NUR-590 Benchmark Evidence-Based Practice Project Proposal Final Paper

Benchmark

Assessment Description

For this assignment, you will synthesize the independent evidence-based practice project proposal assignments from NUR-550 and NUR-590 into a 4,500-5,000-word professional paper.

The final paper should:

  • Incorporate all necessary revisions and corrections suggested by your instructors.
  • Synthesize the different elements of the overall project into one paper. The synthesis should reflect the main concepts for each section, connect ideas or overarching concepts, and be rewritten to include the critical aspects (do not copy and paste the assignments).
  • Contain supporting research for the evidence-based practice project proposal.

Main Body of the Paper

The main body of your paper should include the following sections:

  • Problem Statement
  • Organizational Culture and Readiness
  • Literature Review
  • Change Model, or Framework
  • Implementation Plan
  • Evaluation Plan

Appendices

  • The appendices at the end of your paper should include the following:

All final changes or revisions for the drafts that will be included in the appendices of your paper.

General Requirements for NUR-590 Benchmark Evidence-Based Practice Project Proposal Final Paper

  • You are required to cite 10-12 peer-reviewed sources to complete this assignment. Sources must be published within the last 5 years and appropriate for the assignment criteria and nursing content.
  • Prepare this assignment according to the guidelines found in the APA Style Guide, located in the Student Success Center.
  • This assignment uses a rubric. Please review the rubric prior to beginning the assignment to become familiar with the expectations for successful completion.
  • You are required to submit this assignment to LopesWrite. A link to the LopesWrite technical support articles is located in Class Resources if you need assistance.

Benchmark Information

This benchmark assignment assesses the following programmatic competencies:

MBA-MSN; MSN-Nursing Education; MSN Acute Care Nurse Practitioner-Adult-Gerontology; MSN Family Nurse Practitioner; MSN-Health Informatics; MSN-Health Care Quality and Patient Safety; MSN-Leadership in Health Care Systems; MSN-Public Health Nursing

1.1: Translate research and knowledge gained from practice, while adhering to ethical research standards, to improve patient outcomes and clinical practice. 5.1: Design ethically sound, evidence-based solutions to complex health care issues related to individuals, populations, and systems of care.

Week 8 Participation

Participating in classroom discussion is paramount to the learning experience. Participating in the weekly discussions allows students and instructors to share experiences, investigate complicated subject matter, share expertise, and examine the content from new perspectives. The qualitative participation requirements are:

  • Follow-up responses to classmates’ initial answers or responses that integrate course theories with a practical application of the subject, offering a personal observation or experience, or referencing real-world examples, current events, or presenting current research on the topic.
  • Classroom interaction demonstrating deeper or broader thoughts beyond rephrasing what the textbook has presented on the topic. 
  • Responses encouraging further discussion and ongoing dialogue with other students and the instructor in the class.
  • Asking additional, relevant questions about the week’s topic.
  • Communications that are presented in a professional and supportive manner, and with respectful tone.

The participation expectations in this class are:

  • Number of Required Substantive Posts Each Day: 1
  • Number of Required Days: 3

Course Grade Scale

Benchmark – Evidence-Based Practice Proposal Final Paper Section A: Organizational Culture And Readiness Assessment

It is required to finish the Organizational Culture and Readiness Assessment prior to implementing evidence-based practice (Yusif, Hafeez-Baig & Soar, 2017). Any organization’s readiness and culture for evidence-based practice could be advised by the assessment’s findings.

Organizational Readiness

The assessment’s findings demonstrate that many organizations have made room for evidence-based practice. There were eighteen questions in the evaluation, and the majority of participants answered about eight of them in the NUR-590 Benchmark Evidence-Based Practice Project Proposal Final Paper. The firm is making the proper strides in utilizing research for EBP. EBP directs its professional practice and vision; as a result, it trains the staff to advance the practice with the help of the doctor.

There is a department devoted to research as well, and its dedicated scientists and researchers have several publications in print. The staff is assisted in learning and using EBP. Advanced practice nurses are helpful for both teaching and translating. There are many libraries devoted to EBP and research, allowing computers to be used by all employees to access material.

Mentoring is an essential act with the mentoring program helping to drive the mentors and their learners. The interdependent teams have been crucial and act as the driving force. The team consists of nurse champions, educators, administrators, and physicians in the NUR-590 Benchmark Evidence-Based Practice Project Proposal Final Paper. Metrics are an essential aspect due to the size of the organization.

