Capnography in Resuscitation in Coronary Care Units Proposal

Introduction to the Project

Capnography is recommended by the Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) guidelines because it provides information about a patient’s condition. Nevertheless, research indicates that many nurses demonstrate uncertainty when using this method to monitor patients’ end-tidal carbon dioxide (ETCO2) levels because they lack knowledge about capnography (Lin et al., 2017; Novais & Moreira, 2015; Pantazopoulos et al., 2015).

Poor nurse knowledge about capnography is thus the primary practice problem that the project will aim to address. Improving nurses’ experience with capnography is vital because it would assist in increasing the quality of care. Capnography enhances patient information gathering during cardiopulmonary resuscitation (Hamrick et al., 2017; Heradstveit & Heltne, 2014; Kodali & Urman, 2014).

The rationale for the project lies in its potential beneficial effects on nurse knowledge and its consequences for patients. Chapter 1 of the proposal contains critical information about the project and the selected practice problem. In particular, it details the background of the project, its purpose, and significance and explains the research problem in more detail to determine the appropriate clinical questions. The chapter also presents information regarding project design, such as methodology, organization, assumptions, limitations, and delimitations. These details can be used to enhance awareness about the project and its course.

Background of the Project

Cardiac arrest poses a significant threat to patients in coronary care units since it may lead to the patient’s death. As a result, the techniques used to improve the outcomes of patients during cardiac arrests have been widely studied in the literature (Edelson et al., 2014; Mader, Coute, Kellogg, & Harrism, 2014). Capnography has been developed as a measurement tool for monitoring coronary perfusion pressure (CPP) and coronary blood flow. Based on changes to ETCO2 levels, this technique helps to predict new cardiac problems impacting the patient’s condition (Kiekkas, Stefanopoulos, Konstantinou, Bakalis, & Aretha, 2016; Lui, Poon, & Tsui, 2016; Sheak et al., 2015; Venkatesh & Keating, 2017).

Recent studies have shown the effectiveness of capnography in patients with chronic hypercapnic respiratory failure, hypoventilation, severe hypothermia, and metabolic changes (Cereceda-Sánchez & Molina-Mula, 2017; Chhajed et al., 2016; Darocha et al., 2017). However, the widespread implementation of capnography and practice improvement has been hindered by care providers’ uncertainty and reduced awareness.

According to Dioso (2014) and Duckworth (2017), nurses working with cardiac patients are required to understand the technique of ETCO2 monitoring to be able to apply it correctly. The knowledge of resuscitation techniques also impacts nurses’ professionalism and readiness to intervene (Bullock, Dodington, Donoghue, & Langhan, 2017). Hence, contemporary researchers stress the importance of preparing nurses to apply capnography along with other techniques during cardiac arrest.

It is possible that addressing knowledge barriers about capnography would improve the quality of care in cardiac units and improve patient outcomes (Israel, 2014; Jaffe, 2017; Kuisma et al., 2017; Nassar & Schmidt, 2016). The project is based on the need for increased capnography use in coronary care units and connection between nurses’ knowledge and the application of this technique.

Problem Statement

Based on research, it is essential for nurses working in coronary care units to apply evidence-based techniques to prevent patient deaths from cardiac arrests. Capnography can help to achieve better outcomes in these settings since it provides more details about the patient’s condition and indicates the risk of complications (Hassankhani, Aghdam, Rahmani, & Mohammadpoorfard, 2015; Heradstveit & Heltne, 2014).

Some authors suggest that nurses must have the necessary knowledge, experience, and training to provide quality care (Dioso, 2014; Duckworth, 2017). Nevertheless, it is not known whether nurses’ knowledge of capnography is associated with the use of this tool during cardiopulmonary resuscitation. The primary population affected by the problem includes patients with cardiac issues who are at a high risk of a cardiac arrest.

The limited understanding of capnography can present barriers to its use within a clinical care setting. These limitations can affect the quality of care provided to the patient population, increasing the possibility of adverse outcomes following a cardiac arrest. By implication, a positive relationship between nurses’ knowledge of capnography and their readiness to use this tool would reduce mortality rates. Therefore, this project seeks to bridge the gap in the literature. Since nursing education, training, and quality care is lacking the project will develop interventions aimed at reducing mortalities from cardiac arrest.

