NUR 550 Benchmark – Evidence-Based Practice Project: Literature Review

Grand Canyon University NUR 550 Benchmark – Evidence-Based Practice Project: Literature Review – Step-By-Step Guide

This guide will demonstrate how to complete the Grand Canyon University NUR 550 Benchmark – Evidence-Based Practice Project: Literature Review assignment based on general principles of academic writing. Here, we will show you the A, B, Cs of completing an academic paper, irrespective of the instructions. After guiding you through what to do, the guide will leave one or two sample essays at the end to highlight the various sections discussed below.

How to Research and Prepare for NUR 550 Benchmark – Evidence-Based Practice Project: Literature Review      

Whether one passes or fails an academic assignment such as the Grand Canyon University NUR 550 Benchmark – Evidence-Based Practice Project: Literature Review depends on the preparation done beforehand. The first thing to do once you receive an assignment is to quickly skim through the requirements. Once that is done, start going through the instructions one by one to clearly understand what the instructor wants. The most important thing here is to understand the required format—whether it is APA, MLA, Chicago, etc.

After understanding the requirements of the paper, the next phase is to gather relevant materials. The first place to start the research process is the weekly resources. Go through the resources provided in the instructions to determine which ones fit the assignment. After reviewing the provided resources, use the university library to search for additional resources. After gathering sufficient and necessary resources, you are now ready to start drafting your paper.

How to Write the Introduction for NUR 550 Benchmark – Evidence-Based Practice Project: Literature Review      

The introduction for the Grand Canyon University NUR 550 Benchmark – Evidence-Based Practice Project: Literature Review is where you tell the instructor what your paper will encompass. In three to four statements, highlight the important points that will form the basis of your paper. Here, you can include statistics to show the importance of the topic you will be discussing. At the end of the introduction, write a clear purpose statement outlining what exactly will be contained in the paper. This statement will start with “The purpose of this paper…” and then proceed to outline the various sections of the instructions.

How to Write the Body for NUR 550 Benchmark – Evidence-Based Practice Project: Literature Review      

After the introduction, move into the main part of the NUR 550 Benchmark – Evidence-Based Practice Project: Literature Review assignment, which is the body. Given that the paper you will be writing is not experimental, the way you organize the headings and subheadings of your paper is critically important. In some cases, you might have to use more subheadings to properly organize the assignment. The organization will depend on the rubric provided. Carefully examine the rubric, as it will contain all the detailed requirements of the assignment. Sometimes, the rubric will have information that the normal instructions lack.

Another important factor to consider at this point is how to do citations. In-text citations are fundamental as they support the arguments and points you make in the paper. At this point, the resources gathered at the beginning will come in handy. Integrating the ideas of the authors with your own will ensure that you produce a comprehensive paper. Also, follow the given citation format. In most cases, APA 7 is the preferred format for nursing assignments.

How to Write the Conclusion for NUR 550 Benchmark – Evidence-Based Practice Project: Literature Review      

After completing the main sections, write the conclusion of your paper. The conclusion is a summary of the main points you made in your paper. However, you need to rewrite the points and not simply copy and paste them. By restating the points from each subheading, you will provide a nuanced overview of the assignment to the reader.

How to Format the References List for NUR 550 Benchmark – Evidence-Based Practice Project: Literature Review      

The very last part of your paper involves listing the sources used in your paper. These sources should be listed in alphabetical order and double-spaced. Additionally, use a hanging indent for each source that appears in this list. Lastly, only the sources cited within the body of the paper should appear here.

Stuck? Let Us Help You

Completing assignments can sometimes be overwhelming, especially with the multitude of academic and personal responsibilities you may have. If you find yourself stuck or unsure at any point in the process, don’t hesitate to reach out for professional assistance. Our assignment writing services are designed to help you achieve your academic goals with ease. 

Our team of experienced writers is well-versed in academic writing and familiar with the specific requirements of the NUR 550 Benchmark – Evidence-Based Practice Project: Literature Review assignment. We can provide you with personalized support, ensuring your assignment is well-researched, properly formatted, and thoroughly edited. Get a feel of the quality we guarantee – ORDER NOW. 

