What is the PICOT question?
Having worked in a surgical unit, one of the problems I have encountered is catheter-associated urinary tract infection (CAUTI). The focus of my PICOT is to identify evidence-based practice that can reduce CAUTI rates in hospital settings. The PICOT elements are the following (from Riva et al., 2012): (P)- The population refers to patients, aged 18 years and above, who used an indwelling urinary catheter, including those with urinary incontinence (i.e., leaking urine or being unable to control urination), urinary retention (i.e., being unable to empty the bladder when needed), and surgery on the prostate or genitals.
( I )- Intervention refers to restricting urinary catheterization to patients who have clear …show more content…
First, evidence should come from literature search. The following are expected research designs. Evidence can be gained from an observational study that assesses if there is a relationship between CAUTI incidence and prevention practices. Observational studies in which patients are assigned to alternative interventions according to patient, provider, and system factors and observed for results are useful studies for this practice issue (Houser, 2018, p. 145). Evidence can also be obtained from quality improvement (QI) initiatives with a pre- and post-study design that can evaluate the effectiveness of a nurse-driven urinary catheter removal process in decreasing catheter use. Furthermore, case control studies can reveal correlations between the independent and dependent variables (Houser, 2018, p. 145). Second, guidelines from healthcare organizations can offer evidence as they can be used to describe existing practices. Third, clinical expertise may provide evidence too as they have observed which practices work or not. Fourth, standards are also important as they are believed to be evidence-based already and can be used for describing and evaluating