Purpose of the Project

The purpose of this study is to explore the relationship between nurses’ knowledge of capnography and its use in coronary care units. By fulfilling this purpose, the project will provide valuable insight into factors affecting the use of capnography, thus contributing to the field and filling the gap in the literature identified in the problem statement. The findings of this research will be beneficial to scholars, practitioners, healthcare leaders. The project will be accomplished using quantitative techniques, including the Nurses’ Knowledge on Capnography Test (Kiekkas et al., 2016) and observations.

The variables of the study include nursing knowledge of capnography techniques, the use of capnography during resuscitation, and the correctness of capnography techniques. The first variable is independent, and it is defined as the nurses’ awareness of capnography techniques, purpose, and benefits for the patient. The second variable is dependent and involves the fact of using capnography during resuscitation. The third variable is dependent and involves nurses’ compliance with guidelines and procedures during capnography. It is anticipated that nurses’ knowledge will have a positive effect on both dependent variables. The population included in the sample will consist of nurses working in coronary care units in New Jersey hospitals. Hence, the geographic location of the project will be New Jersey.

Clinical Questions

This project will focus on the relationship between nurses’ knowledge of capnography and their use of this tool during cardiac resuscitation. As the project seeks to fill in the gaps that exist in the literature, it will consider several aspects of the topic. The understanding whether nurses connect high knowledge of capnography with frequent use of this tool will reveal the barriers to its implementation (Kiekkas et al., 2016; Turle, Sherren, Nicholson, Callaghan, & Shepherd, 2015).

Secondly, it would be beneficial to determine if increased knowledge is associated with better compliance with procedures and guidelines for capnography. Some prior studies have noted that nurses may hesitate to use capnography and other related techniques if they do not feel competent enough (Lin et al., 2017; Lin, Guerguerian, Laussen, & Trbovich, 2015; Novais & Moreira, 2015; Pantazopoulos et al., 2015). However, it has not been thoroughly investigated whether or not increased nurses’ knowledge impacts the correctness of their actions during capnography. By addressing this question, the project will show if the benefits from education and training extend beyond readiness to use capnography. Based on the information above, the following three questions will guide this quantitative project:

• Q1. Does nursing knowledge of capnography impact the frequency of utilization during resuscitation?
• Q2. Does nurses’ knowledge of capnography impact compliance with its guidelines and procedures?

To answer these questions, the researcher will consider the research variables. Although current evidence does not explicitly address the relationships between these variables, it is possible to make predictions about the results of the project. It is expected that nursing knowledge will influence the frequency of utilization and compliance with clinical procedures. Responses to the clinical questions above will provide further evidence in support of or against this predictive statement. The PICOT question to support the exploration is stated as follows:

In coronary care units (P), does nursing knowledge of capnography (I), compared to average or low understanding of capnography (C), increase capnography use during resuscitation and its correctness (O) during the six-month period (T)?

Advancing Scientific Knowledge

The project will contribute to developing population health outcomes of patients with cardiovascular diseases by providing evidence to support practice improvement in coronary care. Cardiac arrest is common among this patient population, and researchers estimate that 1,000 people in the United States die from cardiac arrest every day (Edelson et al., 2014; Kodali & Urman, 2014; Mader et al., 2014). The assumption supports the need for continuous improvement in cardiopulmonary resuscitation. Some authors have recommended the used of capnography to improve survival rates (Kiekkas et al., 2016; Lui et al., 2016).

However, capnography use in these situations is inconsistent, thus creating the need for targeted practice improvement. To improve capnography in cardiac resuscitation, nurses must understand the factors affecting their use. Hence, there is a clear need for more information about the relationship between capnography use and care providers’ knowledge of the procedure. The project will seek to address this need and fill the gap in the literature by studying the relationship between nurses’ knowledge of capnography, their use of this tool in resuscitation, and the correctness of capnography use. The project will provide insight into how nursing knowledge to use capnography techniques is associated with their experience, education, and training. This could help to advance practice by providing evidence in support of targeted improvements in nursing education.

The theoretical foundation of the project is comprised of two models: the conceptual model of nursing (CMN) and the middle-range nursing theory of self-efficacy (NTSE). The CMN explains how nurses’ activities mediate the relationship between upstream, population, and system factors and population health (Fawcett & Ellenbecker, 2015). It contributes to the project by enabling researchers to analyze the tasks and activities performed by nurses (Lin et al., 2015; Yen et al., 2016).

