Summary of the Research Article
Pressure ulcer prevention and management create a particular interest in medical research, as it is an essential aspect of nutrition and hydration research. It is for this reason that Carter, Lecko and a team of dietitians (2018) decided to conduct a systematic review to come up with practical resources. Carter and Lecko hope that these practical resources will support clinical teams, which are keen on improving the nutritional aspect of those individuals who are at risk of pressure ulcers. According to Carter and Lecko (2018), the role of nutrition and hydration in pressure ulcer prevention and management is not appreciated. This is in spite of the insistence by the National Institute of Health and Care Excellence (NICE, 2014) that individuals with nutritional deficiencies are at a greater risk of contracting pressure ulcers. Moreover, the US National Pressure Ulcer Advisory Panel (NPUAP), Pan Pacific Pressure Injury Alliance (PPPIA) and European Pressure Ulcer Advisory Panel (EPUAP) have issued international guidelines on pressure ulcers. In essence, these organizations advocate for screening and nutritional assessment to determine the risk of pressure ulcers in an effort to reduce pressure ulcer cases.
Reasoning Process
Going by the checklist provided by Bernd, du Prel and Blettner (2009), article followed every step to ensure that research met all the requirements of the scientific design. The research comprised of the question requiring answers, study population, unit observation, measuring techniques and the type of the study. The researchers first identified the study design that would help them to validate and make the conclusions reliable (Polit, & Beck, 2017). In essence, a study design helped the researchers to outline the objectives, which then allows for the completion of every activity within a specified period. Moreover, a study design determines the reliability and quality of the conclusions, which is the primary drive in conducting research studies. As it is, the conclusion is critical as it determines whether the research study has been a success or not. For this reason, the researchers planned, conducted, documented, analyzed, and published the research findings (Bernd, du Prel and Blettner, 2009).
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The purpose of this study was to advocate for the use of evidence-based practice in hydration and nutrition making this study exploratory. The researchers worked in groups where they held discussions to determine the evidence-based resources that they would use for the study within a specified timeline. For instance, the researchers agreed to use the British Dietetic Malnutrition Factsheet (2015) a pre-existing resource, which would provide useful tips for malnourished or obese.
Examine the Findings
The peer-based approach to the study proved to be efficient as they provided the dietitians with an opportunity to work with NHS to help improve the nutrition for pressure ulcer patients. Moreover, the use of the peer-based approach helped dietitians to share ideas, which were then used as the starting point for conducting public education on pressure ulcer. Furthermore, the peer-based approach offered a platform for those individuals with interest in starting a dietitian’s forum to further their interest. The researchers established that an independent NHS improvement team helped the peer groups to deliver the programs within the set timelines. According to the article, this success was possible as the NHS improvement team provided work focus and the scope of the study. In spite of all these important findings, the article has not managed to specify how the researchers will ensure that the implementation of the program will be sustainable.
In future, the researchers should focus on providing useful tips that address individual’s dietary needs instead of on focusing on a cohort of individuals. As it is, every individual has nutritional needs, which are determined by their gender, age, cultural affiliation, religion, and metabolic rate. Instead of generalizing the dietary intake, the researchers should then focus on individual patients.
How Researchers Formulated their Conclusion
The research study has established a relationship between overall eating patterns and the risk for chronic disease such as pressure ulcer. The researchers concluded that people get their nutritional needs from eating foods in varied combinations as opposed to eating foods offering single nutrient. According to the researchers, an individual’s overall eating pattern was seen to have interactive and cumulative effects on health outcomes. This finding contrasted with the previous editions of Dietary Guidelines, which focused only on specific dietary components such as nutrients, and foods. In essence, an individual’s overall eating pattern can be tailored to match that individual’s preferences, which will then enable Americans to choose the most suitable diet. The 2015-2020 captures these recommendations which when put to use will help prevent and manage pressure ulcer cases. In order to further this topic, the researchers could have investigated the rate at which patients adhere to the provided dietary and hydration recommendations aimed at managing pressure ulcers.
References
Bernd, B. du Prel, J. B., Blettner M. (2009). Study design in medical research: Part 2 of a series on the evaluation of scientific publications. Dtsch Arztebl Int., 106 (11), 184-9.
Carter, r., & Lecko, C. (2018). Supporting evidence-based practice in nutrition and hydration. Wounds UK, 14 (3), 18-21.
Polit, D. F., & Beck, C. T. (2017). Nursing research: Generating and assessing evidence for nursing practice (10th ed.). Philadelphia, PA: Wolters Kluwer.
