A Study on Nurses' Perception of Staffing Ratio and Medication Error

1
RESEARCH PROPOSAL
Research Proposal
Name of the Student
Name of the University
Author Note

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RESEARCH PROPOSAL
Table of Contents
Introduction................................................................................................................................4
Background of the problem....................................................................................................4
Clear statement of research questions....................................................................................4
Significance of the research proposal....................................................................................5
Theoretical framework underpinning the study.....................................................................5
Literature review........................................................................................................................5
Research gap..........................................................................................................................9
Methodology..............................................................................................................................9
Research design......................................................................................................................9
Research philosophy..............................................................................................................9
Research approach...............................................................................................................10
Research strategy and time horizon.....................................................................................10
Research methods.................................................................................................................11
Target population and sample size.......................................................................................11
Sampling..............................................................................................................................11
Questionnaire Development Process....................................................................................12
Data collection and analysis.................................................................................................12
Ethical considerations..............................................................................................................12
Confidentiality and data security.........................................................................................12
Inclusion of informed consent..............................................................................................13

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RESEARCH PROPOSAL
Indication of safety issues....................................................................................................13
Indication or risks to subjects/researchers............................................................................13
Conclusion................................................................................................................................14
Summary..............................................................................................................................14
Study limitations..................................................................................................................14
Study implications................................................................................................................14
References................................................................................................................................15

4
RESEARCH PROPOSAL
Topic: A study to assess the perception of the nurses regarding impact of staffing ratio on
medication error
Introduction
Background of the problem
Medication safety in different areas of the patients’ journey via acute care settings in
the Australian healthcare is a significant healthcare problem. It is estimated that there is
approximately 230, 000 medication-associated hospital admissions occurring per year. This
medication-related hospital admission is increasing the overall healthcare cost in Australia by
AU$1.2 billion (Roughead, Semple& Rosenfeld, 2016). The medication error also increases
adverse drug reactions and at the same the increases the overall duration of stay at the
hospital and thereby decreasing the quality of care and endangering patients’ safety
(Roughead, Semple& Rosenfeld, 2016). Nurses are found as main defaulter behind
medication error. Increased work pressure and extended duty hours are two most cited as
reasons behind medication errors. Thus, proper organization support and co-ordination
between the nursing professionals might help to reduce the work-related stress among the
nurses and promoting professional quality improvement (Sahay, Hutchinson & East, 2015).
Clear statement of research questions
Thus the aim of the research will be to access the perception of the nurses regarding
staffing and its effect on the medication error.
Population (P) Nursing Professionals
Interventions (I) Increased strength of the nursing professionals
Comparison (C) Poor strength of the nursing professionals
Outcomes (O) Improve patients’ safety (decreased medication error)