Running head: REVIEW OF REFERENCES

Review of References Amy Lewis Ferris State University

REVIEW OF REFERENCES Abstract Reviewing references when researching can be a challenge, and when nurses have the need to search the literature for information and research, it is very important to be able to critically evaluate the references used. Finding appropriate information to use when making practice decisions in the profession of nursing requires the researcher to be confident in the information used. When an article is peer reviewed by experts in the profession, there is validation that the

article has been critically evaluated by applicable experts in the field and is using the most recent evidence-based knowledge. Using an article from a referenced journal with a high impact factor also will help to ensure the reviewer with an article that is well respected in the field and has been cited often.

REVIEW OF REFERENCES Review of References The importance of reviewing references about a particular subject within the field of nursing is to build a scientific foundation for the practice of nursing, as well as communicating the knowledge within the profession (Ferris State University, 2014). The information gained from reviewing references helps to guide and improve future practice decisions based on valid studies and reliable research that has been completed. Having the knowledge to be able to discern credible research studies from those that lack credibility, is essential to being able to utilize the latest evidence-based research and how it can impact nursing care. Credibility While many studies and much nursing research have been done to provide innovative

knowledge to improve the quality and safety of nursing practice, it is necessary to ensure that the studies and research are credible and ethically sound. When evaluating the results of a research study, it is essential to complete a critical analysis of the information presented in each article (NSNA article- printed out). To advance nursing knowledge, nursing studies presented through evidence based research can be transmitted through the profession in a way that improves patient outcomes (Nieswiadomy, 2012). Nursing knowledge gained through nursing specific research compels that this evidence be nursing based. Exploring articles and study results that are peer reviewed or scientifically refereed is important. The peer review articles have undergone a process that ensures these articles published represent the best knowledge presently available (Billington Library, 2013). This is accomplished by the submission of an article to a credible journal, which then sends it out to scholars in the nursing field seek their expert opinion. These experts evaluate how scholarly the quality of the article and its research is, as well as the relevance to the field of nursing and the

REVIEW OF REFERENCES appropriateness to that particular journal. According to Polit and Beck (2004), most nursing journals that publish research reports are refereed journals with a policy of basing publishing decisions on peer reviews. (p. 627). Polit and Beck (2004) define nursing research, as the systematic inquiry designed to develop knowledge about issues of importance to the nursing profession, including nursing practice, education, administration, and informatics (p. 3). There are several goals for conducting research in the field of nursing, one of which is to encourage the profession of nursing to practice within the guidelines of the most recent and accurate evidence based knowledge (Nieswiadomy, 2012). Other goals of nursing research are that it helps to ensure the credibility of the profession, maintains accountability for the practice of nursing, and helps to document that nursing is practiced in the most cost effective manner. Knowing how to evaluate the validity and importance of a research study is a skill to be mastered when reviewing such studies. The American Association of Critical-Care Nurses

(AACN) published an article with an evidence-leveling system that provides nurses with a tool to help determine if a particular article is based merely on manufacturers recommendations, the lowest level of evidence, or based on a higher level of evidence. The AACN defines the highest level of evidence, Level A, as meta-analysis of multiple controlled studies or meta-synthesis of qualitative studies with results that consistently support a specific action, intervention or treatment (Armola et al., 2009, p. 72). By defining the evidence level of the research study, this helps to determine the efficacy and value of the research and how it can be utilized within the scope of nursing practice. As a professional nurse, this evidence can then guide practice and help to improve the quality and safety of nursing care.

REVIEW OF REFERENCES Article One This article, which is peer reviewed, came from a nursing journal called Nursing 2006,

and is written by two nurses who both possess their Masters degrees and are instructors at Holy Name Hospital School of Nursing in Teaneck, N.J. (Coughlin & Parchinsky, 2006). The article is not reporting on a research study, nor does this journal generally publish research studies, so therefore no impact factor is available for this journal. When available for a journal, the impact factor is a measure of the frequency with which the average article in a journal is cited in a given period (Groesser, 2012, p. 624). This article on chest tube therapy is significant to the practice of nursing for the educational value it provides to the audience, who can then use the knowledge gained in the care of the patient with a chest tube. While the article by Coughlin and Parchinsky (2006) written about chest tube therapy is educational and provides the reader with some basic history of chest tube use, as well as rationales for use of these tubes, this article does not present a research study. At the end of the article, there is an opportunity for submission of test responses and to obtain continuing education credit. The article is educational, is written by two nurses who are educators, and would be considered a Level E on the evidence-leveling system (Armola et al., 2009). The AACN defines Level E as, theory-base evidence from expert opinion or multiple case reports (Armola et al., 2009, p. 72). This article provides foundational theory, and includes education on assessment and care of patients with chest tubes, but there is not any nursing research data provided which would support these recommendations. Article Two Authors Demir and Dramal produced an experimental research study in 2005 regarding

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the use of 100% oxygen, both before and after suctioning in a closed suction system, also known as hyperoxygenation. This peer reviewed article was published in the well-known Journal of Advanced Nursing, which has an impact factor of 1.32. Both authors are nurses who hold PhDs, and are professors in the School of Nursing at Ege University in Izmir, Turkey. According to the AACNs system of evidence-leveling, this research article would be considered a Level D. A Level D article is defined as, peer-reviewed professional organizational standards, with clinical studies to support recommendations (Armola et al., 2009, p. 72). The study included only one nonrandomized patient population of 30 patients, and was limited to patients who were mechanically ventilated and had arterial lines in place, but did not differentiate if there were other forms of therapy or monitoring devices present. This article by Demir and Dramal (2005) showed that it is not necessary to hyperoxygenate patients when using a closed suctioning system, in order to prevent a significant decline in either their partial oxygen pressure or in their oxygen saturation levels. Of clinical significance to nurses is the fact that Demir and Dramal (2005) report in this article that exposure to oxygen at a high fraction of inspired oxygen can actually result in significant damage to several organ systems, so it is best to use the minimal amount of oxygen necessary to maintain adequate oxygen saturation levels during closed system suctioning. This article regarding the use of 100% oxygen while suctioning a patient on mechanical ventilation is both educational and informative for nurses whom work with ventilated patients in their practice, and the higher level of nursing research provides data to guide care decisions. Significance to Nursing While there are many resources available to nurses who are reviewing the latest in

