Determining the Credibility of Evidence and Resources
FPX4030: Making Evidence-Based Decisions
Resource credibility in evidence-based practice is crucial for the effective management of Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs). Using credible resources enables healthcare professionals to follow best practices, ultimately ensuring high-quality patient outcomes. Sources that support credibility in evidence-based practice include peer-reviewed journals, clinical practice guidelines from reputable health organizations, and systematic reviews (Dang et al., 2021). These tools not only enhance care quality but also provide a foundation for sound clinical judgment. NURS FPX 4030 Assessment 2 highlights the importance of evaluating resource credibility when addressing safety and quality issues related to UTIs. This assessment encourages nurses to apply EBP principles by relying on valid and up-to-date evidence to guide decisions in UTI management. In hospitals, UTIs present a complex challenge that requires evidence-informed solutions (Voidazan et al., 2020).
A Quality or Safety Issue
Evidence-based practice (EBP) is a critical approach in healthcare, combining the latest research, clinical expertise, and patient preferences to guide care decisions. With the increasing prevalence of UTIs, especially in hospital settings, EBP helps ensure that treatment is grounded in reliable and current evidence, which leads to better patient outcomes. UTIs, particularly Catheter-Associated Urinary Tract Infections (CAUTIs), represent a major concern for healthcare safety and quality. CAUTIs account for approximately 75% of hospital-acquired UTIs and contribute to a financial burden exceeding $1 billion annually in the U.S. alone (Werneburg, 2022). Patients affected by CAUTIs often endure longer hospital stays, greater discomfort, and higher medical costs. NURS FPX 4030 Assessment 2 emphasizes the significance of identifying and addressing such safety concerns using EBP principles, reinforcing the need for credible, research-backed interventions in nursing practice.
Evidence-based proper strategies for prevention and management of UTIs can be implemented. Such a strategy involves appropriate care for the catheters, timely removal of all unnecessary catheters, and using appropriate antimicrobial therapy. Often, evidence-based guidelines have shown and proved how they reduce UTIs and better the patient outcomes. For instance, the insertion, maintenance, and removal protocols for catheters have been proved to lower the rate of UTIs in healthcare settings (Ashraf et al., 2020).
The Rationale for the Importance
It is very important for UTIs to be treated based on evidence-based approach. UTIs patients, especially CAUTIs at great risk that includes: sepsis, renal damage and increase in death rates. Evidence-based guidelines help health experts to reduce the associated risks and improve quality of care that they offer their patients, (Dang et al., 2021). Evidence-based practices permit interventions based on the best available research that improved patient outcomes. Practicing EBP in the treatment of UTIs reserves resources for health care systems that would otherwise be wasted, as these common infections, inappropriate antibiotic use and unnecessary hospitalizations are reduced. According to research, the implementation of EBP interventions antimicrobial stewardship programs and infection control as successfully reduced UTI rates and positively impacted outcomes for patients presenting with these infections (Anat Zalmanovich et al., 2021). Not only do these practices promote increased patient safety but they also support greater overall efficiency of healthcare delivery.
Determining Credibility of Resource
Determining Credibility of Resource while analyzing information, one must consider if information meets the criteria of the CRAAP test: currency, relevance, authority, accuracy, and purpose. Check the credentials of the author, content on infectious diseases or urology is more reliable if written by professors in the same field. Through this, the information is developed from real research and, simultaneously, while maintaining high academic standards. Timeliness is another crucial factor. Current and up-to-date publications are preferred, as they offer the latest findings in the relevant research and the latest best practices. The date of publication helps to determine whether the information is current or not. References and citation to other studies and established knowledge are still necessary. This practice also supports transparency in the research process since it helps confirm that the information is evidence-based, best practice and Citations to the work further validate the resources (Kington et al., 2021). Finally, the design and methodology of the study are important to assess the reliability of the evidence. A deeply conducted study, employing the appropriate methodology, yields more reliable evidence, and credible outcomes. Applying the CRAAP test systematically guarantees health professionals the use of credible and accurate resources that are relevant for decision-making and better results in patient care.