Sharing the results and practices has helped other facilities through peer groups who help in sharing metrics. The peer groups also share and discuss both the EBP and effects. It is one of the goals for the organization to attain magnet status. The organization values the use of EBP as it understands it is the primary way to success.

Section B: Proposal/Problem Statement And Literature Review

Dementia is among the main challenges affecting the aged. The condition affects the memory, thinking, and social abilities of the people. It also affects the daily routine of the individuals and is a combination of several diseases. One of the affected areas is the loss of memory, and lack of memory is not a base to conclude the presence of dementia.

Alzheimer’s disease is the leading cause of dementia in older adults (Emre et al., 2014). Several issues lead to the condition and can be solved through alternative therapies or medications. The two methods are responsible for reducing agitation described in the NUR-590 Benchmark Evidence-Based Practice Project Proposal Final Paper. The paper aims at determining the most appropriate method for treating dementia through an analysis of secondary data.

The research employed the use of current research articles to support the PICOT statement. Materials that are recently published would offer up-to-date data about the condition. The choice of these articles was founded on the capacity to relate different treatments for the disease. Therefore, the selected items would help determine the best type of treatment that would help in curing the condition. 

The articles will answer the PICOT question that assesses the best treatment method for dementia. Besides, other than treating the disease, the treatment method would deal with agitation. The aged patients are the main subjects that were involved in the research as they are the main ones who are at advanced risk of suffering from dementia. It was easy to obtain the necessary articles as the search provided many relevant materials that would offer a detailed analysis. Analysis of secondary data acted as the primary method for analysis. The research depended more on research done in the past. According to Johnston (2017), the method helps develop the PICOT statement due to the availability of ready data. 

The method is appropriate, especially to researchers who have limited time and resources as shown from the NUR-590 Benchmark Evidence-Based Practice Project Proposal Final Paper. The results prove that both the use of medications and alternative therapies are effective methods in reducing agitation in patients who have dementia.

The use of music therapy and massage are necessary measures to help the affected patients and those at advanced risk for dementia. Atypical drugs are also useful in the treatment of behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia. The use of these medications has been associated with several side effects that continue to affect the lives of the victims.

In conclusion, the study proved that Nonpharmacological interventions could provide positive results in the reduction of dementia. The most appropriate population for the study is the aged adults as they are at an advanced risk for dementia described. One of the main limitations of the research included a lack of financial funding for the resources necessary for the study. Besides, there are other limitations, like the use of some therapies that employ the use of sound scientific foundations to prove ineffective. The issue follows the presence of symptomatic Alzheimer’s disease.

The third limitation lies with inappropriate methodological quality in music therapy toward the treatment of the condition. The issues necessitate additional research to uncover more information concerning music therapy and the treatment of dementia.

Proposed Solution

Dementia is unraveled by using behavior change initiatives (Bessey & Walaszek, 2019). Patients are supposed to involve themselves in alternative therapies which fit in music and art. It is, therefore, necessary to motivate the aged people to change their beliefs and behaviors. The patients should take part in physical activities like music and dance and exercise to deal with the condition. Physical activities divert the attention of aged people from the use of drugs to treat dementia.

The aging will, therefore, consider exercising as an essential solution for their condition. Besides, it is necessary to have a directorial principle that safeguard both verbal and on paper information is delivered to the patients.

There is also support for data by different procedures that ensure that important information is available in the NUR-590 Benchmark Evidence-Based Practice Project Proposal Final Paper. The main role of the nurses is monitoring the long-lasting results connected to the clients. Another issue includes making sure that the collected data is detailed.

These issues add to simple infrastructures employed in the collection of data associated with the patients, and pathology of data (Shah et al., 2016). The issue makes sure that the condition is managed both at the population and individual levels. Besides, physical activities are also a cheaper method as it involves fewer resources to control the condition.

Organization Culture

The endorsed solution is reliable with the values of the community. People of different cultures are affected or infected differently. Besides, the main reason for the consistency is its ability to provide emotional care and team care to the management.

Expected Outcomes

One of the expected outcomes is reduction of agitation. The outcome results when dementia is managed through alternative therapies. It is one of the easiest methods to use with the patients. Participating in physical activities results in the reduction of the number of deaths among the patients affected by dementia. The use of the method is essential as it helps in improving the mobility issue among aged patients. The case leads to the improvement of the health status (Groot et al., 2016).

Method To Achieve Outcomes

The process of realizing the outcomes depends on several methods. Some of the used techniques include the use of proper communication as well as the psychological support of the patients. Besides, it is also necessary to make regular follow-ups to ensure that the patients improve.