Sample Answer for NUR 550 Benchmark – Evidence-Based Practice Project: Literature Review

Practice problems are widespread in healthcare and are linked to adverse outcomes, including workplace incivility, high healthcare costs, and job dissatisfaction. The high prevalence of type 2 diabetes among older adults is a significant nursing problem that deserves much attention from care providers, policymakers, and leaders. Nursing research shows that type 2 diabetes is associated with increased patient visits, increased healthcare costs, and high vulnerability to cardiovascular disease (Cigolle et al., 2022; Evans et al., 2022). These outcomes underline the need for effective interventions at healthcare facilities and communities. Besides, type 2 diabetes inhibits functional performance and independence among older adults (Ahmad et al., 2022). Due to their central role in primary care and change implementation, nurses should explore interventions tailored to improve older adults’ functional capacity and independence. Such interventions are the foundation of healthy living among this unique group, which reduces clinical visits and healthcare costs. The purpose of this paper is to review current, peer-reviewed literature on articles supporting the PICOT.

PICOT statement:  In older adults with type 2 diabetes (P), does a twice-weekly tailored physical exercise training program (I), compared to no exercise interventions (C), improve functional fitness and independent living (O) in 8 weeks (T)?

Search Methods

Many research articles evaluating the link between physical exercises and functional ability among older adults are available online. However, many do not fit the criteria for translational research. As a result, specific keywords were used to retrieve appropriate articles from the leading databases such as CINAHL Plus, PubMed, Embase, Medline, and the Cochrane Library. Google Scholar was also used due to the ease of access to articles and other appropriate research materials. The keywords and phrases include “older adults with type 2 adults and physical exercises,” “effects of physical exercises among older adults with type 2 diabetes,” “physical exercises and functional ability among older adults with type 2 diabetes,” and “physical exercises and health among older adults.” In the search process, Boolean Operators (and, or, no) help to filter and improve results (Gray et al., 2020). From the above phrases, the operator “and” was used to refine the search process to get better results.

Synthesis of Literature

The articles explore the value of physical exercises among older adults in various dimensions and provide detailed information to support the PICOT. In the first article, Zarco et al. (2021) engaged nine older adults at Adelphi University in a guided exercise program (Essentrics). The primary objective was to examine the perceived benefits of the program as far as physical health is concerned. Typically, Essentrics involve eccentric training and stretching (Esmonde-White, 2023; Zarco et al., 2021). To determine the link between variables, older adults participated in a one-hour Essentrics program twice weekly for a year. Zarco et al. (2021) then conducted focus group discussions with open-ended and close-ended questions on motivation for trying and proceeding with the program and its benefits. Data transcription and thematic analysis revealed that older adults perceived the Essentrics program positively since it improved their functional mobility, balance, energy, and flexibility. These findings support the PICOT by demonstrating the value of physical exercises in improving functional fitness and independence among older adults.

In a different study, Kirwan et al. (2021) evaluated the effectiveness of the Beat It program on anthropometric measures, physical fitness, and psychological outcomes among older adults with type 2 diabetes. Pivotal in improving diabetes management, the Beat It is a clinician-led, twice-weekly supervised group exercise and education program (Kirwan et al., 2021; Kirwan et al., 2022). Participants were 588 older adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) from separate locations in New South Wales and the Australian Capital territory. After guiding older adults in the twice-weekly group exercises for eight weeks, Kirwan et al. (2021) collected data on anthropometric measures and physical fitness levels and compared it with baseline data. Height and weight measures were used to calculate body mass index (BMI), while the program’s effectiveness was assessed via paired T-tests. Researchers found a significant improvement in weight, physical fitness, and waist circumference post-program. Based on these findings, physical exercises are a foundation of improved functional fitness and healthy independent living, as the PICOT hypothesizes.

