Hand Hygiene Strategies in Medical Institutions Essay
The article “Impact of a team and leaders-directed strategy to improve nurses’ adherence to hand hygiene guidelines” depicts the results of a quantitative study concerning the use of a hand hygiene strategy. Huis et al. (2013) carry out a cluster-randomized trial that focuses on the effectiveness of a team and leaders-directed strategy. It is possible to note that the article in question is relevant and can be used in other studies associated with hand hygiene. Hand Hygiene Strategies in Medical Institutions Essay
The Analysis of Title, Abstract
The title of the article is brief and detailed at the same time. It reflects the subject matter of the research and enables the reader to grasp the major point of the study. The abstract briefly highlights the major points of the article and provides data on the participants, methodology, findings, and conclusions, which makes it an effective abstract. The reader can easily evaluate the relevance of the article to particular research.Hand Hygiene Strategies in Medical Institutions Essay
The Analysis of Introduction, Statement of The Problem, Research Questions, Theoretical Framework, Literature Review
The introduction is quite effective as it provides the necessary background for the study. Huis et al. (2013) provide some data on the relevance of the research and note that insufficient hand hygiene at healthcare facilities is associated with a high rate of infections acquired by patients. Schweon, Edmonds, Kirk, Rowland, and Acosta (2013) also reveal the correlation between hand hygiene and the rate of infections.
Sickbert-Bennett et al. (2016) claim that hand hygiene compliance rates are still quite low although various strategies to address the issue have been employed. The problem is clearly stated in the article’s introduction, and Huis et al. (2013) manage to justify its practical significance. At that, the authors fail to provide a set of research questions, which could help the reader to evaluate the effectiveness of the methodology used.Hand Hygiene Strategies in Medical Institutions Essay
Nonetheless, Huis et al. (2013) provide their hypothesis. Thus, the researchers do not put any questions but describe the expected outcomes of the research. The purpose of the study is to examine the impact of social influence on the effectiveness of a hand hygiene strategy. The major weaknesses of the article are the absence of a clearly outlined literature review and theoretical framework. The authors refer to other studies throughout the introduction, as well as the entire paper, but a literature review section could make the article more substantial. The sources used are mainly recent (published in the 2000-2010s).Hand Hygiene Strategies in Medical Institutions Essay
However, it could be beneficial to use sources published between 2007 and 2012. This would make the article more relevant and up-to-date. It is also unclear which theoretical framework is guiding the study. As for defining key terms, the authors provide the necessary definitions, but it could be more effective to provide these definitions so that the reader could easily find them. Instead, the definitions are simply given within the introduction (without any hints such as the use of paragraphs or highlighting).
The Analysis of Methods, Analysis, Results
Huis et al. (2013) implement an original study involving the use of a cluster-randomized trial that is associated with the randomization of groups rather than individuals. The methodology involves the use of observation as the primary data collection tool. The research design is consistent with the purpose of the research as the researchers focused on compliance with hand hygiene practices. It is noteworthy that other studies are also associated with the use of observation as a data collection method (Stewardson et al., 2016; Randle, Firth, & Vaughan, 2012).Hand Hygiene Strategies in Medical Institutions Essay
The baseline data were obtained before the implementation of the strategy. The strategies were implemented for six months. Other measurements were carried out right after the delivery of the strategy and six months later (Huis et al., 2013). One of the weaknesses of the sections in question is the absence of a clear outline of variables both dependent and independent. The dependent variable is the compliance with hand hygiene regulations and practices (more specifically, the quantity of realized opportunities for appropriate hand hygiene). Nonetheless, this is not clearly stated.Hand Hygiene Strategies in Medical Institutions Essay
