Assignment: Capstone Paper: Introduction
In each week of this course, you will apply the steps of the quality improvement process to a real practice problem. This Capstone Paper will provide the comprehensive discussion of your Practice Experience Project.
Practice Problem
State the practice problem in measurable terms and that reflect quality indicators. Include data that suggests a practice problem exists. Do not use anecdotal experiences or opinions.
This is the same problem described in the Week 1 Practice Experience discussion.
Keep in mind that this section may need to be revised after you complete all of the other sections.
Provide the rationale for selecting the practice problem. See Chapter 3, page 69, Exhibit 3.15 in the Spath (2018) text for examples.
Analysis of Existing Evidence
Summarize the findings from at least five evidence-based sources that support your practice problem. The goal of the analysis of existing evidence is to find the best evidence possible that support a change in practice. Identify research, clinical guidelines, expert opinions, and other relevant information and incorporate the results into your quality improvement project. You must include two-three research studies in your analysis. Using your own words synthesize the evidence that supports your identified practice problem. There should be no quotes or personal opinions included in this section.
Complete a review of current nursing evidence for your practice problem. To develop a plan for your quality improvement project you will need to find out what interventions have been successful when applied to your practice problem. The evidence-based process is a problem solving approach where you will assess research, clinical guidelines, expert opinions, and other relevant information and incorporate the results into your quality improvement project. Search for a minimum of five evidence-based sources related to your practice problem. You must include two-three research studies in your review. Synthesize in your own words the evidence that supports your identified practice problem. For example, if your practice problem is reducing patient falls, you will summarize what the evidence you have found has to say about falls and how researchers have identified interventions that promote a decrease in the number of patient falls. In this example, the evidence will likely show that hourly rounding, non skid slippers, a fall risk assessment and low beds are all interventions that the research has shown to improve patient outcomes related to falls in a healthcare setting.