Harrison et al. (2020) focused on the motivators, barriers, and benefits associated with active engagement in physical activity and exercises among urban-community-residing older adults. In this qualitative study, 58 older adults enrolled in Senior Companion and Respite Aid programs in Washington and participating in various physical activities at the community level were enrolled. Researchers collected data on critical variables such as physical activity and exercise levels, food intake, and demographics through focus group discussions. Participants answered a short survey of about 5-8 questions assessing the health benefits of physical exercises among the participants. The thematic analysis demonstrated physical activities as a healthy living approach that prolonged life, increased physical energy, and strengthened the body. Strong bodies and high physical energy are essentials of body fitness and instrumental to independent living among older adults. As a result, the article supports the PICOT by demonstrating the value of physical exercises in improving functional fitness and independence among older adults with type 2 diabetes by increasing physical energy and body strength.

In the fourth article, Syue et al. (2022) studied how physical activity, functional fitness, and life satisfaction are related among community-dwelling older adults. Guided by the hypothesis that higher physical fitness leads to better functional fitness and life satisfaction, researchers conducted a cross-sectional study among 623 older adults in functional fitness and health screen stations in Chi-Yi City. Participants engaged in physical activity exercises of varying intensities, primarily dancing and strenuous household chores, and data was collected via the International Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) form in 2016 and 2017. Multiple tests, such as the curl, chair, and stand tests, were used to assess functional fitness. Data post-study revealed that physical activity increases functional fitness and life satisfaction among older adults. Accordingly, the findings support the PICOT by positively linking physical exercises with better functional fitness, which is the proposed project’s primary objective.

ALSO READ:

NUR 550 Benchmark – Diverse Population Health Policy Analysis

NUR 550 Summary of Current Course Content Knowledge

Evidence-Based Practice Project Proposal: Identification of Nursing Practice Problem NUR 550

NUR 550 Translational Research and Population Health Management

Comparison of Articles

The four articles’ main similarity is that they evaluate how physical exercises improve functional fitness and independent living among older adults. Their findings are also positive, underlining the significance of physical exercise programs in healthcare facilities and at home for healthy, independent living among older adults with type 2 diabetes. Concerning differences, Kirwan et al. (2021) and Syue et al. (2022) are quantitative, while Harrison et al. (2020) and Zarco et al. (2021) are qualitative articles. The settings where the studies took place, and the intensity and length of physical exercise sessions also differ. Overall, the central theme is the value of physical exercises in improving functional fitness and how older adults perceive them positively. Guided participation is highly recommended for improved outcomes.

In the qualitative articles (Harrison et al., 2020; Zarco et al., 2021), researchers conducted focus group discussions and analyzed data thematically. Kirwan et al. (2021) analyzed the outcomes of the Beat It program, while Syue et al. (2022) conducted a cross-sectional study. Regarding the conclusions, the researchers conclude that interventions focused on promoting and improving physical exercises are essential to increase older adults’ potential for better health and well-being. Governments and care providers should prioritize policies to encourage and sustain such exercises. Limitations include limited generalizability due to a small sample size (Zarco et al., 2021), a lack of a comparison group (Kirwan et al., 2021), a short survey period (Harrison et al., 2020), and the inability of a cross-sectional study to demonstrate the cause-effect relationship between variables (Syue et al., 2022). No controversies have been identified since all researchers found a positive link between physical exercises and better functional ability.

Suggestions for Future Research

Translational researchers find different gaps that should guide future research. For instance, Kirwan et al. (2021) suggested longer-term follow-up studies to establish whether the positive changes from the Beat It program can be maintained beyond the program’s delivery period. Based on the overall findings, another area of future research is the potential risks of physical exercises, considering the frailty of older adults with type 2 diabetes. In this case, their implementers should be guided effectively to ensure that the intensity does not exceed the healthy limit. Another important focus area is whether significant differences exist between rural and urban community-dwelling adults based on their lifestyles and health perceptions.

Conclusion

Nursing literature on interventions to improve health among older adults is extensive. As the reviewed literature demonstrates, moderate physical exercises effectively improve functional fitness and independence among older adults with type 2 diabetes. To achieve the desired results, older adults should be guided and monitored appropriately. Nursing professionals should also ensure barriers and motivators are adequately evaluated to encourage participation in physical exercises and maximize their benefits.

