Paper
Wednesday, July 21, 2004
Evaluate and Synthesize the External Evidence: Creating Integrated Tables
Gertrude Kent, RN, BSN, Maine Medical Center, Portland, ME, USA
Prior to applying research in practice in this nursing department, the findings from two or more studies are synthesized into integrated tables and the level of evidence is determined. Although there is limited research in many areas of nursing practice, it is still recommended that the findings of two corroborative studies be used prior to implementing a new procedure or changing current practice. Even in areas where there appears to be a body of work, the outcome variables of interest may be different or measured in very different ways. Integrated tables assist the practicing nurse in identifying gaps in the external evidence, supporting a future study, and in determining if there is enough evidence to change a policy or procedure. Historically, patients have been kept in bed for over six hours to prevent bleeding following a coronary intervention procedure. Nurses on a coronary interventional unit reviewed the external evidence on optimal duration of bedrest after a femoral artery puncture. This presenter will highlight the variables of interest used in the synthesis of the research and provide examples of integrated tables that determined the future direction of this evidence-based project.
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Sigma Theta Tau International
July 21, 2004