
Click the Module 4 Assignment You will also be able to “View Rubric” for grading criteria from this area.
Next, from the Attach File area, click on the Browse My Computer Find the document you saved as “M4Assgn+last name+first initial.(extension)” and click Open.
If applicable: From the Plagiarism Tools area, click the checkbox for I agree to submit my paper(s) to the Global Reference Database.
Click on the Submit button to complete your submission.
Grading Criteria
To access your rubric:
Module 4 Assignment Rubric
Check Your Assignment Draft for Authenticity
To check your Assignment draft for authenticity:
Submit your Module 4 Assignment draft and review the originality report.
Submit Your Assignment by Day 7 of Week 10
To participate in this Assignment:
Module 4 Assignment
What’s Coming Up in Module 5!
Photo Credit: [BrianAJackson]/[iStock / Getty Images Plus]/Getty Images
In the next module, you will wrap up the course with a 1-week focus on challenges and opportunities as a DNP to advocate for quality improvement by leading practice change initiatives. Prepare to inspire colleagues and be inspired as you look ahead to beginning your DNP Project in the future.
As you prepare for the final module of your course, focusing on challenges and opportunities as a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) to advocate for quality improvement through leading practice change initiatives, here are some suggestions to help you make the most of this week:
**Reflect on Your Journey**: Take some time to reflect on your experiences throughout the course. Consider what you’ve learned about quality improvement, evidence-based practice, and leadership in healthcare settings. Reflect on your strengths and areas for growth as a future DNP.
**Identify Challenges and Opportunities**: Think about the challenges you may face as you work to advocate for quality improvement and lead practice change initiatives. These could include resistance to change, resource constraints, or navigating complex healthcare systems. Similarly, identify opportunities that excite you, such as collaborating with interdisciplinary teams, implementing innovative solutions, or making a meaningful impact on patient care outcomes.
**Share Insights and Lessons Learned**: During the final module, take the opportunity to share insights and lessons learned with your colleagues. Share any strategies or best practices you’ve discovered for overcoming challenges and seizing opportunities in quality improvement initiatives. Similarly, be open to learning from the experiences of others and be receptive to new ideas and perspectives.
**Set Goals for Your DNP Project**: Use this time to start thinking about your DNP project and how it aligns with your passion for quality improvement and practice change. Consider potential topics, research questions, and methodologies that will allow you to make a meaningful contribution to the field of nursing and healthcare.
**Stay Inspired**: Finally, remember to stay inspired and motivated as you look ahead to beginning your DNP project and embarking on your journey as a DNP. Keep in mind the impact you can have on patient care outcomes and the positive changes you can bring about through your leadership and advocacy efforts.
By approaching the final module with a spirit of reflection, anticipation, and inspiration, you can make the most of this opportunity to prepare for your future role as a DNP and leader in quality improvement and healthcare innovation.
Next Module
Week 10: Components of Evidence-Based Practice: Grading the Evidence
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