When examining any research article, it is important to critique it thoroughly. A thorough critique allows the reader an opportunity examine the study in detail. In this manner, the reader may make a thoughtful opinion regarding the actual scientific value of the study. This is particularly true in the fields of nursing and medicine. Currently, both fields continue to move towards evidence-based treatments. As a result, it is important to weigh the evidence that each study offers to the literature. In this critique, a qualitative study published in 2012 in the BMJ Open journal is examined. The article is entitled “Barriers and Bridges to infection prevention and Control: Results of a Qualitative Study of a Netherland’s Surgical Unit.” The authors are Backman, Marck, Krogman, Taylor, et al.
Problem Statement
The clinical problem explored by the authors involved the infection prevention and control practices on a surgical unit. The authors examined the policies and procedures related to these practices. Furthermore, they studied what barriers exist to prevent nursing staff from following the required infection prevention policies. The authors recognized that Infection prevention and control (IP&C) in the acute care environment is one of the most important issues inmodern healthcare” (Backman et al, 2012, p. 1).
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The principle of infection control is something that is becoming increasingly important in hospitals and healthcare settings. This is primarily because of the hardship and suffering it causes to the patient who acquires an infection whilst in hospital and also because of the cost it brings to our already under funded hospitals from increased stays and healthcare workers falling ill. The author ...
In the modern health care setting, hospital-acquired infections (HAIs) have become increasingly common. These HAIs lead to increased mortality and morbidity and burden the patients. Additionally, they place an economic strain on the health care system. The incidence of them is also alarming. Approximately seven percent of all hospitalized patients will develop a HAI (World Health Organization, n.d.).
While health care staff are familiar with the importance of IP&C, there may be barriers for them with regards to the appropriate policies and procedures.
Purpose and Research Questions
The authors clearly stated their purpose and research questions in the abstract. These were also reiterated in a concise and clear article summary on the first page. “The objectives of the study are to observe the overall work environment including infection prevention and control (IP&C) practices on the target surgical unit” (Backman et al, 2012, p. 1).
The authors broke the study down further due to the recognition that there are several aspects that influence the overall work environment. These additional questions included analyzing the hospital’s policies and procedures that were related to IP & C. The authors also examined the potential barriers, as well as the bridges, that practitioners experienced in the hospital units. The last part of the study focused on the collection of anonymous data that was related to IP & C. These questions were clearly stated in several areas of the article in a concise format that the reader could appreciate (Backman et al, 2012, p. 1).
Literature Review
This was a significant weakness of the article. The authors did not offer a separate literature review section. The authors did discuss the background of the issue in the “Introduction” of the article. While this is often done in articles, it actually creates a weakness in the article. It is preferred that a separate literature review section exists within the article. For the purpose of this review, the information discussed in the introductory section will be reviewed. The authors did explain the reason that this information requires further study. This includes the rise of multi-drug resistant organisms in various countries. Of interest in this section was the information about the Netherlands. The Netherlands and surrounding countries appear to have tremendous success in reducing the prevalence of drug-resistant organisms. However, the authors continue, the reasons for this are not clear. This was the reason for this study. The authors wanted to explore the potential reasons that these countries do not have the same incidence and prevalence of multi-drug resistant organisms.
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... content of the article to information that you have been studying in your course. As you write your article review, keep in mind ... Reference State the full bibliographic reference for the article you are reviewing (authors, title, journal name, volume, issue, year, page ... Does the article provide ways (a model, framework, guidelines, etc. ) to guide future thinking about the issue(s) the author is ...
Overall, six studies were discussed in the introduction. The study was published in 2012; however, many of the studies examined did not meet the typical five year limit. The study was begun in April, 2008; this does help to explain some of the older data. However, the articles did date back to 2002; this still did not meet the five-year cutoff. The incidence and prevalence of infectious diseases is a changing reality; this should have been considered by the authors. The articles were qualitative. They examined the relationship between policies and procedures and the outcomes of infection control. Qualitative articles were acceptable for this study.
While the authors gave the basic background information with regards to their decision to conduct the study, this created a serious weakness for the study. Individuals who read the study do not have sufficient background information to examine the results of the study in an adequate manner. The background information given by the authors was extremely weak. A true literature review section needed to be explored and to be offered by the authors.
Conceptual/Theoretical Framework
The authors clearly identified their framework for this study. According to the authors, “in this study, a socio-ecological approach on health systems informed this research design and provided a framework to better understand the complexity of implementing effective IP&C” (Backman et al, 2012, p. 2).
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The authors also offered a definition for the reader with regards to this framework. This, of course, is helpful to any reader who may not be familiar with a particular framework or concept. A socio-ecological framework allows a greater understanding of both the personal aspects and the environmental aspects related to a particular situation.
Furthermore, the framework allows an appreciation of how the personal and the environmental aspects interact with each other in various situations. An understanding of the interrelationship offers one a greater understanding of the system as a whole (Backman et al, 2012, p. 2).
This explanation and discussion of the framework was helpful and appreciated. This model has been shown to be quite effective for prevention (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2013).
Of particular interest in this section was Appendix 1. The authors listed the components of the socio-ecological framework in a detailed chart. The chart contained a thorough explanation of each part of the framework. These included “citizen science,” “engaged practice,” “place ethic,” and “adaptive learning and growth” (Backman et al, 2012, p. 11).
This article would serve quite well as background information for anyone engaging in a study from this theoretical perspective. The authors offer the reader a short introduction into this type of study design. For this reason, the article would be recommended.
Conclusion
Overall, this was an interesting article. It is important to recognize that there was a significant weakness in it. The lack of literature review leaves much to be desired with regard to the article. Despite this, the article would be recommended because of its framework discussion. This framework discussion allows the reader a greater understanding of the socio-ecological framework. This framework is an important one when examining prevention methods in health care.
References
Backman, C., Marck, P. B., Krogman, N., Taylor, G., Sales, A., Bonten, M. J., & Gigengack-Baars, A. C. (2012).
Barriers and bridges to infection prevention and control: results of a qualitative case study of a Netherlands’ surgical unit. BMJ open, 2(2), 1-11. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2013, December 27).
Socio-ecological model. Retrievedfrom:http://www.cdc.gov/violenceprevention/overview/social- ecologicalmodel.html World Health Organization. (n.d.).
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