NUR 590 Evidence-Based Practice Project Proposal: Evaluation Plan

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NUR 590 Evidence-Based Practice Project Proposal: Evaluation Plan – Step-by-Step Guide

The first step before starting to write the NUR 590 Evidence-Based Practice Project Proposal: Evaluation Plan, it is essential to understand the requirements of the assignment. The first step is to read the assignment prompt carefully to identify the topic, the length and format requirements. You should go through the rubric provided so that you can understand what is needed to score the maximum points for each part of the assignment. 

It is also important to identify the audience of the paper and its purpose so that it can help you determine the tone and style to use throughout. You can then create a timeline to help you complete each stage of the paper, such as conducting research, writing the paper, and revising it to avoid last-minute stress before the deadline. After identifying the formatting style to be applied to the paper, such as APA, you should review its use, such as writing citations and referencing the resources used. You should also review how to format the title page and the headings in the paper.

How to Research and Prepare for NUR 590 Evidence-Based Practice Project Proposal: Evaluation Plan

The next step in preparing for your paper is to conduct research and identify the best sources to use to support your arguments. Identify the list of keywords from your topic using different combinations. The first step is to visit the university library and search through its database using the important keywords related to your topic. You can also find books, peer-reviewed articles, and credible sources for your topic from PubMed, JSTOR, ScienceDirect, SpringerLink, and Google Scholar. Ensure that you select the references that have been published in the last words and go through each to check for credibility. Ensure that you obtain the references in the required format, for example, in APA, so that you can save time when creating the final reference list. 

You can also group the references according to their themes that align with the outline of the paper. Go through each reference for its content and summarize the key concepts, arguments and findings for each source. You can write down your reflections on how each reference connects to the topic you are researching about. After the above steps, you can develop a strong thesis that is clear, concise and arguable. Next you should create a detailed outline of the paper so that it can help you to create headings and subheadings to be used in the paper. Ensure that you plan what point will go into each paragraph.

How to Write the Introduction for NUR 590 Evidence-Based Practice Project Proposal: Evaluation Plan

The introduction of the paper is the most crucial part as it helps to provide the context of your work, and will determine if the reader will be interested to read through to the end. You should start with a hook, which will help capture the reader’s attention. You should contextualize the topic by offering the reader a concise overview of the topic you are writing about so that they may understand its importance. You should state what you aim to achieve with the paper. The last part of the introduction should be your thesis statement, which provides the main argument of the paper.

How to Write the Body for NUR 590 Evidence-Based Practice Project Proposal: Evaluation Plan

The body of the paper helps you to present your arguments and evidence to support your claims. You can use headings and subheadings developed in the paper’s outline to guide you on how to organize the body. Start each paragraph with a topic sentence to help the reader know what point you will be discussing in that paragraph. Support your claims using the evidence conducted from the research, ensure that you cite each source properly using in-text citations. You should analyze the evidence presented and explain its significance and how it connects to the thesis statement. You should maintain a logical flow between each paragraph by using transition words and a flow of ideas.

How to Write the In-text Citations for NUR 590 Evidence-Based Practice Project Proposal: Evaluation Plan

In-text citations help the reader to give credit to the authors of the references they have used in their works. All ideas that have been borrowed from references, any statistics and direct quotes must be referenced properly. The name and date of publication of the paper should be included when writing an in-text citation. For example, in APA, after stating the information, you can put an in-text citation after the end of the sentence, such as (Smith, 2021). If you are quoting directly from a source, include the page number in the citation, for example (Smith, 2021, p. 15). Remember to also include a corresponding reference list at the end of your paper that provides full details of each source cited in your text. An example paragraph highlighting the use of in-text citations is as below:

The integration of technology in nursing practice has significantly transformed patient care and improved health outcomes. According to Smith (2021), the use of electronic health records (EHRs) has streamlined communication among healthcare providers, allowing for more coordinated and efficient care delivery. Furthermore, Johnson and Brown (2020) highlight that telehealth services have expanded access to care, particularly for patients in rural areas, thereby reducing barriers to treatment.

How to Write the Conclusion for NUR 590 Evidence-Based Practice Project Proposal: Evaluation Plan

When writing the conclusion of the paper, start by restarting your thesis, which helps remind the reader what your paper is about. Summarize the key points of the paper, by restating them. Discuss the implications of your findings and your arguments. End with a call to action that leaves a lasting impact on the reader or recommendations.