Outcome Impact

It is necessary to detect the occurrence of the disease early. The issue helps in the delivery of quality. The issue helps in controlling dementia before it can affect the patients fully. Early detection helps in maintaining the quality of care in connection to the life of the patient. The issue of effective communication among health care professionals helps to relay the correct information (Thyrian et al., 2016).

It helps to improve the quality of care since it reduces any chances of errors. Physicians can enhance the outcome of the patients through reducing the depression and anxiety among the patients. The efficiency of care provided is dependent on the kind of staff that are employed is detailed. The use of skilled, experienced and competent nurses will improve the efficiency of care provided to the patients.

Evidence-Based Practice Proposal – Section D: Change Model

More than a few theoretical models help to turn the outcomes of research into medical practice. The models help organizations to implement EBP in their practice. Leaders in many organizations mainly decide evidence-based practices. These models help break the complicated process into small units and bring a systematic approach. Their use assists in improving success rates, results in the efficient allocation of resources, completing the implementation, and providing a mechanism that helps implement the outcomes. Dementia is a problem that can be dealt with through the Iowa Model of Evidence-Based Practice.

One of the areas of concern for the Iowa Model is in care promotion. The model is essential in easing the implementation of EBP. Many organizations contain a documented performance of the model in terms of success rate and value. Besides, the model uses an algorithm possessing decision points and feedback loops. There is also a feedback mechanism within the algorithm which helps in questioning the practice. The issue helps in determining the availability of evidence that assists in improving the methods. The model focuses on practical challenges and new knowledge only (White & Spruce, 2015 ).

The model is selected to reduce agitation in dementia patients as it can work with changes in an organization (White & Spruce, 2015). Secondly, it concentrates on an interdisciplinary approach through input from teams in implementing EBP. Besides, the model is intuitive, friendly to the users, and understandable, hence attractive. It also gives space for trials associated with the change before implementation (White & Spruce, 2015).

The Iowa model contains different stages. The initial stage entails assessing the practice. Besides, the stage drives the formation of questions in clinical settings. These questions are obtained in clinical judgment, research, and the patient’s preferences (Iowa Model Collaborative et al., 2017). The following stage is decision-making. The main decision is founded on the priority of choice as per the National Patient Safety goals.

The matching of the patient’s goals and the questions raises the chances for it being a priority. Another stage is planning, followed by implementation and, finally, evaluating the change (Stavor, Zedreck-Gonzalez & Hoffmann, 2017 ). The implementation of the change involves diverse pilot units. Also, the evaluation stage involves evaluating the success of the change.

It is necessary to assess the practice concerning dementia to reduce agitation. It is necessary to determine the primary concern and outcome of the research. It is at this step that compares if alternative therapies are effective in reducing agitation in the patients. Regarding the second stage, it is vital to decide on resource availability and what had worked in the past. 

The main concern will be how changing the practice will occur as described by the NUR-590 Benchmark Evidence-Based Practice Project Proposal Final Paper. The third stage will entail planning based on relevant and applicable data towards facilitating the change in care delivery. At this step, it will be essential to collect data.

In conclusion, after data is collected, the intervention stage brings in the process of revising the caregiving protocol (Giauque, 2015). Finally, there will be an evaluation to determine the plan’s success in reducing agitation in dementia patients. The stage will involve training the staff, communicators, and reviewers as well as employ educators. It will also be necessary to consider giving feedback and monitoring the change in practice.

Evidence-Based Practice Proposal – Section E: Implementation Plan Implementation Plan Numerous difficulties are involved in an organization’s change implementation process. The process will require the assistance of several stages, people, drivers, hurdles, or impediments (Bernhardsson et al., 2017). The implementation of any suggested solution will be highlighted in the paper along with its key methods. The solution that must be used to address the issue was highlighted in the hypothesis statement.

As an intervention for dementia patients, the method of lowering agitation has a variety of drawbacks. Patient behavior modification is one of the key treatments. The healing process will therefore require notable inclusion of alternative interventions. The primary method used in reducing agitation is the use of alternative therapies, including music and art. Involvement in physical activities among older adults who have dementia is a robust method of reducing agitation.

The Potential Subjects

The implementation of the solution will be practiced in several care centers. Members who want to join the process will do so voluntarily. The recruitment will involve an advertisement that will run for two weeks to reach many dementia patients. Since the study will incorporate human beings’ analysis, there is a need to ensure that a consent form is prepared (Barber, 2018). The participants will, therefore, sign the consent forms before the start of the study.