References

Ahmad, E., Sargeant, J. A., Yates, T., Webb, D. R., & Davies, M. J. (2022). Type 2 diabetes and impaired physical function: a growing problem. Diabetology, 3(1), 30-45. https://doi.org/10.3390/diabetology3010003

Cigolle, C. T., Blaum, C. S., Lyu, C., Ha, J., Kabeto, M., & Zhong, J. (2022). Associations of age at diagnosis and duration of diabetes with morbidity and mortality among older adults. JAMA Network Open, 5(9), e2232766-e2232766. doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2022.32766

Esmonde-White, M. (2023). The miracle of flexibility: a head-to-toe program to increase strength, improve mobility, and become pain free. Simon and Schuster.

Evans, M., Chandramouli, A. S., Faurby, M., Matthiessen, K. S., Mogensen, P. B., & Verma, S. (2022). Healthcare costs and hospitalizations in US patients with type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease: a retrospective database study (OFFSET). Diabetes, Obesity & Metabolism, 24(7), 1300–1309. https://doi.org/10.1111/dom.14703

Gray, J. R., Grove, S. K., & Sutherland, S. (2020). Burns and Grove’s the practice of nursing research-E-book: Appraisal, synthesis, and generation of evidence. Elsevier Health Sciences.

Harrison, E. A., Lord, L. M., Asongwed, E., Jackson, P., Johnson-Largent, T., Jean Baptiste, A. M., … & Jeffery, T. (2020). Perceptions, opinions, beliefs, and attitudes about physical activity and exercise in urban-community-residing older adults. Journal of Primary Care & Community Health, 11, 2150132720924137. https://doi.org/10.1177/2150132720924137

Kirwan, M., Chiu, C. L., Hay, M., & Laing, T. (2021). Community-based exercise and lifestyle program improves health outcomes in older adults with type 2 diabetes. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 18(11), 6147. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18116147

Kirwan, M., Chiu, C. L., Laing, T., Chowdhury, N., & Gwynne, K. (2022). A web-delivered, clinician-led group exercise intervention for older adults with type 2 diabetes: Single-arm pre-post intervention. Journal of Medical Internet Research, 24(9), e39800. https://doi.org/10.2196/39800

Syue, S. H., Yang, H. F., Wang, C. W., Hung, S. Y., Lee, P. H., & Fan, S. Y. (2022). The associations between physical activity, functional fitness, and life satisfaction among community-dwelling older adults. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 19(13), 8043. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19138043

Zarco, E. P. T., Aquino, M., Petrizzo, J., Wygand, J., & McGorry, A. (2021). Perceived benefits of a guided exercise program among older adults. Gerontology and Geriatric Medicine, 7, 23337214211060147. https://doi.org/10.1177/23337214211060147

Sample Answer 2 for NUR 550 Benchmark – Evidence-Based Practice Project: Literature Review

Post-operative patients have increased exposure to adverse outcomes that include infections on surgical sites and complications associated with the surgical procedures. Nurses caring for these patients should implement evidence-based strategies to improve safety, quality, and efficient care delivery. However, surgical site infections pose significant challenges to nurses imploring them to implement bundled care approaches or interventions to reduce and prevent their occurrence. Existing evidence from the review of the literature shows that using bundled interventions for post-operative patients reduces and prevents surgical site infections that result in adverse outcomes like prolonged hospitalizations and readmissions, high cost of care, and complications that can be fatal leading to death (Bardia et al., 2021). The PICOT statement advances that using bundled interventions reduces surgical site infections (SSIs) by at least 50% compared to the usual surgical site care practices. The purpose of this paper is to review the literature concerning the use of bundled care interventions to reduce surgical site infections in the facility.

PICOT Question

Among hospitalized surgical patients (P), does the implementation of bundle interventions (I) compared to usual surgical care practices (C) reduce surgical site infections (SSI) by at least 50% (O) within eight months (T)?