Ways to Apply Criteria to a Specific Resourc
e
Applying the criteria to evaluate the “Journal of National Institute of Health” for information on UTIs requires careful analysis. First, the currency aspect is determined concerning the regular publication of new studies and the existence of research articles on UTIs that are based on contemporary methods and findings. Based on relevance, focusing research on health brings this journal to be very relevant to medical professionals in
search for comprehensive information on UTIs. This association further enhances the credibility of the journal as it is linked to a top and reputed association operating in the medical field. Articles will be written by professionals in this field, such as infectious disease professionals and urologists, which adds further weight to the journal. A peer-review policy ensures the accuracy of the content since research work is reviewed for methodological correctness and validity by other experts, hence the information given can be justified as credible and evidence-based (Gidey et al., 2023). Furthermore, it is expected that the journal would contribute to medical knowledge and improve public health to confirm the objectivity of content as well as the provision of information, which is accurate and unbiased (Caulley et al., 2020). These collectively served as the criteria by which one proved that “Journal of National Institute of Health” is a valid and useful source of information in searches for those that related to UTI.
Credibility and Relevance of Evidence
Credibility and relevance of evidence both contribute to building the quality of the research in relevance in healthcare problems. High-quality evidence is generically important for informing practice and making sure that the interventions are drawn from the best research (Hanney et al., 2020). In relation to UTIs, credible evidence include clinical trials, systematic reviews, and meta-analyses, which simply imply the effectiveness of various prevention and treatment strategies. The paper by (Grey et al., 2023), is of huge importance to the field in regard to urinary tract infection diagnosis. Relative effectiveness in diagnosing urinary tract infections using the different described RDTs with the view of bringing to the fore their potential to improve speed and accuracy in diagnosis is highlighted from this study. Key findings elaborated that RDTs, like the leukocyte esterase and nitrite dipstick test, have a very high sensitivity of 85% and
specificity of 90% in diagnosing UTIs. The tests also enable the reporting of results within minutes, which prompt the clinician to make clinical decisions faster than with culture, which usually takes 24-48 hours. This documentation is justified and has a lot of credibility supported because of adopted methodology, it proves to be of great importance and relevance in clinical practice in advocating for the inclusion of RDTs in the routine procedures for diagnosing UTI effectively and accurately toward patient care.
The study by (Nicolle et al., 2019) is one of the comprehensive works that lay a foundation for both diagnosis and treatment in this scope. This guideline synthesizes the evidence of many studies and the opinion of experts in the field to generate one set of recommendations for health providers. It deals with the diagnosis and management of UTIs at all levels and sets preventive strategies. The guideline by IDSA has high credibility as it was developed by major experts in infectious diseases and based on very systematic reviews of current evidence.
On the other hand, (Silva et al., 2022) conducted research on the resistance trends in common uropathogens to a variety of antibiotics. They concluded an increasing rate of resistance among the uropathogen strains of E. coli, which are frequently isolated from UTI, to the commonly used antibiotics for UTI therapy, specifically ciprofloxacin and trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole. It did, however, comment that most of the resistant strains were still sensitive to nitrofurantoin and fosfomycin and that these were probably to be considered as possible alternative therapies. It also noted some geographical variability of the resistance patterns which meant that local surveillance data would guide the choices of antibiotics to use. The large data acquisition and analysis methods applied
in this research make the study more credible, and the implications relate directly to developing improved treatment modalities for UTIs at various clinical practices.
Most Useful Evidence
Based on the above analysis, it has been identified that the guideline by (Grey et al., 2023) is among the most reliable and relevant sources in the management of UTI. This study is published by most reputable publication “The Journal of Medical Microbiology” (JMM), which is up-to-date depending on the new research data and clinical practices in the management of UTI. This source is relevant to the issue of UTI management and can be applied in order to assist the health professionals and nurses to make effective decisions regarding patient care.
