Quantitative Research Critique
Debriefing after codes refers to the reflection of the experiences and practices by the staff members following critical events. It is essential as it acts as a platform for making corrections of practices or applauding of ideal and recommended practices. Although in most instances the debriefing is usually made after critical events, the process can also be done on a daily basis or even in the existence of no code event. In care centers practicing debriefing is, both informal and formal ways can be applied to achieve the same purpose. Sandhu et al (2016) carried out a study on development of a process of a daily intensive care unit multidisciplinary operational debriefing.
Background of the study.
Most of the organizations have comprehensive programs that are formal for the management of stress. However, there is a need for approaches that are helpful regarding meeting the specific needs for the unit that it serves. The absence of such approaches is what led to the study to determine a process of daily intensive care unit multidisciplinary operational debriefing that would fit the unit which in most cases has staff with high levels of stress.
The intensive care unit is unique in that it has many code events as well as activities that are intensive and can lead to stress and burn out. The stress may accumulate among the staff members and hinder their efficiency in undertaking their clinical duties. This led to the study to determine the impact of the daily approach of debriefing. The daily debriefing is essential in that they can continuously keep the staff off the stressful situations.
Besides, the operational debriefing use the same concepts as the traditional debriefings with the difference being that they are being offered on a daily basis instead of reserving the process for only code events. Also, the processes are informal, brief and multidisciplinary encompassing chaplain, ICU nurses, intensivists, nutritionist, social workers, pharmacists, and physicians. All these lead to the purpose of study that aimed at determining the perception of the staff concerning the implementation of the operational debriefings that are conducted on a daily basis.
Research Questions.
- What are the impacts of debriefing after codes?
- What attitudes does staff indicate for the implementation of daily debriefings?
- Are there needs for the debriefing after codes to fit specific care settings?
The above research questions reflect the importance of debriefing on a daily basis as it provides the attitude and information of the staff concerning the process.
Method of study.
The author states existence of no risks to the participants of the study. They, however, indicate that the research would directly or indirectly impact the lives of the participants in their process of providing care to the patients. The subjects participated in the study after provision of informed consent. The survey was voluntary and anonymous. It was administered after six months of implementation of the daily debriefing processes. The questions were relatively simple, close-ended and straightforward.
According to the authors, the survey was simple to use in the determination of the attitude of the staff as well as quantifying their perception of the process. The data collection event entailed the determination of the participants who were staff members of the intensive care unit, requesting them to take the survey upon which the staff would respond to the question on a voluntary basis.
Results of the study.
The potential participants were 47 including one nutritionist, one pharmacist, one social worker, two nurse managers and 42 nurses. Out of this number, 42 participants completed the survey. From the results, the majority of the respondents had a feeling that the daily multidisciplinary debriefing offered an efficient support system that is unit-based, indicated a commitment towards the well being of others and a sense of unity among the staff members. About half of the respondents felt that there was reduction of stress levels by engaging in the daily operational debriefings with 98% opting for the regular debriefing process to continue.
The findings indicate a reflection of the reality in the intensive care unit. I have confidence in the results since they are in line with the purpose of the debriefing process with the consideration of the setting of the study. Based on the fact that the target population was small, the study cannot be generalized in other units or even different intensive care settings (Creswell and Creswell, 2017). Despite the existence of logic in the results with the majority advocating for the continuation of the implementation, only half valued the process to impact their stress level in the unit.
These finding can be applied in the nursing practice by the adoption of debriefing records that are unit based to meet the objects of the particular unit. Other care settings with highly stressful events such as the accident and emergency departments can also apply the approach to relieve them of the stress. With respondents pointing on the process to provide a unit based support system, the nursing profession can modify the process to meet the needs of various units within the healthcare system.
Ethical considerations.
The study was approved and published in the PubMed database in the year 2016 which opened it for peer review and comments. In the entire period of study, privacy was provided to the participants. This process was done by carrying out of anonymous survey which was only differentiated by codes. The participants were also instructed not to write their names anywhere in the study. In addition to the above considerations, the authors recognized and acknowledge all the authors of the articles they used for the literature review. They did this through the citations and the referencing of their articles.
Conclusion.
With the existence of the formal debriefing processes, there is a need for modification of the processes to meet the needs of various units. The determination of the attitude of the staff members in a unit provides the outlook and importance of the modified approach of debriefing. It is this determination that the nursing team can plan and spearhead the changes that would see the code events, burnouts and stress are dealt with at all times.
The outcome of this study is applicable in the nursing practice in such a manner that develops various approaches that can be used to in different care settings. Such modifications are likely to make the working environment favorable to allow the provision of safe and quality services by the staff members. It is critical to note that debriefing process is vital in the medical field to reflect on the actions of individuals as well as the activities of the day. It acts as an indicator of the care that both the staff and patients benefit from debriefing thus need for substantial attention by all health practitioners.
References:
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