Search Methods

The literature search focused on getting peer-reviewed articles related to the PICOT question and statement. The literature search entailed getting original research articles and not systematic reviews and meta-analyses from databases that include PubMed, Cochrane, and Medline. The keywords in the PICOT question were critical in improving the search and limiting articles to those about surgical site infections. The keywords included surgical site infections, bundled interventions, post-operative patients and surgical site infections, the prevalence of surgical site infections, and evidence-based practices to reduce and prevent surgical site infections. The search also entailed using filters like Boolean operators and narrowing down to articles published within the last five years and in English. These articles ensured currency of the evidence on the use of bundled interventions to reduce surgical site infections.

Synthesis of the Literature

The selected articles focus on different approaches and interventions bundled together to reduce the prevalence of surgical site infections (SSIs) among different patients and various care settings. In their study, Bagga et al. (2020) analyzed over 9600 patients to determine the impact of preventive care bundles on surgical site infections. Using a retrospective cohort study design, the authors implement different approaches to prevent these infections in their surgical setting. The findings demonstrate that a care bundle comprising various interventions reduced the overall SSI rate by over 100%. The authors suggest that strict adherence to and monitoring of compliance reduces SSIs among patients. The study is critical as it supports the PICOT by demonstrating the efficacy of the suggested intervention.

The article by Davidson et al. (2020) explores the impact of a surgical site infection bundle in reducing the rate of infections among cesarean deliveries. The authors implemented an SSI bundle for cesareans in their hospital. The researchers used a retrospective cohort study to assess the implementation of the SSI care bundle among cesarean women. Findings show that the intervention, infection prevention bundle, reduced the SSI rate among cesarean deliveries. The article is critical as it shows the overall effects of using the prevention care bundle to reduce cesarean surgical site infections. The article supports the PICOT by illustrating the effectiveness of the selected intervention to reduce infections among surgical patients in hospitals.

The article by Phelan et al. (2020) evaluates the use of a care bundle to reduce incisional surgical site infections for patients with gastrointestinal surgery. The authors evaluate the implementation of a pragmatic, evidence-based bundle focused on decreasing the prevalence of SSI after emergency laparotomy and elective major lower gastrointestinal surgical procedures. Using a prospective before-and-after study in a facility that serves over 1.2 million patients annually, the study results of the different patient groups showed a non-significant reduction in SSI. However, the findings show a reduction in readmissions. Conclusively, the authors note that using the prevention care bundle was associated with a decline in the rate of incisional SSI, reducing from 29.3% to 21.7%. Therefore, few patients needed unplanned readmission. The authors also note that using the bundle led to improved compliance with appropriate antimicrobial prophylaxis. The findings demonstrate that using the bundle ensures that providers have better approaches to reducing the rates of SSIs among patients in their facilities. The article supports the PICOT question as it illustrates that using the care bundle improves outcomes and reduces infections which lead to adverse effects, including readmissions and increased cost of care.

The study by Vicentini et al. (2020) explores the role of a bundle on SSIs after hip arthroplasty procedures in patients in Italy from 2012 to 2019. Using a cohort study approach, the authors assessed over 18,000 procedures with full bundle compliance occurring in 27.9% of them. The authors assert that using a multivariable analysis, they found a significant link between effective compliance with the bundle and a reduction in the SSI rates. The findings of this study support the implementation of bundled interventions as an effective strategy to prevent infections and control practices among patients with hip replacement surgeries. The study recommends the implementation of the bundle protocol for healthcare facilities with limited resources. The article supports the PICOT as it illustrates the effectiveness of the care bundle in lowering the prevalence of surgical site infections among patients with surgical procedures. The article is vital in enhancing evidence to support the implementation of evidence-based interventions to reduce SSIs in all settings.

Comparison of the Articles

The reviewed articles above focus on the efficacy of care bundles in reducing exposure and susceptibility to infections on surgical sites for post-operative patients. The majority of the articles use retrospective cohort design to examine the issue, especially implementing diverse interventions at the same time to reduce these infections. The studies are similar as they compare the interventions or care bundles to the usual practice in surgical site infection management. They all agree that having the interventions will help reduce the susceptibility to infections and help patients get better outcomes like reduced stay in hospitals (Fésüs et al., 2023). The articles employ various interventions to ensure that patients with surgical sites do not get infected. The theme of these articles centered on using different interventions, both medicinal and non-medicinal, to lower the chances of getting infected. The articles focused on different surgical sites, from cesarean section delivery to gastrointestinal surgeries that can be complex when infections occur (Phelan et al., 2020). Therefore, the articles focus on the central approach of reducing SSIs, especially for at-increased-risk patients who require close monitoring.