Importance of Incorporating Credible Evidence
Adding credible evidence into the diagnosis of UTI and health practice is important to achieve better outcomes and standards of care delivered. A guide like the Iowa Model gets one into the logical and systemic approach. At first, this model aims at the identification of the problem or opportunity for improvement that is, recognizing the variability in the diagnostic practice of UTI and the patient’s outcomes. Through the recognition of variation in practice and the outcome, healthcare providers get to highlight the importance of evidence-based guidelines (Chiwaula et al., 2021). In second step, an interdisciplinary team is created, including nurses, physicians, infection control specialists, and researchers. This step involves in the creation of an interdisciplinary team who, through broad perspectives and competencies, can comprehensively analyze the evidence base under consideration during the practice change. Third step involves collecting and evaluating the evidence from such high-quality sources as the Cochrane
Library, PubMed, EBSCO, BMJ and the NIDDK. Critical appraisal ensures that only the most valid, reliable, and relevant evidence puts into practice change.
The fourth step involves the actual implementation of evidence-based interventions. In the context of UTI diagnosis, it would help standardize diagnostic criteria and treatment protocols for UTI according to the latest research findings. For such interventions to be clinically acceptable and effective in a clinical state, they must be practical and relevant in the clinical setting. Lastly, outcome evaluation follows to test the efficiency of the introduced change. This goes toward measuring patient results, like rates of accurate diagnosis and treatment success, and provides further insights into where improvements could be made (Gupta et al., 2023). Finally, results dissemination involves sharing with the wider healthcare community the experience and insights obtained from the implemented evidence-based practices through presentations, publications, and training sessions, which facilitate the adoption of best practices in UTI diagnosis and management. The comprehensive approach, based on steps proposed by the Iowa Model, ensures that healthcare practice is subjective and under constant review, with changes being made based on the best available evidence.
Conclusion
In conclusion, assessing the credibility and relevance of evidence and resources is crucial in any response to problems related to quality or safety of given practice of diagnosis and treatment of UTIs. Through analysis of the source, authorship, date of publication, and the research methodology used for the publication under review, healthcare experts will be in a position to work with reliable and relevant information. Healthcare professionals access to recent, peer-reviewed studies and guidelines from reputable health organizations, therefore enhancing accuracy and effectiveness in clinical
decisions. Ultimately, the use of the most valid and relevant has good outcomes in the patient, decreases the risks, and ensures high standards of care in the management of urinary tract infection.
References
Anat Zalmanovich, Katzir, M., Chowers, M., Matar, A., Rodrig, J., & Alon, D. (2021). Improving urinary tract infection treatment through a multifaceted antimicrobial
stewardship intervention in the emergency department. The American Journal of Emergency Medicine, 49, 10–13. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ajem.2021.05.037
Ashraf, M. S., Gaur, S., Bushen, O. Y., Chopra, T., Chung, P., Clifford, K., Hames, E., Hertogh, C. M. P. M., Krishna, A., Mahajan, D., Mehr, D. R., Nalls, V., Rowe, T. A., Schweon, S. J., Sloane, P. D., Trivedi, K. K., Buul, L. W. van, & Jump, R. L. P. (2020). Diagnosis, Treatment, and Prevention of Urinary Tract Infections in Post-Acute and Long-Term Care Settings: A Consensus Statement from AMDA’s Infection Advisory Subcommittee. Journal of the American Medical Directors Association, 21(1), 12-24.e2. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jamda.2019.11.004
