Qualitative Research

Hospital-acquired infections are infections that a patient acquires while being admitted to a hospital for a reason other than that infection. These infections commonly have viral, bacterial, or fungal causation, with the most common hospital-acquired infections being bloodstream infections, urinary tract infections, pneumonia, and surgical site infections (Barrasa-Villar et al., 2017). This paper aims to look at a qualitative research study named “Beyond the hospital infection control guidelines: a qualitative study using positive deviance to characterize gray areas and to achieve efficacy and clarity in the prevention of healthcare-associated infections.” and expounds further on it.

Qualitative Research Design

The qualitative research design employed in this study was the qualitative constructivist research methodology. This method involved various data-collecting methods, including personal interviews, observations, and video recordings of specific hospital procedures to improve infection control (Gesser-Edelsburg et al., 2018). Eight two personalTwoterviews were conducted with hospital staff. The study was done in two intensive care units at Hadassah Hospital in Hospital in March 2018.

Credibility of Results

Participants for this study were chosen based on a sampling and participant recruitment method. Intensive and heterogeneous sampling was employed in the first stage of patient identification, with snowball sampling being employed in the second sampling stage. Accuracy and completeness of data were achieved through the triangulation of the data obtained from various sources to enhance the validity of the results (Gesser-Edelsburg et al., 2018). Validity was further enhanced by obtaining confirmation from the infection control unit concerning the various positive deviance practices. The study was also conducted on various day shifts for periods of tperiodsures were observed and documented, further improving the credibility. The results are believable based on the protocols followed during data collection and ensuring the data is valid (Melnyk & Fineout-Overholt, 2019).

Implications of the Results

New insights developed by Fruity may significantly increase the sensitivity to other people’s needs. The study recommended encouraging hospital staff to come up with solutions to the various situations that they encountered during their delivery of care. The solutions would then be shared within the unit, facilitating changes from the most junior staff to the senior-most. Understanding this would significantly increase situational competence as staff would use the solutions they have formulated within their unit rather than depending on new or specific documented guidelines to deal with the situations they encounter (Gesser-Edelsburget et al., 2018).

Effect on the Reader

The results obtained from this study are plausible and believable. The results obtained indicate that set guidelines for reducing hospital-acquired infections cannot always cover the various scenarios that arise during the delivery of care. These guidelines have, in some circumstances, led to an increase in the spread of these infections. The study revealed that many came up with solutions to address contentious situations. The study dramatically draws my attention as the reader from the start until the end.

Results

Results indicated the need for staff to develop guidelines and solutions for some gray regions during care delivery (Gesser-Edelsburg et al., 2018). This need arose because the set guidelines did not always address all arising issues and sometimes contributed to increased hospital-acquired infections. The research approach fantastically fits the purpose of this study as it involved observing staff members and procedures done in intensive care units for extended periods to document the issue of hospital-acquired infections.

Study Approach

The study approach in the study is studyntifiable as the pragmatic study approach. The study’s objectivity dramatically enables the researcher to identify the study approach. The data collection and analysis techniques are conducted appropriately. Data collection involves several interviews, observations, and video footage, significantly increasing the validity of the results obtained.

Need for the Study

The great need for this study is noted in the literature. The literature highlights the various attempts to formulate and implement various guidelines that are aimed at curbing infections during the delivery of care. These guidelines often lead to situations where staff do not know what to do as specific scenarios are not addressed within the guidelines, resulting in confusion and uncertainty. This necessitated the need for this study. The study aims to characterize the unaddressed areas, referred to as gray areas in this study, and identify practices done by individuals who come up with creative solutions based on the challenges they face to reduce hospital-acquired infections (Gesser-Edelsburg et al., 2018).

Is the Sampling Clear and Guided by Study Needs?

The sampling done is clear and well-guided by study needs. The researcher chose to focus on intensive care units where staff is exposed to various stressful situations, including work stress and the death of patients. These situations greatly hinder the observance of the guidelines recommended for hospital-acquired infections. Therefore, there is a great need to develop viable solutions and share them in these units. The sample size and composition greatly reflect the study’s needs. The study involved interviewing more than 90% of staff working in the MICU and GICU, occasionally encountering these stressful situations (Gesser-Edelsburg et al., 2018). The phenomenon, which is human experience, is not well identified.

Data collection procedures

The data collection procedures are clear and well laid out. The staff received a clear explanation of the study and what it hoped to achieve. This was followed by the signing of an informed consent form before interviews were conducted and video footage was collected. The researcher’s role was collecting data through observations, interviews, and video footage while maintaining objectivity and neutrality, ensuring that focus was maintained on highlighting the positive practices (Gesser-Edelsburg et al., 2018).

Data analysis procedures

Data gathered through the various collection methods was analyzed, and the main challenges and positive deviance practices were noted through content analysis. Further analysis through content analysis was done to identify sub-themes obtained from the areas that confused and to classify further areas of positive deviance that stood out. The results obtained from this study were broken down into various key areas, including the classification of positive deviance practice, gray areas during care delivery, and lack of uniformity in infection control procedures, among others (Gesser-Edelsburg et al., 2018).