The signing of the forms will indicate that old adults are willing to take part in the survey. The participants will also be educated on the requirements during the course, including the risks involved. The issue will also confirm that the participants have been educated on the different aspects of the study.

Time

With the implementation of physical activities for dementia patients, there is a need for planning on the time required. Exercises play an essential role in the reduction of agitation among old adults. The implementation of the project is projected to take a total of two months.

Resources

Resources make work easier in implementing the interventions. The issue implies that a budget must be set aside to cater for the required resources. These are the costs of all the expenditures the old adults will need during the physical activities within the eight weeks that the project will run. The stage takes the highest bunch of resources and marks the area; many projects fail to achieve the intended goal and objectives.

The lack of these resources means that the project will fail. Some of the resources required to implement the intervention and reduce agitation among the patients include dieticians, physical facilities, physical trainers, and medical doctors. Much of the budget will therefore be used to pay for the services by these professionals and acquire equipment used for exercises.

Monitoring The Implementation

Questionnaires to the participants will be very useful in evaluation. It will be essential to administer the questionnaires every two weeks to assess the progress towards achieving the set goals. The choice for the use of questionnaires is an easy time in its analysis. Many healthcare organizations are also familiar with the help of questionnaires among its leadership and staff detailed in the NUR-590 Benchmark Evidence-Based Practice Project Proposal Final Paper. The use of this method is also cheap and hence lowers the cost of conducting the entire study. The use of questionnaires only requires the expense of photocopying the questions (Brace, 2018).

There is a high likelihood that most of these participants, due to their age and different experience, have heard or filled questionnaires before. The use of a simple questionnaire where participants respond by a yes or no or place a tick on the respective response makes the method easy to use. Questionnaires are filled by the respective participants and represent the principled stand for the individual taking part in the study.

Delivery Of The Intervention

The method used in delivering the proposed intervention is an integrated approach (Reid & Sanders, 2019). The primary interventions considered for implementation are nutritional education, physical activities, and behavior change. The main area of education will be eating healthy foods to provide energy for the exercises. Another area of concern is the type of activities that will help the old adults recover from the conditions and avoid straining. 

Besides, all the participants will be involved in the implementation of the interventions. It will be essential to initiate simple tasks initially and then progress to other advanced studies later. The issue will help the old adults to strengthen the muscles as well as gain the lost energy is tackled in the NUR-590 Benchmark Evidence-Based Practice Project Proposal Final Paper. Education and training should feature the main areas to focus on and what not to do before initiating the physical activities.

Data Collection

During the two months of the study, questionnaires will help in collecting data. The intervention will be subjected to the old adults and data collected out of their experience. The participants will then fill the questionnaires each week concerning their experience after the exercises. The reduction of agitation will be evident after the use of the interventions in a few hours. Excel spreadsheets will hold the collected data, which will then be analyzed.

Dealing With Challenges

Some of the main challenges in conducting the study are lack of equipment for exercise and training costs. The majority of older adults lack the funds for buying healthy food, which is required during the activities. It is advisable to partner with organizations focusing on organic food to offer such products at affordable costs or even for free (NUR-590 Benchmark Evidence-Based Practice Project Proposal Final Paper). Partnering with other advanced organizations will provide the much-required equipment for training. These organizations have a well-established sports department.

Feasibility Of The Implementation Plan

The implementation phase incurs the highest cost. The trainer will take much of the expenses. Since the study runs for eight weeks, hiring a trainer is a useful option. Another consideration is the subsidy on the food taken during the physical exercises. Subsidized and healthy food will be sufficient for the health and the pocket of the participants (Allcott, Diamond & Dubé, 2017 ). A data storage device will assist in storing data collected in the entire period of the study. There will be a need to have a data storage device that will store the data collected over the eight

Plan For The Proposed Solution

The collected data will determine the action to discontinue, extend, revise, or even maintain the intervention. The decision is made based on the results from the questionnaires. The preliminary finding, therefore, is dependent on the success of the questionnaire in collecting data.

Evidence-Based Practice Proposal – Section F: Evaluation Of Process

The process of evaluation of the development plans gives essential data on the appropriate methods for improvement. It is necessary to assess the collected data to determine the success rate (Wettinger et al., 2014). In the process, the primary objective is meeting the goals and future areas of research. There are different ways of assessing the success of a project. The success of these methods lies in their ability to analyze the collected information. The evaluation process is necessary for drawing the conclusions and recommendations needed for future research and development on a topic.

