Evidence-Based Practice Changes (ANSWERED)

QUESTION

Purpose:

The purpose of this discussion is for learners to examine one area in the 20^th century where evidence has changed practice.

Course Outcomes:

This discussion enables the student to meet the following course outcome:

CO3: Identify persons and events in nursing history impacting evidence-based practice from the 20^th century and 21^st century. (PO8)

Due Date

During the assigned week (Sunday the start of the assigned week through Sunday the end of the assigned week):
- Posts in the discussion at least two times, and
- Posts in the discussion on two different days

Points Possible

50 points

Directions

Discussions are designed to promote dialogue between faculty and students, and students and their peers. In discussions students:
- Demonstrate understanding of concepts for the week
- Integrate outside scholarly sources when required
- Engage in meaningful dialogue with classmates and/or instructor
- Express opinions clearly and logically, in a professional manner
Use the rubric on this page as you compose your answers.
Best Practices include:
- Participation early in the week is encouraged to stimulate meaningful discussion among classmates and instructor.
- Enter the discussion often during the week to read and learn from posts.
- Select different classmates for your reply each week.

Discussion

The evidence to guide nursing practice has changed greatly during the 20^th century. Select one area where evidence in nursing care changed during the 20^th century and tell us about it.

ANSWER

Evidence-based Practice Changes

Hospital infection control is one area where evidence in nursing care changed during the 20th century. Smith et al. (2012) indicate that the risk of acquiring hospital-acquired infections (HAI) significantly reduced after the inception of hospital infection control programs in the mid-20th century. The authors state that cleaning the operating room after each procedure had become standard practice. Boiling and reusing syringes, gloves, needles, and catheters were standard practices. By the 1930s, the incidences of streptococcal infections had significantly reduced partly due to the introduction of antibiotics and these standard procedures (Smith et al., 2012).

However, Staphylococcus aureus (an infectious disease pathogen) developed antibiotic resistance. Staphylococcal epidemics, such as pneumonia, skin infections, and boils, became problematic due to this pathogen’s antibiotic resistance. Nursing staff and medical professionals became susceptible to skin infections; many were dermal and nasal carriers of S aureus (Smith et al., 2012). According to Smith et al. (2012), approximately 10%-23% of medical students developed clinical tuberculosis. New evidence emerged showing that most medical students acquired clinical TB while attending autopsies of TB patients.

The government created various infection control programs in response to the high rates of hospital infections among medical staff. Smith et al. (2012) reveals that the first infection control nurses (ICNs) were appointed at this time to collect data on hospital infections. Most of the ICNs were experts in bacteriology. According to Smith et al. (2012), the nurses soon realized the importance of educating medical staff on hygiene practices. Therefore, hospitals started educating and training medical staff on hygiene standards to prevent HAI. Other measures undertaken to reduce hospital infections include ensuring environmental cleanliness, proper handling of linens, quarantine, and isolation of TB patients. The need for standard procedures for admission emerged, given that patients with contagious diseases remained unknown until later when the disease progressed. Hospitals also instituted policies and procedures for the surveillance of infectious diseases.

References

Smith, P. W., Watkins, K., & Hewlett, A. (2012). Infection control through the ages. American journal of infection control, 40(1), 35-42. https://cha.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/AJIC-2012-Infection-Control-Through-the-Ages.pdf