Critique of Research Studies
Attitudes, risk of infection and behaviors in the operating room (the ARIBO Project): a prospective, cross-sectional study. Abstract Introduction
Contamination in the operating room, as well as surgical site infection, can be results of inappropriate behavior by the staff members in the operating room
Statement of the problem
Operating rooms are restricted areas with the need to maintain its sterility at all times. Inappropriate behavior by the staff members breaches this sterility thus leading to contamination of the environment and surgical site infection.
Hypotheses or research questions
Birguad et al., 2015 hypothesized that movement s by the staff members in the operating room contaminates the environment and leads to surgical site infections.
Literature review
The literature review of the article by Birgand et al. was detailed enough to form the basis of the conclusion. It utilized current resources with few resources of quantitative studies being older than five years.
Conceptual/Theoretical framework
The conceptual framework was applied to this study since the authors determined different variables that were to be observed during the entire study.
Protection of human rights
During the entire period of the study, the privacy of the patients and participants was observed since no name was mentioned in the survey (Birgand et al., 2014). Confidentiality of the information was also maintained.
Research design
Observational study was based on the relationship between data on the operating room behaviors obtained using new technology tools as well as ‘best behavior rules’ that were set by a panel in the earlier moments of the study
Population and sample
They included the operating room personnel and any other persons that are likely to access the operating room in the process of a surgical operation.
Data collection and measurement
Information was collected under three aspects. These encompassed the staff present during the procedure, the surgical procedure and the characteristics of the environment from which the operation was carried out.
Procedures
Motion tracker was used in determining the movements of staff during procedures. The authors also used questionnaires to assess the safety climate and attitude of the staff members about the infection risks in their operating rooms (Birgand et al., 2014). These methods provide a substantial avenue of collecting data answer the research hypothesis.
Results
Data analysis
The study utilized a descriptive analysis of all the parameters obtained.
Reliability and validity
The reliability and validity of the study were assured by the use of multiple approaches in data collection that entailed both questionnaires and the motion tracking system.
Discussion
Interpretation of findings
Behaviors such as failure to be protective gears and non-observance of hand hygiene led to many surgical site infections to the patients. The numbers of surgical site infections also increased with behaviors such as frequent movements in and out of the operating room during the procedures.
Implications/Recommendations
The nurses as well as other healthcare providers ought to behave appropriately and work towards maintaining the sterility of the operating room. This move will see the reduction of contamination of the operating rooms and subsequently the surgical site infections.
Global Issues
Researcher credibility
The authors and the assistance team constituted experts in healthcare with the institutional review board approving the protocol (Birgand et al., 2014). This gives it the credibility to be applied and even be used as a reference by other studies.
Summary assessment
This article reflects the occurrences in the operating room thus challenging the staff members to adjust in maintaining the sterility in the place.
Hand hygiene and aseptic techniques during routine anesthetic care – observations in the operating room
Abstract
Introduction
Hand hygiene and consideration of aseptic technique are all essential practices that ensures sterility and reduces the cross-contamination within the healthcare setting and especially in the operating room.
Statement of the problem
There exist gaps in the practice and determination improvement strategies when it comes to hand hygiene as well as maintenance of aseptic technique in the operating room. More knowledge concerning task intensity for hand hygiene and observation of sterility in the operating room during the anesthetic care is essential for the efficient determination of the improvement strategies.
Research questions
What is the relationship between the knowledge and adherence as well as development of improvement strategies to the hand hygiene and aseptic technique in the operating room during the anesthetic care of patients?
The question is in line with the identified gap thus by answering it, the study will provide a solution to the clinical problem.
Literature review
Megeus et al.,.(2015) used articles related to the topic of study. The materials were current with only a few quantitative research articles being older than five years.
Conceptual/Theoretical framework
The study by Megeus et al. utilized the conceptual framework whereby variables of interest were identified and observed throughout the study
Method
Protection of human rights
Throughout the study, the privacy of the patients and the participants was maintained.
Research design
The researchers used a case study qualitative study design that was based on care before surgery of patients. It was centered on anesthetic care before surgery.
Population and sample
The staff working in the wards encompassing students, anesthesiologists, surgeons, students, and nurses formed the target group.
Data collection and measurement
By the use of a modified version of WHO’s hand hygiene observational method, opportunities and indication and practice of hand hygiene were observed.
Procedures
Adherence to the guidelines was determined concerning the identified opportunities. This observation was done on selected objects and processes defined to require hand hygiene and aseptic technique.
Results
The adherence to the hygiene guidelines was as low as 5.3%(Megeus et al., 2015). There also emerged a relationship between increased workload with reduced adherence to the hand hygiene
Data analysis
According to Megeus et al., 2015. Adherence to the set guideline was determined by dividing the number of hand hygiene actions by the total number of opportunities identified.
Discussion
Interpretation of findings
In general, the adherence to the hand hygiene guidelines was low. There also existed a relationship between high workload, risk-prone care procedures and low adherence to the aseptic technique guidelines.
Implications/Recommendations
The study results imply a significant need to improve various strategies to impact the adherence to the hand hygiene guidelines.
Global Issues
Researcher credibility
The ethical approval of the study by the regional Ethics review board on Gothenburg translates to the credibility of the researcher.
Summary assessment
The article reflects the use of various tools in the care setting and the manner unto which they are affected by other factors. This revelation calls for evaluation and adjustment of practices such as observation of aseptic techniques.
References:
Birgand, G., Azevedo, C., Toupet, G., Pissard-Gibollet, R., Grandbastien, B., Fleury, E., &
Lucet, J. C. (2014). Attitudes, risk of infection and behaviours in the operating room (the
ARIBO Project): a prospective, cross-sectional study. BMJ open, 4(1), e004274.
Karen Bauce, D. N. P. (2018). Nursing Research Critique: A Guide to Excellence. Springer
Publishing Company.
Megeus, V., Nilsson, K., Karlsson, J., Eriksson, B. I., & Andersson, A. E. (2015). Hand hygiene
and aseptic techniques during routine anesthetic care-observations in the operating room.
Antimicrobial resistance and infection control, 4(1), 5.
