The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of a seven step Evidence-Based Practice (EBP) on reducing catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTI). This paper will discuss both the strengths and weaknesses about this study as well as the authors effectiveness in documenting the results. While the strengths of this study and article are the positive results and reduction in CAUTI, the author’s use of a verbose and complicated writing style left me struggling to understand her message. An effective author knows both their audience and communicates in a clear, concise manner. While the terminology can be complex to someone who is not an expert in that field, it can be needlessly so. Additionally, in the last paragraph, …show more content…
She started her study by defining her intent and searching for comparable studies to determine whether this would be a beneficial study and practice. This offers both reference material and evidence that this hypothesis has been supported by repeatable studies as is necessary in the Scientific Method.
Strengths
The study was effective for two reasons. First, she was able to scientifically prove a reduction in CAUTI as evidenced by the statistical analysis both pre and post introduction of the study at her facility. According to Magers, CAUTI rates declined 33%. (Magers MSN, BSN, RN-BC, 2013) The author correctly reports that any decrease is a positive outcome, both for the patient, and the facility. Additionally, as the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services no longer reimburses for hospital-acquired conditions, this is a positive outcome in reduction of costs for the facility. …show more content…
The author’s message gets lost in her writing. Were I merely an interested reader rather than a student completing a required assignment for a grade, I would have set this article aside after the first few paragraphs. In order for this study to have value, it needs to be read by those in the field that may take this to their facilities to attempt implementation. Additionally, the author lists the limitations of the study to include that they did not evaluate individual nurse subjectivity nor did they assemble data on the duration of catheterization for each patient. They also did not review patient charts to determine causative factors why a Physician chose to not discontinue the catheter despite the protocol. One could argue that these limitations could impact both the successfulness of the study, as well as the