The project will advance this model by identifying the factors influencing nurses’ activities during resuscitation, thus offering a more in-depth look at the workflow in coronary care units. The NTSE, in turn, argues that nurses’ competence impacts their ability to perform specific tasks and the resulting patient outcomes (Smith & Liehr, 2018). This theory allowed composing the clinical questions and determining the variables to be examined in the project. The project will also contribute to the NTSE by providing evidence concerning the relationship between nurses’ competence and their activities during resuscitation.

Significance of the Project

The significance of the project lies primarily in the fact that it will address the gap in the scholarly literature on capnography. As evidenced by the analysis of current research, articles on capnography focus mostly on its outcomes and implementation (Kalmar et al., 2018; Langhan, Shabanova, Li, Bernstein, & Shapiro, 2015; Turle et al., 2015). To facilitate the effective use of capnography, it is essential to determine individual factors that impact care providers’ readiness to use the tool, such as the level of knowledge. From current research, it is not known whether increased nurses’ knowledge of capnography is associated with the increased and more correct use of this tool during cardiopulmonary resuscitation.

This project aims to explore this aspect of the topic further, thus providing the evidence needed for practice improvement and future scholarly work in the area. The results of the project could lead to meaningful practice improvement and enhance patient outcomes in coronary care. The project differs from other studies in the field in terms of its focus, although it builds on the studies concerning care providers’ perspectives on capnography (Lin et al., 2017; Novais & Moreira, 2015; Pantazopoulos et al., 2015).

Therefore, the project fills the gap in the literature on the topic while relating to other studies of capnography. The project will have important implications for a variety of stakeholders because the results could be used to achieve practice improvement through education and training. This, in turn, would contribute to population health by enhancing clinical practice in cardiopulmonary resuscitation. Additionally, it would decrease care providers’ uncertainty during resuscitation, thus possibly reducing the stress and promoting guideline compliance in various clinical settings. Overall, the project would add value by providing information in support of nursing education and training in capnography, which would help to advance practice and population health.

Rationale for Methodology

The chosen project methodology will help to address the research problem by collecting meaningful information on the topic. The method to be used is quantitative, correlational research with the NKCT tool and observations as the primary methods of data collection (Kiekkas et al., 2016).

The use of a quantitative methodology is justified by the need to explore individual factors affecting practice in coronary care units, explicitly focusing on nurses’ knowledge and their application of capnography. Quantitative methodologies have many benefits that are relevant to the proposed project. First, they provide a higher level of validity and certainty of results due to the use of statistical tools for data analysis, as well as data collection instruments with proven validity and reliability (Ali & Bhaskar, 2016; Center for Innovation in Research and Teaching, n.d.a; Center for Innovation in Research and Teaching, n.d.b; Heale & Twycross, 2015; Leppink, O’Sullivan, & Winston, 2016; Watson, 2015).

Observations in quantitative methodologies are useful for answering the research questions because they provide objective information and allow tailoring the assessment to the needs of the project (Campbell, 2017; Guo et al., 2016; Nelson, 2018). This means that the use of the selected methodology will provide the information required for fulfilling the purpose of the project.

The alternative qualitative methodology has been considered for the project, but it has certain limitations that would influence the reliability of findings. First, qualitative methods are concerned with abstract concepts, and thus their ability to provide objective information is limited. This is why they are usually used to understand the participants’ behaviors and attitudes rather than specific activities or knowledge levels (Austin & Sutton, 2014; Barnham, 2015; Flanagan, Greenfield, Coad, & Neilson, 2015; Gunnell, 2016).

Secondly, qualitative instruments are usually not measured for validity and reliability, which increases the risk of bias. This is mainly because qualitative tools focus on collecting data that cannot be measured objectively and tested for correctness (Katz-Buonincontro & Anderson, 2018; Rowley, 2014). This contradicts the purpose of the project and will affect the opportunity to use the results for practice improvement.

Based on the information above, the chosen approach is better than qualitative alternatives at answering the selected clinical questions. Each clinical question posed for the project considers the participants’ level of knowledge and its connection to the use of capnography and guideline compliance. Answering these research questions with correlational methodology would address the research gap, suggesting whether nursing knowledge of capnography influence its utilization during resuscitation.

