Dehydration in Older People Admitted to Hospital - Annotated Bibliography Example

Study design and methodology(type of trial, randomization, blinding, controls, study groups, length of study, etc.
The study is quantitative in nature and is an observation-based study and the observations were conducted at two different time periods. Once when the sample was first employed and one week later.

Study population: selection and enrollment (age, sex, inclusion/exclusion criteria, etc.)
The total sample size was 43 individuals aged over 60 who were recently admitted to a healthcare center. Individuals who were forced to be admitted and who had a pacemaker were not made part of the sample size.

Study results/ outcomes
When the patients were first admitted to the healthcare center, they experienced higher levels of dehydration. Different physiological factors were considered while identifying hydration levels including systolic blood pressure levels and dryness of the tongue.

Study strengths and limitations:
Was the sample size adequate, and large enough to detect a significant result? Was Statistical power mentioned?
The study was descriptive in nature and for a descriptive study, a sample size of 15 is enough, the study employed 43 individuals and this means that the sample size was enough. The statistical power of 95% has been mentioned which means that the sample size is adequate for the study.

Was this a good study design? Why?
The study was well designed as it followed all the requirements of a descriptive study such as the requirement of the minimum sample size. The study even contained various factors that were related to the purpose of the study.

If applicable. Was an appropriate method of dietary assessment utilized?
Was randomization adequate?
Yes, the randomization was adequate.
Was the drop-out rate equal, unequal, or biased? Explain
The dropout rate can be said to be biased as people were excluded from who a pacemaker had attached to them.

Were all relevant outcomes reported? Which ones were reported and why?
The relevant outcomes of the prevalence as well as the measures and factors of measuring dehydration were clearly mentioned. These outcomes were relevant to the purpose of the study and that is why they were reported.

Was the eligibility criteria appropriate? Explain
The study included only patients aged over 60 which is mostly the benchmark age of older adults in most nations. This means that the findings of the study can be generalized in people belonging to other nations and this is why the eligibility criteria were appropriate.

Was participants’ compliance assessed? Explain
The participants were informed and approval from them was granted for carrying out the study, therefore, their compliance was taken into consideration.
Were groups treated equally (the only thing different is the intervention)? Explain
The only group studied was the patients in the healthcare center and they were provided equal and unbiased treatment.

Were study groups comparable? Explain
The study groups were similar to the study groups of GARU and other researchers that are relevant to this research.

Potential for bias?
There was no biasness in the study and those who participated in the study did so in a voluntary manner.
Were at least 80% of participants followed? For how long?
All participants were followed one week after they had been admitted to the healthcare center.

Conclusion by the author
The older adults were experiencing higher levels of dehydration as compared to the dehydration levels assessed by the hospital. This study helped in identifying parameters that are being considered globally to assess the level of dehydration.

Your thoughts regarding the application and impact of the study on nutrition care
The study has provided some new measures for identifying the levels of dehydration among older adults and these measures can be utilized in clinical settings to perform the same analysis. This can help in better care of the patient as nurses should know whether their patients are taking the appropriate amount of fluid intake. Read More