Hand hygiene

Using Evidence to Address Clinical Problems Learning Objectives Identify gaps between local and best practice Discriminate between valid and invalid reasons for modifying evidence-based clinical practice based on clinical expertise or patient/family preferences Participate effectively in appropriate data collection and other research activities Appreciate strengths and weaknesses of scientific bases for practice Acknowledge own limitations in knowledge and clinical expertise before determining when to deviate from evidence-based best practices Strategy Overview In this exercise, students work independently or in groups to explore current practice on a unit where they are having their clinical experience. This exercise can span a few weeks. It is most helpful if the problem students explore is specific to the unit on which they are currently having clinical experiences so that they can look at their own practice over time as well as that of the staff. Problems to be considered could include but are not limited to: increased number of patients with hospital acquired infections, increased number of needle stick injuries, or poor report practices. Once the problem is identified, the student(s) investigates staff perceptions of the problem. [For instance, do staff see this as a problem? Why or why not? What initiatives have been tired (if any) by the unit staff to address or prevent it? Is this problem addressed at unit meetings/in-services?] Interview the faculty member to query if this has happened or been an issue during previous semesters. Review charts on the unit to identify the extent of the problem (alternatively, each student may report relevant data related to the problem for their assigned patients and construct a simple database to look at incidence of the problem for their patients over time related to national data). What does the literature recommend? How and in what ways does this relate to nursing? Submitted Assignment Each individual student will complete a 2-page reflection paper, that addresses the following questions (grading rubric below): 1. What was the topic or issue your identified/addressed 2. What did you learn during this exercise 3. What were the obstacles you encountered during this exercise 4. What will you bring forward with you as you enter the role as a professional Registered Nurse The topic I chose is: Hand hygiene