Name
Capella University
NURS-FPX 4030 Making Evidence-Based Decisions
Prof. Name
Date
Gastroenteritis is an inflammation of the stomach and intestines, often caused by viruses or bacteria. It leads to symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain, making it an acute disease for millions of people. It accounts for approximately 179 million cases annually in the United States and 56,000–71,000 hospitalizations yearly (Moon et al., 2022). Effective management includes rehydration, medications, and dietary adjustments to restore health and prevent complications. This assessment focuses on helping new nurses engage in evidence-based practice (EBP) to provide the best care for patients with gastroenteritis. It highlights key strategies for locating credible research and collaborating effectively in a clinical setting. Additionally, it includes a list of reliable databases and resources to guide nurses in their search for evidence-based interventions.
Teaching nursing staff using communication techniques that may promote more research on gastroenteritis and acute gastroenteritis (AGE) is best used through active listening and encouragement for nurses, consistent guidance through clear, non-confusing language, and positive reinforcement. Instruct nurses to address concerns regarding their lack of knowledge about AGE and make them feel comfortable seeking help.
Such as saying that AGE can sometimes be puzzling, given different causes like Norovirus and C.difficile, so join efforts and look for the best and most effective assets based on scientific evidence. Teaching them exactly how to do it, such as using tools like PubMed or CINAHL to find credible proof, strengthens and develops professional competency (Rani et al., 2024). For example, guiding them to look for “AGE interventions” and how to narrow down the search helps them get good quality evidence. Praising their efforts, such as ‘I appreciate your initiative to research AGE as it will help your patient and enhance your clinical skills,’ encourages engagement in EBP and promotes a professional rapport.
AGE management through strategic collaborative approaches includes Literature searching and discussion sessions and the use of interdisciplinary resources in AGE management amongst nurses. Designating specific time that requires collaboration in conducting an evidence-based literature search, such as an online search using the Cochrane Library to assess rehydration schedules and changes in diet, will improve the team’s functionality and boost the nurse’s confidence in using database resources.
Organizing team meetings, such as distributing important information during the huddle, makes every nurse on shift agree with the appropriate care steps regarding patients with AGE and promotes knowledge sharing. Discussing AGE’s management or prevention with specialists such as infectious disease doctors or pharmacists who may offer insights about addressing norovirus or C.difficile contributes to patient-centric and interprofessional networks. These strategies enhance the ability of nurses to tap into resources to improve their clinical practice, given the central role of teamwork and knowledge sharing (Anselmann & Disque, 2022).
Ideal places to conduct research within the workplace settings include the hospital library, designated research or resource rooms, and quiet workstations equipped with computers. The hospital library gives access to a range of academic journals, books, and databases such as CINAHL, PubMed, and Cochrane Library, ensuring access to high-quality evidence-based resources (Brennan, 2021). Research rooms or resource centers often house hospital policies, clinical guidelines, and other essential organizational tools for diagnosis and care planning. Workstations in quiet areas enable nurses to quickly access online resources, institutional protocols, and patient care databases without distractions. These places are ideal because they ensure privacy, provide access to reliable sources, and promote focused learning, critical for making informed clinical decisions and enhancing professional competence.
The following online resources are for the nurses to learn about AGE and are written in the order of most useful to least useful. Firstly, PubMed offers a repository of peer-reviewed articles on AGE, including studies on Norovirus and C.difficile. Its advanced search filters allow nurses to refine results using clinical trials, reviews, or evidence-based guidelines. On second rank, the Cochrane Library gives systematic reviews and meta-analyses on managing AGE, such as hydration protocols and antimicrobial stewardship. Its focus on high-quality evidence makes it indispensable for clinical decision-making.
The third-ranked source is the BMC Gastroenterology, which is a journal containing peer-reviewed information on the prevention, diagnosis, and management of gastroenteritis. It is particularly useful for nurses to cover clinical studies, epidemiology, pathophysiology and advancement in treatment to improve patient care and results. On the fourth rank is The American Journal of Gastroenterology, which provided reviewed articles focusing on AGE data and its causes (Moon et al., 2022). Lastly, American Gastroenterological Association (AGA) is an organization that is dedicated to better disease management through research. It can be a good source for educational materials and management but for nurses through strategies.
The CRAAP (Currency, Relevance, Accuracy, Authoritativeness, and Purposeful) test is a valuable method to evaluate the credibility of online resources for any research topic, including gastroenteritis research (Kalidas, 2021). PubMed ranks the highest because it has a vast collection of peer-reviewed, current, and authoritative studies on the topic, including clinical trials and reviews. It helps nurses find current information on the causes of the viruses and make informed decisions for better patient outcomes. Followed by the Cochrane Library, the CRAAP test justifies its high-quality and relatable information that guides clinical decisions. For instance, antimicrobial guidelines, which are to treat infections caused by bacteria, fungi, or viruses through medication, but norovirus cannot be treated with antibiotics, can help nurses avert adverse incidents and educate patients timely.
Next, BMC Gastroenterology is a reliable resource due to updated and evidence-supported content authored by experts in the field, ensuring relevance to clinical practice. Further, AJG provides the latest, specialized, and accurate insights on the different aspects of the topic, making it a source that provides nurses with particularly reliable information on the subject. For instance, the economic burden of hospitalization or follow-up for AGE among adults can encourage nurses to provide better care provision. Lastly, AGA is a reliable resource for strategies to address the disease but it gives information on approach for the gastroenterologists and researchers but nurses can benefit by understanding the advanced treatment options.
In conclusion, EBP is essential for improving the management of gastroenteritis and AGE in clinical settings. Nurses can enhance their clinical decision-making skills by utilizing credible databases like PubMed, Cochrane Library, and BMC guidelines. Collaborative efforts and strategic research within the workplace further promote professional growth and patient-centered care. Leveraging these resources ensures nurses know what is necessary to deliver effective, evidence-based care.
Anselmann, V., & Disque, H. (2022). Nurses’ perspective on team learning in interprofessional teams. Nursing Open, 10(4). https://doi.org/10.1002/nop2.1461
Brennan, P. (2021, February 24). Nursing and libraries – powerful forces in motion. NLM Musings from the Mezzanine. https://nlmdirector.nlm.nih.gov/2021/02/24/nursing-and-libraries-powerful-forces-in-motion/
Kalidas, A. J. E. (2021). The effectiveness of CRAAP test in evaluating credibility of sources. International Journal of TESOL & Education, 1(2), 1–14. https://i-jte.org/index.php/journal/article/view/25
Kampf, G., Todt, D., Pfaender, S., & Steinmann, E. (2020). Persistence of coronaviruses on inanimate surfaces and their inactivation with biocidal agents. Journal of Hospital Infection, 104(3), 246–251. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhin.2020.01.022
Moon, R. C., Bleak, T. C., Rosenthal, N. A., Couturier, B., Hemmert, R., Timbrook, T. T., Brown, H., & Fang, F. C. (2022). Epidemiology and economic burden of acute infectious gastroenteritis among adults treated in outpatient settings in US health systems. Official Journal of the American College of Gastroenterology, 118(6), 1069–1079. https://doi.org/10.14309/ajg.0000000000002186
Rani, M., Podder, L., & Bhardwaj, G. (2024). Augmenting the spirit of research among nursing personnel: A narrative review. Journal of Family Medicine and Primary Care, 13(1), 10. https://doi.org/10.4103/jfmpc.jfmpc_77_23
