NURS-FPX4030 Assessment 2 Determining the Credibility of Evidence and Resources Example 2 Determining the Credibility of Evidence and Resources

NURS-FPX4030 Assessment 2 Determining the Credibility of Evidence and Resources Example 2

Determining the Credibility of Evidence and Resources

Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is a significant health issue associated with blood clot formation in deep veins, typically in the legs. As a critical, potentially life-threatening condition, DVT needs to be diagnosed urgently, and evidence-based management needs to be instituted to avoid complications such as pulmonary embolism (PE). The presentation of DVT may include symptoms of swelling, pain, warmth, and redness in the affected limb, but it may be asymptomatic sometimes.

As McLendon and Attia (2020) highlight, the risks of DVT include immobility, surgery, trauma, pregnancy, hormonal contraceptives, and underlying medical conditions such as cancer or thrombophilia. Lower limb deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is estimated to transpire in a single case per 1000 individuals or 80 cases per 100,000 people annually (Huang et al., 2022). This paper will cover the diagnosis of DVT through an evidence-based approach, the criteria for determining the authenticity of the resources, the analysis of credibility and relevance of the evidence within the context of DVT, the introduction of the EBP model and the necessity to implement credible evidence within the EBP model.

Criteria for Determining Credibility of Resources

The reliability of the information must be assessed; nurses must engage in critical evaluation when they use resources like journal articles and websites. It promotes the development of critical thinking skills regarding the credibility, accuracy, validity, timeliness, perspective, or bias of sources of information (Stewart, 2023). Key criteria to consider include:

Author Expertise: Determine the author’s background and credentials in deep vein thrombosis management. Research for credentials like degrees relevant to the area, certifications, and clinical experience (Danford et al., 2021). Journalists and publications from reliable health organizations are the most preferred resources involving contributions from experts in the field.
Source Credibility: Analyze the reliability and credibility of the sources. Go for resources from searchable databases such as CINAHL or PubMed because they are broadly recognized or affiliated with reputable health institutions. Attempt to establish that the source has produced trustworthy and research-based content.
Currency: Through the timelines, check out the accuracy of the information. Make sure to consider only recent publications to have the information reflect current technologies, recent advancements, and best possible practices. Ensure to revisit websites for updates and maintenance; consistency and reliability are necessary to evaluate whether the data supplied is relevant and current.
Objectivity: Evaluating the objectivity of the info given. Look for a balanced discussion of evidence that expresses dispase/ promotion. An unbiased resource should not avoid mentioning its limitations and should provide alternative viewpoints, ensuring unbiased outcomes for management.
Methodology: Take a closer look at the research methods used to gather and analyze data. In research articles, be critical of the methods used and ensure they are of the requisite quality and rightfully applied, such as the study design, data collection process, and statistics. For websites, if they are transparent about sourcing and method, it is possible to review the reliability of the information provided.
Peer Review: Ascertain whether the resource has been subjected to peer review, a rigorous evaluation procedure wherein subject matter experts assess the content’s quality and validity before its dissemination (Cuker et al., 2022). The credibility of peer-reviewed articles is generally regarded as higher.

Through this process, nurses can make the right choice among the credible resources for applying evidence-based decision-making in management; subsequently, they can improve patient care outcomes and raise the standard of healthcare delivery.

Analysis of Credibility and Relevance of Evidence

In managing deep vein thrombosis (DVT), determining the reliability and relevance of evidence and resources is a critical task that requires selecting informative and practical materials. Specific resources pertinent to DVT include:

Journal Article: “A Study on the Effectiveness of Deep Venous Thromboembolism in Total Hip Arthroplasty” by Manfredi et al. (2021). This publication appears in Acta Ortopédica Brasileira (AOB), a well-known peer-reviewed journal. The authors are associated with well-known medical institutions, thus showing they know the subject. The publication date determines currency, and the retrospective methodology applied renders the study credible.
The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) 2022 website on DVT information. Written by an agency of the government that focuses on prevention and medical research, the NHLBI website is the most official and reliable of all websites. The content is consequently updated to exhibit the latest evidence-based and practice research in DVT management. Also, the facts given are understandable and are supported by scientific evidence, which increases their authenticity.
Clinical Practice Guideline: The American College of Chest Physicians (ACCP) clinical guidelines on the prevention and management of venous thromboembolism in critically ill patients and surgical patients (2020) (De Palo, 2023). The ACCP is the main professional organization, and they have developed these guidelines that experts in the field rigorously review. They give research-based recommendations specific to surgical patients; hence, their findings are directly applied. The guidelines introduce and review the standard DVT prevention and management approaches influenced by current research and the latest best practices.

Through the analysis of these resources from the effectiveness and relevance points of view, nurses grow confident in applying evidence-based approaches to their clinical practice, and hence, the DVT outcomes improve.

Evidence-Based Practice Model: The Iowa Model

In addressing the prevention of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) in our patient scenario, the Iowa Model of Evidence-Based Practice offers a structured approach to incorporating credible evidence into clinical decision-making (Hanrahan et al., 2019):

Develop a clinical question: What is the strongest method to avoid DVT in this particular case, hip surgery for this patient?
Search for evidence: Employ credible sources such as the JAMA article, NHLB website, and ACCP guidelines, stating only selected data according to the patient’s age, medical history, and surgery type.
Appraise the evidence: Evaluate these resources according to the criteria, especially their reliability and relevance for the particular patient case.
Integrate the evidence: Combining clinical expertise, evidence-based medicine, and what suits the patient best makes it possible to develop a personalized treatment schedule that would include risks and benefits for different options, such as early mobilization and compression stockings, as advised by the ACCP and JAMA recommendations.
Evaluate the outcome: Evaluate changes in the patient’s reactions to interventions implemented several times and alter the plan if necessary when new information about the patient is received or their progress is assessed.

By the Iowa Model of Evidence-Based Practice, nurses can apply evidence in the form of credible sources to their treatment plan, providing the best patient care and preventing DVT.

Conclusion

It is essential to have a method based on solid evidence to manage deep vein thrombosis effectively. Nurses ensure top-notch patient care by carefully assessing the reliability and relevance of resources. Nurses can confidently choose reliable resources by following specific criteria such as author expertise, source credibility, currency, objectivity, methodology, and peer review. The Iowa Model of Evidence-Based Practice enhances patient outcomes by offering a structured framework to integrate credible evidence into clinical decision-making. By adopting evidence-based practice and conscientiously evaluating resources, nurses play a crucial role in improving the quality of care for patients with DVT.

References

Cuker, A., Tseng, E. K., Nieuwlaat, R., Angchaisuksiri, P., Blair, C., Dane, K., DeSancho, M. T., Diuguid, D. L., Griffin, D. O., Kahn, S. R., Klok, F. A., Lee, A. I., Neumann, I., Pai, A., Righini, M., Sanfilippo, K., Siegal, D. M., Skara, M., Terrell, D. R., & Touri, K. (2022). American Society of Hematology Living Guidelines on the use of anticoagulation for thromboprophylaxis in patients with COVID-19: January 2022 update on the use of therapeutic-intensity anticoagulation in acutely ill patients. Blood Advances. https://doi.org/10.1182/bloodadvances.2022007561

Danford, N. C., Sperring, C. P., & Greisberg, J. K. (2021). Outcome assessment and quality improvement for geriatric hip fractures. Springer EBooks, 159–173. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-78969-5_9

De Palo, V. A. (2023). Venous thromboembolism (VTE) guidelines: Venous thrombosis clinical practice guidelines (ESVS, 2021), ASH updated recommendations for management of VTE (2020), guidelines for use of IVC filters in treatment of venous thromboembolism (SIR, 2020). Emedicine.medscape.com. https://emedicine.medscape.com/article/1267714-guidelines#g8