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research, quality and safety within the profession must remain the basis of nursing practice. The American Nurses Association (ANA) defines quality as the degree to which health services for patients, families, groups, communities, or populations increase the likelihood of desired outcomes and are consistent with current professional knowledge (2010, p. 67). Using the knowledge gained from current evidence-based research to guide their practice will help nurses to provide health care with the highest quality possible (Mitchell, 2008). According to the ANA, Standard 9, titled Evidence-Based Practice and Research, it is essential that a registered nurse use appropriate research and evidence to guide their practice (ANA, 2010, p. 51). Standard 10, titled Quality of Practice, states that nurses should contribute to quality nursing practice through analyzing quality data to identify opportunities for improving nursing practice (ANA, 2010, p. 52). There are also many levels of research that a nurse may participate in depending on their level of education and area of practice. The communication of the evidence based research findings is also important for the advancement of the profession of nursing. Additionally, this will allow an increased number of nurses to include the most recent and credible research findings into their practice and employ these findings applicably to their clients problem or situation (Majid et al., 2011). Nurses must use their analytical skills to critically evaluate each nursing research article to determine the usefulness regarding their distinct practice. Judicious clinical decisions, which are based on the best research evidence available, as well as a nurses clinical experience, help to steer the practice of nursing towards evidence based nursing (Nieswiadomy, 2012). Patients values and individual needs should also be considered when instituting evidence based nursing care, and the experienced nurse who possesses clinical expertise will be able to know when it is appropriate to diverge from strictly evidence based practice (Cronenwett et al., 2007).

REVIEW OF REFERENCES By utilizing research articles that contain nursing research included in a high level of evidence, safety within the nursing practice could be improved. According to Mitchell (2008), the Institute of Medicine defines safety as, the prevention of harm to patients (p. 2). Safety in nursing involves a care delivery system that prevents errors and learns from the errors that do occur (Mitchell, 2008, p. 2). By following the most current nursing research, the goal is to improve the safety of nursing care. Nursing research seeks to prevent the frequency of medical errors through communicating the most recent and valid evidence to support safe nursing care. The sources should be critically evaluated to determine the credibility and reliability related to the quality and safety within the profession of nursing. Conclusion Nursing research, when performed ethically and thoroughly, can be utilized by the nursing profession to improve patient outcomes through providing high quality and safe nursing care. It is the nurses responsibility to validate the researchs reliability and credibility through critically analyzing the literature. By examining two articles, the AACNs levels of evidence were described as a way to further explore how various types of nursing research can affect patient care. Communication of evidence base practice throughout the profession is essential to

sharing current nursing research. It is the nurses duty and responsibility to provide high quality and safe care to every patient, and nursing research aims to continue to expand the evidence based knowledge that each nurse possesses.

REVIEW OF REFERENCES References American Nurses Association (2010). Nursing: Scope and Standards of Practice. 2nd edition. Silver Spring, MD: Nursesbooks.org. Armola, R. R., Bourgault, A. M., Halm, M. A., Board, R. M., Bucher, L., Harrington, L.,

Medina, J. (2009, August). Evidence-based practice AACN levels of evidence: What's new? Critical Care Nurse, 29(4), 70-73. Coughlin, A. M. & Parchinsky, C. (2006). Go with the flow of chest tube therapy. Nursing, 36(3), 36-42. Cronenwett, L., Sherwood, G., Barnsteiner, J., Disch, J., Johnson, J., Mitchell, P., ... Warren, J. (2007). Quality and safety education for nurses. Nursing outlook, 55(3), 122131. doi:10.1016/j.outlook.2007.02.006 Demir, F. & Dramali, A. (2005). Requirement for 100% oxygen before and after closed suction. Journal of Advanced Nursing, 51(3), 245-251. Ferris State University (2014, Spring), NURS 350 Research in nursing [Course Syllabus]. Retrieved from https://fsulearn.ferris.edu/bbcswebdav/pid-454933-dt-content-rid2851895_1/courses/12928.201401/NURS350%20syllabusMETROspring2014.ls.pdf Finding Full-Text, Peer Reviewed Nursing Articles (2013, September 24). In Billington Library. Retrieved from http://jccc.libguides.com/content.php?pid=276359&sid=2277251Polit, D.F. & Beck, C.T. (2004). Nursing Research: Principles and Methods. Philadelphia, PA: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. Groesser, S. N. (2012, October 8). Dynamics of journal impact factors. Systems Research and Behavioral Science, 29(6), 624-644. doi:10.1002/sres.2142

REVIEW OF REFERENCES Majid, S., Foo, S., Luyt, B., Xue, Z., Yin-Leng, T., Yun-Ke, C., & Mokhtar, I. A. (2011). Adopting evidence-based practice in clinical decision making: Nurses' perceptions, knowledge, and barriers. Journal Of The Medical Library Association, 99(3), 229-236. doi:10.3163/1536-5050.99.3.010

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Mitchell, P. H. (2008). Patient Safety and Quality: An Evidence-based Handbook for Nurses (pp. 1-4). Rockville, MD: Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. Retrieved from http://www.ahrq.gov/professionals/cliniciansproviders/resources/nursing/resources/nurseshdbk/MitchellP_DPSQ.pdf