Prevention of Unpremeditated Perioperative Hypothermia - Research Proposal Example

Research Problem Even though inadvertent hypothermia poses serious outcomes within perioperative patient setting, Hegarty, & ettal (2009) notes that the entire nursing knowledge regarding hypothermia is still under investigated. The researchers note that, although knowledge regarding how to identify and manage hypothermia is a crucial facet of perioperative nursing setting there is little specialized understanding or literature, regarding issues entailing accidental exposure of trauma patients to hypothermia. Research Purpose Thus, the aim of this quantitative descriptive research study was to appraise nurses’ knowledge on the subject of prevention of unpremeditated perioperative hypothermia (Hegarty, & ettal, 2009). As a result, Hegarty, & ettal (2009) observes that between 60%-90% perioperative patients by chance become hypothermic, which then results in significant negative outcomes on the patient health, including increased hospital-stays, as well as further procedures and even forced to undergo further diagnostic tests. It therefore becomes important to every perioperative nurse to have an in-depth awareness of inadvertent hypothermia, particularly the risk factors and subsequent complications. Research Question The research question centers on whether perioperative setting nurses do have sufficient knowledge base concerning the management of their patients body temperature in a defined range, given the detrimental outcomes linked to inadvertent hypothermia. Normally, accidental hypothermia among perioperative patients has been linked to deprived patient outcomes, whereby control of the patient body temperature is not under a defined range which can sustain a stable body environment (Hegarty, & ettal, 2009). Informed Consent and Ethical Considerations This study can be considered ethical since it considers the basic ethical principles of research comprising autonomy, non-malfeasance, and justice. Notably, ethical approval was acquired from relevant clinical-research ethical committees, even though the researchers have not stated specifically the institutional names of the committees. Furthermore, informed consent was the hallmark of their research, since they used informational leaflet to notify the volunteers of their participation in the study, and as such, participation was voluntary and personal information acquired through questionnaires were kept confidential. Thus, the volunteers were given detailed purpose and objectives of the research study beforehand (Hegarty, & ettal, 2009). Design In terms of design, the researchers applied a quasi-experimental design whereby the sole variable was not influenced or controlled. The strengths, sample size, limitations, and overall implications have been highlighted just as required in any evidence based nursing study. The study is based on a reflexive progression, which entailed working through every phase of the research whereby the functions of developing theory, gathering and analyzing of data, in addition to elaborating of research questions have been done simultaneously (Hegarty, & ettal, 2009). Hence, each of these functions influenced the others. Data Collection In terms of data collection, questionnaires containing structured questions in several leaflets were filled by participants, even as the entire survey package comprised two survey-tools tailored with consent from original authors of the questionnaires. The intention for tailoring the survey tools was to suit the perioperative setting nurses working environment. Moreover, the study participants were able to identify various techniques applied under their clinical-field when trying to make certain that their patients do not acquire hypothermia. In total there were nine questions with the major questions asking the participants to describe hypothermia and the other to list factors which can result in hypothermia for their perioperative patients. They were also asked to state likely sources of heat loss, the methods each participant applies in their clinical setting to avoid patients acquiring hypothermia, as well as to list complications which are linked to hypothermia (Hegarty, & ettal, 2009). Hegarty, & ettal (2009) tailored the survey tool based on existing literature and also their own knowledge or clinical expertise. The survey package comprised double-demographic question survey tool, and the 23-item Likert-based 1-10 scale which is used to appraise the risk factors for progression of intra-operative hypothermia. However, the downsize to such a design is that even though two highly qualified perioperative nurses were used in assessing the questionnaires answers validity content, the study did not consider the fact that interviewing is a developing process, whereby the participants and the team attain new insights regarding the phenomenon, and as a result, this can subsequently affect follow-up questions and even narrowing of the observation focus (Hegarty, & ettal 2009). Sample Size The sample participants comprised those 198 invited delegates who attended the 2007 Irish Anaesthetic and Recovery Nurses Association conference (Hegarty, & ettal, 2009). Nevertheless, based on the demographics of the study population, the sample size was adequate for that group since out of the 198 participants who participated in the survey, 130 answered and returned the questionnaires as required. This then produced a better response range of around 65.7 % (Hegarty, & ettal , 2009). Still, when it comes to actual demographics of the population pertaining to this condition particularly those nurses in various vocation specialties, such a sample size is deficient and not representative of whole population of the perioperative nurses. Furthermore, such a sample size cannot be generalized, since it was selected from a group of participants who voluntarily attended the conference and this presented the risk that they were vigilant to safeguard their professional commitment when it comes to continuing their education. It could have therefore been important if Hegarty, & ettal (2009) considered selecting participants from diverse experiences, so as to increase the likelihood of discerning the research question from numerous perspectives. Data Analysis Even though the statistics applied are not that explanatory and inferential, data analysis’s involved coding and entering the data into SPSS software or Statistical Package for the Social Sciences. This then generated an overall of 74 factors, even as some samples generated three factors while others generated one or two factors. In particular, those responses from each closed-ended piece were reported independently as frequencies or otherwise percentages (Hegarty, & ettal, 2009). The responses to each open-ended question was transcribed and reviewed by every research team member, so as to recognize emergent themes before being recorded using ordinal descriptors. Given that the reliability of their research findings is impacted by how well the research study grouping and themes covered the data, the researchers have applied representative quotations, based on the transcribed literature. Therefore, this demonstrates that none of the pertinent data was unintentionally and systematically disqualified or otherwise unrelated data included (Hegarty, & ettal, 2009). Limitation Also, the researchers have clearly stated the limitations of their study including providing possible recourse. This is because it is their professional responsibility as nursing researchers to appraise and identify the outcome of their sampling shortfalls, the design constraints, along with data quality issues so as to guide future research. Hence, they were able to justify why they recommended a randomized but controlled research design trial, since it will effectively evaluate perioreptive nurses' acquaintance prior to and following an educational intervention (Hegarty, & etal, 2009). Reference Hegarty, J., Walsh, E., Burton, A., Murphy, S., O'Gorman, F., & McPolin, G. (2009). Nurses' knowledge of inadvertent hypothermia. Journal of Advanced Perioperative Care , 4 (1), 33-42. Read More