Research Problem/Purpose
The problem statement is clearly presented in the article “Nurses and Nursing Assistants’ Decision-Making Regarding Use of Safe Patient Handling and Mobility Technology: A Qualitative Study” by Kanaskie and Snyder (2018). This study aims at exploring the use of safe patient handling and mobility (SPHM) among registered health officials and nursing assistants. The article’s problem statement has significant implications for healthcare workers because various questions often arise regarding the way they come up with decisions concerning the use of secure patient handling and mobility equipment, including how such choices affect personal safety. This research reveals the rising incidents of musculoskeletal injuries among nurses and healthcare professionals globally. Kanaskie and Snyder (2018) have aligned their research problem within the context of the existing knowledge. This work provides a rich contextual background for developing comprehensive compliance standards to address health risks among healthcare workers. The purpose of the study is to explore the decision-making processes regarding the use of SPHM among certified medical practitioners and nursing assistants.
Review of the Literature
Kanaskie and Snyder (2018) have adequately reviewed the previous literature regarding the well-being of healthcare professionals. There is a clear indication of the existing knowledge gaps in the use of SPHM technology to reinforce safety standards in healthcare organizations. These scholars have used recent references to make sure that the article provides the most appropriate information concerning the topic under investigation. In particular, none of the sources was published in the 1990s. The development of SPHM technology is an area that requires constant research on new ways of ensuring safe patient handling among registered medical experts and nursing assistants (Kanaskie & Snyder, 2018). According to the literature review reveals, it is apparent that previous studies have not acknowledged the importance of interprofessional collaboration with occupational therapy staff in the development of appropriate practices that can guarantee safe patient handling and mobility.
Theoretical Framework
The authors of this article have not linked its context to any theoretical framework. However, Kanaskie and Snyder (2018) have effectively examined various factors that deter the use of SPHM equipment in the light of existing policies regarding the safe handling of patients. As a result, their research draws conclusions from current health care guidelines. The prevailing literature does not record any known theoretical frameworks regarding healthcare occupational safety. Consequently, there is the need to develop suitable models for ensuring the safe handling and mobility of patients to provide perceptive research on this topic.
Variables/Hypotheses/Questions/Assumptions
Independent and dependent variables are not clearly defined in this article. Kanaskie and Snyder (2018) present two indirectly stated study questions instead of hypotheses. The two questions may be reframed as:
- “How do healthcare workers make decisions to use SPHM equipment?” (Kanaskie & Snyder, 2018, p. 141).
- “How do they weigh decisions against personal safety?” (Kanaskie & Snyder, 2018, p. 141).
The nature of the above queries suggests that this research is not tentative. Instead, it lies within a qualitative research model.
Methodology
This article is based on a qualitative research design. Permission to conduct the study was granted by healthcare directors attached to the selected hospitals in collaboration with individual participants. After agreeing to participate in this project, a purposive sample of nurses from the specialty adult intensive care unit (ICU) and one medical-surgical department was identified. Respondents were asked to volunteer in the exercise. These researchers created homogeneous groups that comprised of registered nurses from each of the two units. However, they were encouraged to work with peers from the same unit based on their roles. Nurses who assumed leadership positions in their organizations were not allowed to take part in this exercise. About 25 study questionnaires were distributed among four focus groups whereby two groups consisted of 14 registered nurses while the rest had 11 nursing assistants (Kanaskie & Snyder, 2018). Each focus group included 6 to 8 participants. Deductive reasoning was adopted in the completion of this research article. Questions were developed based on the existing literature and the underlying patient safety and mobility policies in the healthcare sector.
Data Analysis
Data analysis and management were performed using numbers to identify participants. This article shows that all the selected respondents took part in the exercise. Competent nurses led various research teams to undertake qualitative procedures. Focus group transcripts and individual analyses provided vital concepts and responses. The coding step involved finding any reiterating concepts. Codes were then classified into themes and subthemes with a view to examining, comparing, and harmonizing them (Kanaskie & Snyder, 2018). Possible biases were addressed at all levels of this research. Findings presented perceived risks and coordination of care as the main aspects, which influenced the implementation of SPHM in healthcare facilities.
Summary/Conclusions, Implications, and Recommendations
A major strength of this study is that it provides new information concerning decision-making procedures, particularly the use of SPHM technology among certified health officials and nursing assistants. Focus groups provided a rich source of data to help in responding to the set research questions. The increased participation of respondents led to the collection of detailed descriptions of the experiences of registered nurses and nursing assistants. However, Kanaskie and Snyder’s (2018) study has a major limitation because its results cannot be generalized to other populations because it focused on a single healthcare facility. This research reveals the significance of interprofessional collaboration with physical and occupational therapy staff in SPHM practice. Previous studies have not identified this concept. The current research also depicts laxity among some registered nurses, especially when formulating decisions regarding the safe handling mobility of patients. Findings of this study draw attention to the importance of adopting collaborative strategies for bolstering teamwork in the development and management of patient-centered care.
References
Kanaskie, M. L., & Snyder, C. (2018). Nurses and nursing assistants’ decision-making regarding use of safe patient handling and mobility technology: A qualitative study. Applied Nursing Research, 39, 141-147.