Critical Appraisal Worksheet: Module 4 Evidence-Based Project Analysis

This document presents a completed critical appraisal worksheet for an evidence-based project, evaluating four research articles related to infection prevention and control. The worksheet analyzes each article's evidence level, conceptual framework, design, methodology, sample characteristics, variables, and statistical findings. The appraisal also examines the strengths, limitations, and recommendations of each study, assessing their worth to clinical practice and the associated risks of implementation. Additionally, the document provides a matrix worksheet summarizing the articles, detailing the rationale for selection, PICO(T) question, databases searched, and articles obtained, including their relevance to hand hygiene and the prevention of nosocomial infections. The assignment underscores the importance of evidence-based practice in nursing and healthcare, focusing on the implementation of effective strategies to minimize healthcare-associated infections.

CRITICAL APPRISAL WORKSHEET
Evaluation Table
Use this document to complete the evaluation table requirement of the Module 4 Assessment, Evidence-Based Project, Part 4A: Critical
Appraisal of Research
Full APA formatted citation of
selected article.
Article #1 Article #2 Article #3 Article #4
Burnett, E. (2018).
Effective infection
prevention and control:
the nurse’s role. Nursing
Standard
(2014+), 33(4), 68.
Facchiano, L., & Snyder,
C. H. (2012). Evidence‐
based practice for the busy
nurse practitioner: Part
one: Relevance to clinical
practice and clinical
inquiry process. Journal
White, S., & Spruce, L.
(2015). Perioperative
nursing leaders
implement clinical
practice guidelines
using the Iowa Model
of Evidence-Based
Zitella, L., Friese, C.
R., Gobel, B. H.,
Woolery-Antill, M.,
O'Leary, C., &
Hauser, J. (2006).
Putting evidence into
practice (PEP):
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of the American Academy
of Nurse
Practitioners, 24(10),
579-586.
Practice. AORN
journal, 102(1), 50-
59.
Prevention of
infection
Evidence Level *
(I, II, or III)
The article falls on level
III
It has not discussed a lot
on the subject matter.
The article falls in level
III.
It has exhausted on EBP.
Level III Level III
Conceptual Framework
Describe the theoretical basis for
the study (If there is not one
mentioned in the article, say
that here). **
According to the author
healthcare associated
diseases and
antimicrobial resistance
is threatening life of
patients in the world.
The research wants us to
According to the abstract
EBP has gained a lot of
momentum in healthcare
field. The point is that
EBP is emphasizing its
principles and policies to
the nurses. Besides, it is
also helping nurses build
This article recognizes
that there are theoretical
models that can be used
not only guide clinical
decision making but also
evidence based practice.
In doing so it identifies
the Iowa model as an
Prevention of
infection in patients
with cancer is a
significant cause of
morbidity and
mortality. This article
theorizes that nurses
play a very crucial
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know various elements
related to these aspects
as human beings.
Therefore, the article
completely analyses
importance of the role
played by the nurses in
controlling the illnesses.
EBP related skills and
concepts.
appropriate intervention
in improving patients
outcomes.
role in preventing
infections among
patients. However,
despite this fact, most
common nursing
interventions have
not been subjected to
thorough or any
scientific
examination at all.
Design/Method
Describe the design and how the
study was carried out (In detail,
including inclusion/exclusion
criteria).
The abstract indicates
that the author used a
qualitative research
method.
Based on the content, the
author used a qualitative
research method.
The author has used
secondary data to come up
with adequate information
Methodology used in
research is quality based
and it involved the use
of questionnaire.
The study is on the use
of Iowa model of
Various methods
were used in the
study including
research articles and
systematic reviews.
Websites such as the
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related to subject matter.
Use of literature review as
well as the online sources
have played a critical role.
evidence-based practice
to improve patients
outcome
National
Comprehensive
Cancer Network
(NCCN), Center for
Disease Control and
Prevention that
provided guideline
for infection control
were searched.
In this particular
study, all documents
that were devoted to
pediatric or bone
marrow transplant
populations were
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excluded.
Moreover, a search of
mucositis and
candidiasis was
conducted because of
a strong connection
between mucositis
and infection.
Besides, a health
service librarian was
as well consulted.
Sample/Setting
The number and characteristics of
The article outlined
features related to the
healthcare associated
Indicated features of EBP.
Addresses the work that
should be done by the NPs
No specific number as
well as patient
characteristics because
it’s a review of existing
No specific
characteristics of
patients or attrition
rate because the study
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patients, attrition rate, etc. infections.
It outlined traits related
to the antimicrobial
resistance diseases.
Has analyzed how those
patients with other
diseases such as diabetes
are prone to healthcare
associated disorders.
all the time.
Selected secondary data
that had information on
the EBP.
literature is an evidence-based
review of nursing
interventions that
prevent infections
among patients with
cancer.
Major Variables Studied
List and define dependent and
independent variables
Dependent variables
Healthcare associated
infections- will change
with efforts coming
from nurses.
Dependent variables
EBP concepts -changes
with use NPs efforts.
Variables in this study
comprise of hurdles that
exists in the nursing
practice and how they
affect nurse practice.
The paper is an
evidence based
review of nursing
interventions to
prevent infection in
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Antimicrobial
resistance- reduces as
the nurses provides
appropriate response.