Rationale for the methods

There are different methods employed in collecting data. These methods target proof of how practical physical activities are reducing agitation in patients who have dementia. One of the primary ways of use is questionnaires. Questionnaires were selected due to previous knowledge in filling such documents by the participants in the past. Another benefit is linked to its cost compared to other methods.

The use of questionnaires only requires photocopying papers used by the participants to fill their details. The technique also incorporates the issue of privacy, and hence the participants can feel free to use the NUR-590 Benchmark Evidence-Based Practice Project Proposal Final Paper. The case provides accurate delivery of information as they are assured of their privacy and confidentiality (Keränen et al., 2017 ).

Outcome measures

The study will be successful when it shows positive results on the patients. Therefore, the success will mark a reduction in the rate of agitation among the patients within a short period.

One of the primary objectives is providing an alternative method for reducing agitation as opposed to using medications. The project measurements were accomplished by comparing results obtained after the participants took part in an exercise. The data after the exercise is further compared with the previous one before involving in the physical activity.

Statistical methods are used in analyzing the evidence presented in the collected data. The methods will highlight the main advantages associated with reliability, validity, and applicability of data. The main techniques employed in the analysis include statistical and mathematical models. The different models are based on practical and achievable outcomes making the results reliable, applicable, and valid (Cook et al., 2015). Making the project suitable to all the patients is necessary for making the results accurate.

Measurement and evaluation of outcomes

Obtaining negative results in the project will require establishing alternative methods.

These methods will ensure that the results are improved. Therefore, it is necessary to analyze the negative results by giving recommendations that will help improve the results. These recommendations are primarily based on the methods that will enhance the outcome.

In such a case that there are no chances to improve the project, the strategy and action to take is termination. The process of analyzing the data is necessary since it determines whether the project will achieve the required outcome as outlined in the NUR-590 Benchmark Evidence-Based Practice Project Proposal Final Paper. The process is, therefore, essential when conducted as the last strategy.

Besides, the primary implication associated with the results indicates the usefulness of physical activities in reducing agitation. When there are positive results, the project demonstrates that physical activities are an effective means of lowering agitation in dementia cases.

Furthermore, the project’s failure indicates the opposite, with physical activities being an ineffective method used in reducing agitation. Therefore, it is critical to consider further research that will focus on alternative methods used in the reduction of agitation among such patients.

In conclusion, the process of evaluation is an integral part of a proposed project. It helps in making sure that the objectives of the project are met. Besides, the evaluation process helps in the making of critical decisions regarding the practicability of the scheme. The issue helps in deciding on whether to continue or terminate the project. The use of physical activities in the reduction of dementia proved successful and effective. Therefore, it is critical to employ the use of these exercises as opposed to the use of medications while attempting to reduce agitation among dementia patients.

References

  • Allcott, H., Diamond, R., & Dubé, J. P. (2017). The geography of poverty and nutrition: Food deserts and food choices across the United States. National Bureau of Economic Research.
  • Barber, B. (2018). Research on human subjects: Problems of social control in medical experimentation. Routledge
  • Bernhardsson, S., Lynch, E., Dizon, J. M., Fernandes, J., Gonzalez-Suarez, C., Lizarondo, L., … & Grimmer, K. (2017). Advancing evidence-based practice in physical therapy settings: multinational perspectives on implementation strategies and interventions. Physical therapy, 97(1), 51-60.
  • Bessey, L. J., & Walaszek, A. (2019). Management of behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia. Current psychiatry reports, 21(8),66. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31264056/
  • Brace, I. (2018). Questionnaire design: How to plan, structure, and write survey material for significant market research. Kogan Page Publishers.
  • Cook, D. A., Brydges, R., Ginsburg, S., & Hatala, R. (2015). A contemporary approach to validity arguments: a practical guide to Kane’s framework. Medical education, 49(6), 560-575
  • Emre, M., Ford, P. J., Bilgiç, B., & Uç, E. Y. (2014). Cognitive impairment and dementia in Parkinson’s disease: practical issues and management. Movement Disorders, 29(5), 663- 672
  • Giauque, D. (2015). Attitudes toward organizational change among public middle managers. Public Personnel Management, 44(1), 70-98.
  • Groot, C., Hooghiemstra, A. M., Raijmakers, P. G. H. M., Van Berckel, B. N.M., Scheltens, P., Scherder, E. J. A., … & Ossenkoppele, R. (2016). The effect of physical activity on cognitive function in patients with dementia: a meta-analysis of randomized control trials. Aging research reviews, 25, 13-23