Caulley, L., Cheng, W., Catalá-López, F., Whelan, J., Khoury, M., Ferraro, J., Husereau, D., Altman, D. G., & Moher, D. (2020). Citation impact was highly variable for reporting guidelines of health research: a citation analysis. Journal of Clinical Epidemiology, 127, 96–104. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclinepi.2020.07.013
Chiwaula, C. H., Kanjakaya, P., Chipeta, D., Chikatipwa, A., Kalimbuka, T., Zyambo, L., Nkata, S., & Jere, D. L. (2021). Introducing evidence based practice in nursing care delivery, utilizing the Iowa model in intensive care unit at Kamuzu Central Hospital, Malawi. International Journal of Africa Nursing Sciences, 14(100272), 100272. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijans.2020.100272
Dang, D., Dearholt, S. L., Bissett, K., Ascenzi, J., & Whalen, M. (2021). Johns Hopkins Evidence-Based Practice for Nurses and Healthcare Professionals: Model and Guidelines, Fourth Edition. In Google Books. Sigma Theta Tau. https://books.google.com.pk/books?hl=en&lr=&id=m4k4EAAAQBAJ&oi=fnd&pg= PP1&dq=Evidence-based+guidelines+help+health +experts+to+reduce+the+associated+ risks+and+improve+quality+of+care+that+ they+offer+their+patients&ots= pVJyzLubAe&sig=ykUQ5UVwRFYnPK9_7GucrPPSlcI
Gidey, K., Gidey, M. T., Hailu, B. Y., Gebreamlak, Z. B., & Niriayo, Y. L. (2023). Clinical and economic burden of healthcare-associated infections: A prospective cohort study. PLOS ONE, 18(2), e0282141. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0282141
Gupta, P., Thomas, M., Mathews, L., Zacharia, N., Fayiz Ibrahim, A., Garcia, M. L., Simbulan, C., Attia Mohamed, F., & El Hassan, M. (2023). Reducing catheter-associated urinary tract infections in the cardiac intensive care unit with a coordinated strategy and nursing staff empowerment. BMJ Open Quality, 12(2). https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjoq-2022-002214
Hanney, S., Kanya, L., Pokhrel, S., Jones, T., & Boaz, A. (2020). 1. INTRODUCTION. Www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov; WHO Regional Office for Europe. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK558508/
Kington, R. S., Arnesen, S., Chou, W.-Y. S., Curry, S. J., Lazer, D., & Villarruel, A. M. (2021). Identifying Credible Sources of Health Information in Social Media: Principles and Attributes. NAM Perspectives, 2021(1). https://doi.org/10.31478/202107a
Voidazan, S., Albu, S., Toth, R., Grigorescu, B., Rachita, A., & Moldovan, I. (2020). Healthcare Associated Infections—a New Pathology in Medical Practice? International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 17(3), 760. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph17030760
Werneburg, G. T. (2022). Catheter-Associated Urinary Tract Infections: Current Challenges and Future Prospects. Research and Reports in Urology, 14(14), 109–133. https://doi.org/10.2147/rru.s273663
Nicolle, L. E., Gupta, K., Bradley, S. F., Colgan, R., DeMuri, G. P., Drekonja, D., Eckert, L. O., Geerlings, S. E., Köves, B., Hooton, T. M., Juthani-Mehta, M., Knight, S. L., Saint, S., Schaeffer, A. J., Trautner, B., Wullt, B., & Siemieniuk, R. (2019). Clinical Practice Guideline for the Management of Asymptomatic Bacteriuria: 2019 Update by the Infectious Diseases Society of Americaa. Clinical Infectious Diseases, 68(10). https://doi.org/10.1093/cid/ciy1121
Grey, B., Upton, M., & Joshi, L. T. (2023). Urinary tract infections: a review of the current diagnostics landscape. Journal of Medical Microbiology, 72(11). https://doi.org/10.1099/jmm.0.001780
Silva, A., Costa, E., Freitas, A., & Almeida, A. (2022). Revisiting the Frequency and Antimicrobial Resistance Patterns of Bacteria Implicated in Community Urinary Tract Infections. Antibiotics, 11(6), 768. https://doi.org/10.3390/antibiotics11060768
NURS FPX 4030 Assessment 2 – Determining the Credibility of Evidence and Resources
Evaluate the validity and trustworthiness of scholarly sources in this critical assessment. Revisit your research from
Assessment 1 and get ready for
Assessment 3 and
Assessment 4.
