Display of data
Expected Outcomes of the Study
Implementation of Change
Evaluation of Change
In the following discussion this researcher will outline the data collection and measurement techniques, expected outcomes of the Study; implementation of change and
evaluation procedures to be employed in the research project patient in in patent settings.
Introduction
Patient falls in inpatient settings is common in hospitals, nursing homes; assisted living facilities and independent living. There is immense research data on this subject. As such, this research expects to build on previous findings in answering questions proposed in this particular investigation.
Data Collection and Measurement
Method
The data collection techniques would employ a survey. A sample would be drawn from a population of clients functioning in inpatient settings either hospital, nursing home or rehabilitation institution.
Instrument
There will be two instruments; one designed for self-admiration to employees working with inpatients and interviews to be conducted with a sample of inpatients. These instruments will contain biographical sections and sections pertaining to the research topic itself. One approach would be collecting data from the employee perspective and the other from the inpatient who experiences fall or has the potential to fall. A likert scale of 1-5 would be adopted to code responses.
Measurement
There are several measurements that can be applied to data retrieved from surveys. In this case if a hypothesis is used, a chi-quare test of significance could be applied to measure the outcomes. In the case of research questions inferential statistics would be employed after the mean and median values are obtained. Even though this is a survey with qualitative analysis, it may become necessary to reinforce concepts and findings by utilizing inferential statistical measurements (Nieswiadomy, 2007)
Also, considerations are that data can be analyzed via qualitative content analysis using NVIVO 10 software for thematic analysis. The tapes will be transcribed verbatim and a pseudonym assigned to each participant. This will enable the researcher to interpret the emerging themes and carry out simple coding. The simple coding will be followed by a more advanced form of coding. The latter will be achieved via iterative and continuous immersion into the collected data. Qualitative thematic analysis will be used as the analytic tool because it enables the exploration of meanings, patterns, and themes that emerge from text (Hsieh & Shannon, 2005).
Expected Outcomes of the Study
The proposed study hopes to facilitate the identification of the various organizational, professional-related, patient-related, innovation, societal, economic, and political factors that hinder the effective implementation of fall prevention strategies by nurses in these nursing homes. Identification of these local barriers to change will enable the development and adoption of implementation strategies customized to local situations or to those who can overcome local barriers to change (Koh et al., 2008).
Implementation of Change
Implementation of the identified changes will be done using the change model developed by Kurt Lewin in 1951. This change theory consists of three steps: unfreezing, movement, and refreezing. The first stage will entail creating discontent amongst nurses with the status quo. This will be accomplished, for instance, by engaging the nurses in identifying the number and adverse consequences of the preventable patient falls that have occurred in their institutions so far. This will raise awareness of the need for change in the five nursing homes (Marquis & Huston, 2009, p. 168). In the movement stage, the customized fall prevention strategies will be implemented. The change will be implemented gradually to allow all those involved in the change process to become fully assimilated. At this point, the researcher, who is also the change agent, will ensure that the forces for the change exceed those against the change.
In the refreezing stage, the researcher will help integrate the change into the status quo. To do this, the change agent will reinforce and support the individual adaptive efforts of the nurses (Marquis & Huston, 2009, p. 168).
Evaluation of Change
After the change has been implemented, evaluation of its success will be conducted. The evaluation will assess process and outcome measures. Process measures will assess the provision of patient care using evidence-based fall prevention strategies. The outcomes to be assessed, on the other hand, include measures such as the incidence of patient falls in the five hospitals (Hughes, 2008). The findings of outcome and process measures will be compared with the pre-implementation rates in each hospital to determine the impact of the change program. Comparisons will also be made across the five hospitals. External benchmarking against those of best performing hospitals will also be done.
Conclusion
Data collection procedures would entail a survey. The instruments will be interviews and administered questionnaires. Data retrieved from interviews and questionnaire will be analyzed using inferential statistical measurements. This is a qualitative study adopting the three-step Lewin change theoretical perspective for explanation, implementation and evaluation.
References
Hsieh, H. F., & Shannon, S. E. (2005). Three approaches to qualitative content analysis.
Qualitative Health Research, 15(9), 1277-1288.
Hughes, R.G. (2008). Tools and strategies for quality improvement and patient safety. In R.G.
Hughes (ed.), Patient safety and quality: An evidence-based handbook for nurses.
Rockville, MD: Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (US).
Koh, S. S. L., Manias, E., Hutchinson, A.M., Donath, S., & Johnston, L. (2008). Nurses’
perceived barriers to the implementation of a fall prevention clinical practice guideline in
Singapore hospitals. BMC Health Services Research, 8, 105.
Marquis, B. L., & Huston, C. J. (2009). Leadership roles and management functions in nursing:
Theory and application (6th ed.). Philadelphia, PA: Wolters Kluwer Health/ Lippincott
Williams & Wilkins.
Nieswiadomy, M (2007). Foundation of Nursing Research (5th Ed). New York. Prentice Hall.