How to Format the Reference List for NUR 590 Evidence-Based Practice Project Proposal: Evaluation Plan

The reference helps provide the reader with the complete details of the sources you cited in the paper. The reference list should start with the title “References” on a new page. It should be aligned center and bolded, in sentence sentence care. The references should be organized in an ascending order alphabetically and each should have a hanging indent. If a source has no author, it should be alphabetized by the title of the work, ignoring any initial articles such as “A,” “An,” or “The.” If you have multiple works by the same author, list them in chronological order, starting with the earliest publication. 

Each reference entry should include specific elements depending on the type of source. For books, include the author’s last name, first initial, publication year in parentheses, the title of the book in italics, the edition (if applicable), and the publisher’s name. For journal articles, include the author’s last name, first initial, publication year in parentheses, the title of the article (not italicized), the title of the journal in italics, the volume number in italics, the issue number in parentheses (if applicable), and the page range of the article. For online sources, include the DOI (Digital Object Identifier) or the URL at the end of the reference. An example reference list is as follows:

References

Johnson, L. M., & Brown, R. T. (2020). The role of telehealth in improving patient outcomes. Journal of Nursing Care Quality, 35(2), 123-130. https://doi.org/10.1097/NCQ.0000000000000456

Smith, J. A. (2021). The impact of technology on nursing practice. Health Press.

NUR 590 Evidence-Based Practice Project Proposal: Evaluation Plan Instructions

In 750-1,000 words, develop an evaluation plan to be included in your final evidence-based practice project proposal. You will use the evaluation plan in the Topic 8 assignment, during which you will synthesize the various aspects of your project into a final paper detailing your evidence-based practice project proposal.

Provide the following criteria in the evaluation, making sure it is comprehensive and concise:

  1. Discuss the expected outcomes for your evidence-based practice project proposal.
  2. Review the various data collection tools associated with your selected research design and select one data collection tool that would be effective for your research design. Explain how this tool is valid, reliable, and applicable.
  3. Select a statistical test for your project and explain why it is best suited for the tool you choose.
  4. Describe what methods you will apply to your data collection tool and how the outcomes will be measured and evaluated based on the tool you selected.
  5. Propose strategies that will be taken if outcomes do not provide positive or expected results.
  6. Describe the plans to maintain, extend, revise, and discontinue a proposed solution after implementation.

Refer to the “Evidence-Based Practice Project Proposal – Assignment Overview” document for an overview of the evidence-based practice project proposal assignments. Check NUR 590 Topic 7 DQ 1 Propose strategies for disseminating your evidence-based practice project proposal.

You are required to cite a minimum of five peer-reviewed sources to complete this assignment. Sources must be published within the last 5 years and appropriate for the assignment criteria and nursing content.

Complete the “APA Writing Checklist” to ensure that your paper adheres to APA style and formatting criteria and general guidelines for academic writing. Include the completed checklist as an appendix at the end of your paper.

Prepare this assignment according to the guidelines found in the APA Style Guide, located in the Student Success Center.

This assignment uses a rubric. Please review the rubric prior to beginning the assignment to become familiar with the expectations for successful completion.

You are required to submit this assignment to LopesWrite. A link to the LopesWrite technical support articles is located in Class Resources if you need assistance.

NUR 590 Evidence-Based Practice Project Proposal: Evaluation Plan Example

An evaluation plan refers to a structured and systematic approach to assess a project’s effectiveness and impact. The evaluation plan outlines the different methods and strategies that will be used to collect, analyze, and report data on the performance and outcomes of the focus project. It is also used to show whether the project outcomes were met. The focus project entails implementing compliance with Chlorhexidine Gluconate (CHG) body wash to reduce the rate of hospital-associated infections (HAIs) in an institution. This evaluation plan describes the expected outcomes for the evidence-based practice project proposal, reviews data collection tools associated with the research design, includes a statistical test for the project, describes the methods applied for data collection, strategies to be used if outcomes do not provide positive or expected outcomes, and the plan to maintain, extend, revise, and discontinue the proposed solution following implementation.

Project Expected Outcomes

The proposed evidence-based practice project proposal has various expected outcomes. First, the project aims to achieve a significant decrease in the rate of HAIs reported among adult hospitalized patients in the institution. According to Knobloch et al. (2021), implementing daily CHG bath wash has effectively reduced HAIs. Similarly, this project is expected to reduce HAIs in the institution. Additionally, the project is expected to improve the compliance rates with CHG body wash protocols among healthcare personnel and patients in the institution.

Other expected project outcomes include the reduction in healthcare costs. Healthcare operating costs are increased significantly by treating HAIs. Therefore, the reduction in HAI incidences should also reduce the associated costs. The project is expected to enhance patient outcomes related to infections and the related effects, such as length of hospital `stay and reduced mortality rates.

