Recognizing the Patient's Death - Article Example

The purpose of the research study is to analytically explore the mechanisms by which staff recognizes that the resident is dying besides presenting a typology of various comfort measures. The paper appreciates the fact that the concept of comfort care and measures has been used in different nursing homes; however modes and delivery are different. Despite the timely and succinct discussion, there can be an in-depth analysis in the comparison of practices and the contribution of knowledge that can result in the improvements of conditions of home-based end-of-life care.

Assumptions of research

The assumption that one nursing home is representative of what happens in other homes is not logical. Other homes could have been used to have a representation of the entire study.

Relationship with existing knowledge

There are a number of studies that have been used in the analysis of comfort care in various nursing homes. The author begins by stating that various nursing homes are the source of care for various old people in society. The paper presents an orderly and informed review of the existing literature and theory that gives the basis of the study.

Research design

The paper is a descriptive and exploratory study that involves different qualitative methods and semi-structured in-depth interviews with the staff members of a single nursing home. The open-ended questions are good given that it gives the respondents an opportunity to explain their ideas. The only weakness at this point is the failure to include other organizations.

Methods

The structured open-ended questions were used in the collection of data. Questions in education, professional experience, and intervals were the topical basis by which the respondents provided the end of life care. One of the main strengths of the study was that it was audiotape recorded and therefore can be easily traced and tracked. The application of the grounded theory provided a further analysis of the study.

Documentation/Sampling

The involvement of forty-two staff members is a good representation of the entire population. The inclusion of the nurses, administrators certified nursing assistants, housekeepers, and social workers represents various groups of people that are directly impacted by the study.

Procedural Approach

The approach adopted is quite convincing. The process used especially in sending the information helped in reaching the targeted respondents during the study.

Adherence to Ethical Standards

The paper prepared reasonable documents that requested for the respondent's acceptance during the study. The entire reason for the study was explained to the respondents. Their ethical documents were also prepared and approved before the real study was conducted.

Analytical and interpretative preciseness

The author presents a clear understanding of the concept. The paper shows an interlink of the existing literature review and the results. The study is also precise with regards to the analysis of the data collected from the respondents.

Implications of the study

With the constant increase in the number of elderly people who constantly move to nursing homes, there is no doubt that a study is necessary to deal with the problem. The study will help policymakers in adopting various mechanisms of analyzing the typology of comfort measures and how to reduce resident deaths.