Conversely, the articles differ in their approaches to the implementation of the interventions. For instance, Vincetini et al. (2020) implement bundled care interventions in their facility based on their unique situation. As such, the interventions may not apply to other settings. These articles demonstrate that there is no one-size-fits-all approach to reducing and preventing SSI in any setting. They also implore providers and hospitals to consider their unique situations and patient’s concerns and needs before implementing any intervention. The articles show different limitations; from resources to time in implementing the interventions. No controversies exist in any of the selected articles.

Future Research

 The analysis of the literature illustrates that gaps exist and require further research in the future. These gaps include limited information on care bundles to reduce surgical site infections, and resources to enhance the implementation of appropriate bundles of care for patients based on their needs. For instance, most of the studies explore surgical infections during cesarean delivery while others use complex processes that may require further research before their integration in any setting for better patient outcomes. These areas require more research to ensure that providers have sufficient knowledge and resources to improve the management of such sites after surgical procedures to lower susceptibility to infections.

Conclusion

The review of the literature shows that using care bundles can reduce and prevent the occurrence of surgical site infections. The prevalence of these infections poses a patient safety threat to patients and leads to increased cost of care because of longer stays in hospitals. As such, the proposed intervention, the care bundle, requires providers to implement a raft of measures, from simple procedures to more complex ones based on the patient’s condition, to reduce surgical site infections.

References

Bagga, R. S., Shetty, A. P., Sharma, V., Vijayanand, K. S., Kanna, R. M., & Rajasekaran, S.

            (2020). Does preventive care bundle have an impact on surgical site infections following

            spine surgery? An analysis of 9607 patients. Spine Deformity, 8, 677-684.

 DOI: 10.1007/s43390-020-00099-0.

Bardia, A., Treggiari, M. M., Michel, G., Dai, F., Tickoo, M., Wai, M., … & Schonberger, R. B.

(2021). Adherence to guidelines for the administration of intraoperative antibiotics in a nationwide US sample. JAMA network open, 4(12), e2137296-e2137296. DOI:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2021.37296

Davidson, C., Enns, J., Dempster, C., Lundeen, S., & Eppes, C. (2020). Impact of a surgical site

infection bundle on cesarean delivery infection rates. American Journal of Infection Control, 48(5), 555-559. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ajic.2019.09.005

Fésüs, A., Benkő, R., Matuz, M., Engi, Z., Ruzsa, R., Hambalek, H., … & Kardos, G. (2023).

4CPS-263 The pharmacist’s role in optimizing surgical antibacterial prophylaxis (sap). Antibiotics (Basel), 10(12) doi.org/10.3390/antibiotics10121509

Phelan, L., Dilworth, M. P., Bhangu, A., Limbrick, J. W., King, S., Bowley, D. M., & Hardy, K.

(2020). Evaluation of a bundle of care to reduce incisional surgical site infection after gastrointestinal surgery. Journal of Infection Prevention, 21(2), 52-59. DOI: 10.1177/1757177419892072

Ribed, A., Monje, B., García-González, X., Sanchez-Somolinos, M., Sanz-Ruiz, P., Rodríguez-

González, C. G., & Sanjurjo-Saez, M. (2020). Improving surgical antibiotic prophylaxis adherence and reducing hospital readmissions: a bundle of interventions including health information technologies. European Journal of Hospital Pharmacy, 27(4), 237-242.

DOI: 10.1136/ejhpharm-2018-001666.

Vicentini, C., Corradi, A., Scacchi, A., Elhadidy, H. S. M. A., Furmenti, M. F., Quattrocolo, F.,

& Zotti, C. M. (2020). Impact of a bundle on surgical site infections after hip arthroplasty: A cohort study in Italy (2012–2019). International Journal of Surgery, 82, 8-13. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijsu.2020.07.064