Data collection tools

The project will employ a quantitative pre- and post-intervention quantitative study design. There are different data collection tools associated with the quantitative research study design. Duckett (2021) notes that data collection tools for quantitative research study design include questionnaires, surveys, chart reviews, medical record audits, compliance logs, and interviews. Since the study entails assessing compliance with CHG body wash protocols and reducing HAI rates, the primary data collection tool will be the compliance audit tool. The tool is valid and reliable due to the nature of the project and the expected primary outcomes. Additionally, using compliance logs applies to assessing compliance with CHG body wash in the institution since it directly measures adherence to the intervention and captures all the factors related to compliance since it is comprehensive. Additionally, the tool will be used to assess self-reported compliance and compare it with observed compliance.

Statistical Test for the Project

The selected statistical test for this project is an independent sample t-test. The t-test statistical test compares the means of two independent groups (Lee, 2022). The statistical tests will be used to compare compliance rates before and after the implementation of the intervention. In addition, the test will help determine if a statistically significant difference exists in compliance rates between the pre- and post-intervention periods.

Methods Applied to the Data Collection Tool

The project team will ensure the relevant staff is trained as needed to ensure that the data collection tool is used effectively and accurately to evaluate the intervention. The nurses will be trained on the accurate use of compliance log tools. The primary focus of the training will be accurately recording the compliance with CHG body wash protocols. Based on the tool, the outcome will be measured and evaluated by calculating the compliance rates by dividing the number of compliant instances by the total number of compliance opportunities. Vrbin (2022) notes that a t-test compares outcomes in pre-post intervention samples. Similarly, the t-test samples will also compare compliance rates before and after the intervention.

Strategies for Non-Responsive Outcomes

Despite employing the data collection tools and methods mentioned above, the outcomes may not provide the expected/positive results. Therefore, it is essential to identify strategies for handling non-responsive outcomes. The strategy that will be used for non-responsive outcomes includes reviewing the current CHG body wash protocols and identifying reasons for compliance rates. Moreover, staff and patients may need additional training and education on the intervention in case of non-responsive outcomes.

Plans to Maintain, Extend, Revise and Discontinue the Proposed Solution

According to Dang et al. (2021), as part of the evaluation plan, it is crucial to identify the steps to be followed in maintaining, extending, revising, or discontinuing the proposed intervention solution. The proposed compliance to CHG body wash protocols will be maintained by continuously monitoring compliance rates and HAI incidences in the institution, thus sustaining sustainable improvement. In addition, the solution will be extended by sharing the successful strategies and proposing their use in other departments and units in the institution. The solution can also be revised using staff feedback and evidence/best practices to update protocols. Finally, the solution may be discontinued by withdrawing the intervention if it proves ineffective.

Conclusion

The evidence-based practice project is expected to effectively implement compliance with CHG body wash protocols to reduce HAIs. Based on the evaluation findings, the intervention will be adopted into the current routine. The evaluation plan has been developed to provide valuable insights into the effectiveness of implementing CHG body wash in reducing HAIs in the institution. Therefore, further steps, including maintenance and extension of the proposed solution, will depend on the evaluation results.  

References

Dang, D., Dearholt, S. L., Bissett, K., Ascenzi, J., & Whalen, M. (2021). Johns Hopkins evidence-based practice for nurses and healthcare professionals: Model and guidelines. (4th Ed.). Sigma Theta Tau.

Duckett L. J. (2021). Quantitative Research Excellence: Study Design and Reliable and Valid Measurement of Variables. Journal of Human Lactation: Official Journal of International Lactation Consultant Association, 37(3), 456–463. https://doi.org/10.1177/08903344211019285

Lee, S. W. (2022). Methods for testing statistical differences between groups in medical research: statistical standard and guideline of Life Cycle Committee. Life Cycle, 2. https://doi.org/10.54724/lc.2022.e1

Knobloch, M. J., Musuuza, J. S., McKinley, L., Zimbric, M. L., Baubie, K., Hundt, A. S., Carayon, P., Hagle, M., Pfeiffer, C. D., Galea, M. D., Crnich, C. J., & Safdar, N. (2021). Implementing daily chlorhexidine gluconate (CHG) bathing in VA settings: The human factors engineering to prevent resistant organisms (HERO) project. American Journal of Infection Control, 49(6), 775–783. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ajic.2020.12.012

Vrbin C. M. (2022). Parametric or nonparametric statistical tests: Considerations when choosing the most appropriate option for your data. Cytopathology: Official Journal of the British Society for Clinical Cytology, 33(6), 663–667. https://doi.org/10.1111/cyt.13174