Independent variables
Nurses efforts
Independent variables
NPs efforts
Among the hurdles is
surgical infections.
The article identifies the
Iowa model as an
intervention that can
used in addressing
surgical infections and
thereby improving
patient outcomes.
patients with cancer.
Infections among
patients with cancer
is a considered a
significant cause of
morbidity as well as
mortality. Since
nurses play a very
crucial role in
preventing infection
during the time
patients are in the
hospitals the variable
studied in this article
is include infection
rates and causes
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during cancer
hospitalization. The
dependent variable is
cancer infections
which is dependent
on the nature of care
provided during
hospitalization
Measurement
Identify primary statistics used to
answer clinical questions (You
need to list the actual tests
done).
Healthcare associated
infection records.
Data from the patients
with antimicrobial
resistance.
EBP sources and data.
Literature review analysis.
Gray literature analysis.
Online databases with
EBP values.
No primary statistics
used because it is a
review of Iowa model as
a research based
intervention for
addressing the issue of
increased surgical
infections.
No statistics used,
just a review of
evidence-based
interventions.
Reviewers used
standardized
worksheets to
facilitate synthesis of
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available
Data Analysis Statistical or
Qualitative findings
(You need to enter the actual
numbers determined by the
statistical tests or qualitative
data).
65-70% of the patients
have central-line
associated infections.
50% of the patients with
ventilator associated
pneumonia and surgical
infections can be
prevented easily.
5-7 sources used have
analyzed how EBP
provides support to the
nurses.
4 sources in the article
provides challenges faced
by the nurses in hospitals.
The Iowa model has
demonstrated up to 89%
efficiency in addressing
surgical site infections.
Overall mortality rate
of from bacterial
infections have
decreased from 21%-
7%since mid-1970s.
Findings and Recommendations
General findings and
recommendations of the research
The Article found that
more than 20% of world
deaths are caused by the
healthcare-associated
infections.
Besides, 10% of the
patients in hospitals
The article found that EBP
helps nurses all the time.
Besides, it found that the
EBP not fully implement
in the clinical practices.
-Evidence-based
practice not only helps
on improving quality of
patient care but also
controls healthcare
costs. This has been
demonstrated by the
Interventions that
demonstrated strong
evidence from meta-
analysis and
systematic reviews
comprise of influenza
vaccinations, hand
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have antimicrobial
resistance illnesses.
Recommendations
Nurses have to work
hard to combat these
healthcare -associated
infections.
Nurses have to come up
with appropriate
solution on how to deal
with challenges incurred
when treating patients
with these disorders.
Recommendations.
There is need to
implement on appropriate
procedures that will
support EBP in healthcare.
NPs have to be update on
the EBP concepts.
effectiveness on the
Iowa model in
addressing patient
outcomes.
-Nursing leaders should
adopt the Iowa model
and other evidence
based nursing
interventions to improve
nursing outcomes
washing.
environmental
interventions such as
keeping windows
closed, protective
gowns and Scanning
visitors for possible
infections before
allowing them time
with patients
Appraisal and Study Quality The article has used
detailed work to support
The article provides an
overview of how the EBP
-The research is
significant because it
-This study is
significant because it
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Describe the general worth of this
research to practice.
What are the strengths and
limitations of study?
What are the risks associated with
implementation of the suggested
practices or processes detailed in
the research?
What is the feasibility of use in
your practice?
its claims. It has
included information on
how some groups are
vulnerable to some
disorders in society.
The strengths are that
the content is well-
organized. Besides, the
findings are
systematically arranged
with an explanation.
On the other hand, the
article has not indicated
how the nurses have
been researching to
plays a key role. Large
number of healthcare
centers are yet to
recognize role of EBP
despite its importance.
The strength of the article
it is that it has used a
systematic procedure to
collect data related to
EBP. Besides, each
section in the article
supports key elements
thus helping the reader to
capture a lot of
information related to
demonstrates the use the
Iowa model as evidence
based nursing
intervention.
-The author has strongly
demonstrated the use as
well as significance of
the clinical practice
model. Readers are in a
position to understand
the implementation of
the medial query for any
other relevant issue.
-There is a systematic
flow of ideas and
thoughts in the paper
provides knowledge
on how to improve
health outcomes for
patients. Evidence-
based nursing
practice helps nurses
determine
interventions that are
essential in
improving patient’s
outcomes and in that
way abandon
ineffective
interventions. This
article provides an
analysis intervention
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reduce the impact of
healthcare associated
infections and
antimicrobial viruses.
No clear explanation on
how healthcare is
researching to come up
with remedies for
viruses that may be
experienced for example
the COVID-19 which
has no cure up to now.
Therefore, the article is
categorical on how we
and nurses have to
subject matter. The
limitation is that the
article is only limited to
the EBP. Besides, it is
also limited to secondary
data only.
The risk is that
implementation of EBP
will not work where
nurses are not willing to
use it. Nurses have to
accept the change and
then consider the role of
EBP first.
each demonstrating a
deep understanding of
the matter in
consideration.
that can be used to
prevent patient
infections.
-The strengths of this
article is that it
provides a means for
nurses to not only
articulate but also
objectively
demonstrate their
contribution to
patient care. It has
provided a clear and
concise analysis of
the explored topic
and has successfully
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