Critique Report on Two Articles on Medication Safety in Healthcare

Critique Report
Critique Report
Medications are the most commonly used treatment measure in the healthcare
that contributes to the significant improvement in healthcare setting when used
effectively (ACSQHC, 2013). However, the use of medication may also be linked with
certain harm and hence the nurses should adapt varied techniques to prevent
medication and non medication-related errors while caring patients in practice area
(emergencies, medical/surgical ward) (Douglas, 2017, Athanasakis, 2012). In this
report, two articles were systematically analyzed to evaluate the extent to which the
research methods applied are trustworthy, appropriate and relevant (Steen, 2011).
Article A
Blank, F. S. J., Tobin, J., Macomber, S., Jaouen, M., Dinoia, M., & Visintainer, P.
(2011). A “Back to Basics” Approach to Reduce ED Medication Errors. JEN: Journal of
Emergency Nursing, 37(2), 141-147. doi:10.1016/j.jen.2009.11.026
Article B
Westbrook, J. I., Ling, L., Hooper, T. D., Raban, M. Z., Middleton, S., & Lehnbom, E. C.
(2017). Effectiveness of a 'Do not interrupt' bundled intervention to reduce interruptions
during medication administration: a cluster randomised controlled feasibility study. BMJ
Quality & Safety, 26(9), 734-742. doi:10.1136/bmjqs***********3
In a critique, assessment of the study-title gives valuable information about the
study. Moreover, a title should be concise, clear and should portray the fundamental
nature of the study; which is evident in both articles (Polit, 2016). The abstract of both
articles gives valuable insight into the study’s complexity (Iverson, 2014). Literature
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Critique Report
review involves critical summary of the studies related to the topic of interest which is
prepared to contextualise the study problem as evidenced in both articles that focuses
on medication-related and non medication-related error studies.
In a research-study, identifying the study problem and formulating the study
steps as per hypothesis is critical (Fink 2013). It is evident that both articles have
appropriately identified their problem based on the PICO (Problem/population,
Intervention/experimentation, Comparison/control and Outcome) framework. Both
studies have provided an appropriate, accurate and understandable purpose to assess
the effectiveness of interventions in minimizing the medication and non-MAEs as
advised by Iverson (2014). Objectives are the specific accomplishments that are framed
to achieve what the researchers have decided to enquire (Polit, 2016). Both have
presented concise, adequate and achievable objectives. Hypothesis that is a
predicted/expected relationship between study-variables were not found in these
articles (Moule, 2013).
Research methodology is defined as the techniques that are utilized to structure
a study as well as to gather and analyze data in a systematic manner (Polit, 2016). It is
evident in both articles from their structural fashion by utilizing adequate research
methods along with sequential discussion in the study-text (Panneerselvam, 2014).
Research design is considered as the integral part of methodology as it is the overall
plan for research study that addresses the research question; including specifications
for improving the study’s integrity (LoBiondo-Wood, 2014).
In both articles, quantitative design is used that enables comparison of two
treatments (Yartsev, 2017). In Article-A, non-randomized design with one-group
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Critique Report
comparing pre- as well as post-outcome variables was used which is a quasi-
experimental design that is used to draw causal impact of intervention on target
population without randomization (THS, 2015). While, cluster randomized control-trails
(RCT) was adopted in Article-B which is a true experimental design with manipulation;
control and randomization. They have selected cluster design to reduce contamination
during the implementation of intervention and hence Article-B’s design is better than A
(LoBiondo-Wood, 2014).
Data collection is the process by which data is gathered to address the research
problem and the device used to collect data is called as instrument (LoBiondo-Wood
2014). In Article-A, the use of pre- and post-tests, survey (Likert scale) and identifying
the no. of MAEs through chart reviewing and safety reports (voluntary) is appropriate.
Similarly, in Article-B, the use of structured survey, Likert scales and structured direct-
observations is adequate.
Target population is defined as an entire group of population; the researcher is
interested to propose study as well as generalize the study-findings (THS, 2015). The
target population of the nurses working in the ED of a tertiary-care centre, U.S in Article-
A and nurses working in 4 medical & 4 surgical wards of Adelaide hospital, Australia in
Article-B is adequate.
Fink (2013) emphasises that samples are the part of the population that
represents the entire population. Selection of 95 nurses in pretest while 84 in both tests;
81 in pre-survey while 73 in post-survey; 299 pre-charts while 295 post-charts in Article-
A indicate possible 10% attrition. They used convenience sampling that involves
selecting the volunteering participants but it may cause self-selection bias. They have
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