Impact of Hand Hygiene Protocol on Infections

This assignment analyzes a nursing research study investigating the impact of a new hand hygiene protocol on reducing hospital-acquired infections (HAIs) among critically ill patients in an ICU setting. The study employed a pre-experimental design with a quantitative approach, utilizing data collected through interviews and statistical analysis to assess the effectiveness of the intervention. The researchers found that the new protocol significantly improved hand-washing compliance among nurses, leading to a reduction in HAIs. This study provides valuable evidence for nursing practice and highlights the importance of implementing effective infection control measures.

Running head: EVIDENCE BASED NURSING RESEARCH 1
Evidence Based Nursing Research
Name
Institution

EVIDENCE BASED NURSING RESEARCH 2
Synopsis
The title of the study is a good one and succinctly suggesting key variables (patient hand
hygiene protocol, hospital acquired infections, improve hand washing among nurses) and study
population. The abstract clearly and concisely summarize the major features of report including
background, problem, objective, methods, results, and conclusion. The introduction has easily
identifiable, clear and unambiguous statement of the problem as critically ill patients being at a
high risk of hospital-acquired infections thereby increasing their morbidity alongside mortality.
And this problem statement clearly builds a cogent and persuasive argument for new
study and has significance for nursing as it recognizes RN as the main healthcare providers of
physical care like hygiene to decrease and bar hospital-acquired infections for critically
hospitalized ill patients. Nurses will benefit from the new hygiene protocol which will enhance
nurses’ hand-washing compliance in the ICU.
The paradigm and methods used (pre-experimental study design) effectively matched the
research problem it helped solve the problem. The quantitative approach remained suitable as it
enabled test the explicitly stated and appropriately worded hypothesis and answer the research
questions effectively. The hypothesis builds from the up-to-date literature and conceptual
framework mainly from primary sources.
Literature review has provided a state-of-the-art synthesis of evidence on research
problem supported by efficient in-text citation and referencing thus providing a sound basis for
novel study. The researcher has adequately defined key concepts conceptually with theoretical
framework and rationale. The researchers used right method to protect rights of participants
based on suitable procedures that safeguarded the subjects’ rights though never subjected to
external review by an institutional review board/ethics review board.

EVIDENCE BASED NURSING RESEARCH 3
The research was designed to minimize risks and maximize benefits to participants with
most rigorous design commensurate with research purpose based on suitable comparisons that
greatly enhanced the findings’ interpretability though not blinded. Appropriate number of data
collection points was guaranteed with design minimizing bias and threats to internal, construct,
alongside external study validity study
The researcher identified and described the population in sufficient details based on best
conceivable sampling design that enhanced representativeness of the sample as sample biases
stood greatly minimized. Adequate sample was used. Congruency in operational and conceptual
definition was guaranteed with key variables operationalized based on best feasible method as
interviews with adequate justification. The scholars described good choices instruments suitable
to purpose and population. There is enough evidence that the data collection methods generated
high reliability and validity data (Allegranzi & Pittet, 2009)).
The intervention (new protocol) is described adequately with proper implementation with
most subjects being allocated to and received the intervention buttressed by intervention fidelity.
Data collection minimized biased based on trained staff. Efficient analysis was assumed thus
fully addressing each question based on suitable statistical methods acknowledging variables
measurement level and quantity of groups being compared. The confounding variables was
controlled because of most powerful analytical method used permitting the avoidance of both
type I and II errors.
The authors presented information about statistical significance alongside information on
effect size and estimates’ precision of like confidence intervals via adequately summarized
findings using figures and tables. The result reporting manner facilitates meta-analysis coupled
with adequate info required for EBP. Major findings have been interpreted and discussed within

EVIDENCE BASED NURSING RESEARCH 4
the context of previous study’s conceptual framework with justified causal inferences and
consistent with findings and limitations of study. Issues of findings’ generalizability well
covered. Reusable and complete study implications for clinical practice and future researcher are
well covered based on well- written, organized and adequately comprehensive for critical
analysis. A CONSORT flow chart was provided clearly showing participants’ flow with report
being written in a way that made results accessible to practicing RN.
The researchers’ clinical, substantive and methodologic qualifications alongside
experience enhanced confidence in results and corresponding interpretation. Albeit the identified
limitations, the results seemed valid and the result values are truthful (Lam, Lee & Lau, 2004).
This study provides meaningful evidence useful for nursing practice/nursing discipline.

EVIDENCE BASED NURSING RESEARCH 5
References
Allegranzi, B., & Pittet, D. (2009). Role of hand hygiene in healthcare-associated infection
prevention. Journal of Hospital Infection, 73(4), 305-315.
Lam, B. C., Lee, J., & Lau, Y. L. (2004). Hand hygiene practices in a neonatal intensive care
unit: a multimodal intervention and impact on nosocomial infection. Pediatrics, 114(5), e565-
e571.