Nursing Investigation to Strengthen the Scientific Foundation - Research Paper Example

1.1 IntroductionThis introductory chapter provides a description of the research problem, as well as the rationale, purpose, framework, and research questions that guided the study. 1.2 The ProblemOne of the goals of the discipline of nursing is to increase and strengthen the scientific foundation upon which to base clinical practice. The use of research evidence in practice is an accepted way to achieve this goal and in turn can improve nursing care, optimize patient outcomes, and decrease costs (Higgs, Bum, & Jones, 2001; Titler et al., 1994). However, while the requirement to remain current in knowledge and deliver efficient quality patient care has led to an enthusiastic interest in using research evidence in nursing, as a strategy for the fortification of the basis of the science of nursing, little is known about how evidence is actually translated into nursing practice.

One strategy that has been suggested for increasing awareness and the use of evidence in nursing practice is revising and updating organizational policy and procedure manuals based on the best available evidence (Coyle & Sokop, 1990; Michel & Sneed, 1995). Organizational policies and procedures refer to the policies and procedures developed by organizations to guide their employees in their daily operations. Policies are distinct from procedures although they are related. According to Merriam-Webster's Online Dictionary (2005), a policy refers to “a definite course or method of action selected from among alternatives which in light of given conditions guides and determines present and future decisions.

”  A procedure, on the other hand, refers to “a series of steps followed in a regular definite order” (Merriam-Webster's Online Dictionary). For example, the current body of evidence on intravenous (IV) angiocatheter insertion suggests that chlorhexidine gluconate (CHG) should be used to cleanse the skin prior to IV insertion.  A policy would state that CHG is to be used to cleanse the skin prior to inserting an IV angiocatheter whereas a procedure would state the steps to be followed to cleanse the skin using CHG.