Presentation of Specific Findings

The data meanings derived from the data described are in context. The data from the study is well broken down into various headings and sub-headings. The research addresses the issue brought up at the beginning in a manner that is clear and concise. This form of writing makes the study relatively easy to understand.

Relevance of the Study

The results obtained from this study are beneficial and relevant for both staff and patients. The main aim is to reduce the rate of hospital-acquired infection. The study indicated that set guidelines for infection prevention are not always followed, especially in high-pressure situations. It also indicated the existence of several scenarios not addressed by set guidelines. These necessitated the need for hospital staff to apply positive deviance and develop well-suited guidelines within their various units (Gesser-Edelsburg et al., 2018). The application of those guidelines will result in reducing the rate of hospital-acquired infections (Houghton et al., 2020).

Conclusion

The increased rate of hospital-acquired infections facilitated the need for this study. This study indicated some gray regions that confuse implementing set guidelines to reduce hospital-acquired information. It further highlighted the role of positive deviance by hospital staff in an attempt to curb the increasing rate of hospital-acquired infections.

References

Barrasa-Villar, J. I., Aibar-Remón, C., Prieto-Andrés, P., Mareca-Doñate, R., & Moliner-Lahoz, J. (2017). Impact on Morbidity, Mortality, and Length of Stay of Hospital-Acquired Infections by Resistant Microorganisms. Clinical infectious diseases: an official publication of the Infectious Diseases Society of America, 65(4), 644–652. https://doi.org/10.1093/cid/cix411

Gesser-Edelsburg, A., Cohen, R., Halavi, A. M., Zemach, M., van Heerden, P. V., Sviri, S., Benenson, S., Trahtemberg, U., Orenbuch-Harroch, E., Lowenstein, L., Shteinberg, D., Salmon, A., & Moses, A. (2018). Beyond the hospital infection control guidelines: a qualitative study using positive deviance to characterize gray areas and to achieve efficacy and clarity in the prevention of healthcare-associated infections. Antimicrobial resistance and infection control, 7, 124. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13756-018-0418-x

Houghton, C., Meskell, P., Delaney, H., Smalle, M., Glenton, C., Booth, A., Chan, X. H., Devane, D., & Biesty, L. M. (2020). Barriers and facilitators to healthcare workers’ adherence with Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) guidelines for respiratory infectious diseases: A rapid qualitative evidence synthesis. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 2020(8). https://doi.org/10.1002/14651858.cd013582

Melnyk, B. M., & Fineout-Overholt, E. (2019). Chapter 5. In Evidence-based practice in Practice& Healthcare: a guide to best practice. essay, Wolters Kluwer.

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Write a fully developed and detailed APA essay addressing the following points/questions. There is no required word count; be sure to answer all the questions for each question in detail completely. Separate each section in your paper with a clear heading that allows your professor to know which bullet you are addressing in that section of your paper. Support your ideas with at least one (1) source using citations in your essay. Make sure to cite using the APA writing style for the essay. The cover page and reference page are required. Review the rubric criteria for this assignment.

Qualitative Research

Conduct a literature search to select a qualitative research study on the topic identified in Module 1. Conduct an initial critical appraisal of the study.

Respond to the overview questions for the critical appraisal of qualitative studies, including:

What type of qualitative research design was utilized to conduct the study?
Are the results valid/trustworthy and credible?
How were the participants chosen?
How were the accuracy and completeness of data assured?
How plausible/believable are the results?
Are implications of the research stated?
May new insights increase sensitivity to others’ needs?
May understandings enhance situational competence?
What is the effect on the reader?
Are the results plausible and believable?
Is the reader imaginatively drawn to the experience?
What are the results of the study?
Does the research approach fit the purpose of the study?
How does the researcher identify the study approach?
Are the data collection and analysis techniques appropriate?
Is the significance/importance of the study explicit?
Does the literature support a need for the study?
What is the study’s potential contribution?
Is the sampling precise and guided by study needs?
Does the researcher control the selection of the sample?
Do sample size and composition reflect the study needs?
Is the phenomenon (human experience) identified?
Are data collection procedures clear?
Are sources and means of verifying data explicit?
Are researcher roles and activities explained?
Are data analysis procedures described?
Does analysis guide directions of sampling when it ends?
Are data management processes described?
What are the reported results (descriptive or interpretation)?
How are specific findings presented?
Are the data meanings derived from data described in context?
Does the writing effectively promote understanding?
Will the results help me care for my patients?
Are the results relevant to persons in similar situations?
Are the results relevant to patient values and circumstances?
How may the results be applied to clinical practice?
Please answer the questions thoroughly using complete sentences and APA format. Explain responses to yes/no questions in detail by presenting information found in the study to support your response.