Nature of the Project Design

The correlational design was selected for the project as it best fits its goals and purpose. This design relies on quantitative data collection and analysis methods to explore the relationship between two or more variables (Ingham-Broomfield, 2014). The variables in correlational research are not manipulated in any way, which will allow the project to reflect the current situation in a New Jersey coronary care unit setting. (Price, Jhangiani, Chiang, Leighton, & Cuttler, n.d.).

The critical stage of correlational research is data analysis, which is specifically concerned with determining whether or not one variable influences the other. For this purpose, a correlational study uses scattergrams, regression analysis, and correlation analysis (Cronin et al., 2014). The specifics of the correlational design are relevant to the project because they align with its purpose and the identified clinical statements. Since the project is focused on the correlation of nursing knowledge, the use of capnography, and guideline compliance, the correlational design is best suited for the project.

The data for the project will be collected from at least 80 nurses working in coronary care units in New Jersey hospitals. The size of the sample is small for quantitative research but could determine the relationship among variables through the application of instruments in data collection and analysis (Martínez-Mesa, González-Chica, Bastos, Bonamigo, & Duquia, 2014). Additionally, there are limitations, including the geographical location of the project and the size of coronary care units, which impact the possible sample size for this project.

Data collection procedures include testing nurse’s knowledge using the NKCT tool and observations of cardiopulmonary resuscitation procedures, which provides the objective information to answer the research questions (Campbell, 2017; Kiekkas et al., 2016; Nelson, 2018). The data obtained from testing and observations will be analyzed using scattergrams, regression analysis, and correlational analysis to determine the relationship between two pairs of variables (Cronin et al., 2014). Therefore, the analysis will fill in the gap in the literature, thus, addressing the practice problem and answering the clinical questions for the project.

Definition of Terms

This section provides a brief overview of the research variables and operational terms of the project.

Nurses’ knowledge of capnography

This is one of the two variables to be investigated in the project, and it includes nurses’ awareness about capnography techniques and benefits, as well as their competence about technical equipment use and ETCO2 levels interpretation (Lin et al., 2017; Pantazopoulos et al., 2015). The project will use the NKCT tool developed by Kiekkas et al. (2016) to evaluate nurses’ knowledge

The use of capnography

This is the second variable to be considered as part of the project, and it reflects the fact of the use of capnography during cardiopulmonary resuscitation (Novais & Moreira, 2015; Pantazopoulos et al., 2015).

The correctness of capnography techniques

This is the third variable considered for the project, and it is referred to as the correctness of capnography application. It reflects nurses’ activities during capnography, focusing on their compliance with relevant guidelines and procedures (Novais & Moreira, 2015; Pantazopoulos et al., 2015).

Cardiac arrest

This term is defined as “the cessation of cardiac mechanical activity confirmed by the absence of a detectable pulse, unresponsiveness, and apnea” (Tobi & Amadasun, 2015, p. 132). Cardiac arrest leads to the patient’s death if the appropriate care is not provided immediately.

Cardiopulmonary resuscitation

This term identifies the process of restoring blood flow during a cardiac arrest using chest compression and artificial ventilation (Kodali & Urman, 2014). There are specific, detailed guidelines on how to perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation that nurses and doctors have to follow.

Capnography

Capnography is a non-invasive technique to monitor the concentration of partial pressure of carbon dioxide (Kiekkas et al., 2016). It can help to track the patient’s progress and support decision-making during cardiopulmonary resuscitation.

Assumptions, Limitations, Delimitations

As part of the proposal, it is essential to note the assumptions, limitations, and delimitations applicable to this project. The following methodological assumptions were used as part of designing the project:

1. The information gathered from the participants will reflect the overall situation in coronary care units in New Jersey. Although the sample is small, and there may be individual differences among the participants, it is assumed that their attitudes and perspectives will match those of nurses working in similar settings.
2. The nurses selected for the project will have time to participate in testing. The chosen methodology implies that each participant will complete the NKCT tool chosen for testing nurses’ knowledge (Kiekkas et al., 2016). Nurses have a busy schedule, but it is expected that they will be willing to participate in testing during their free time.

The project is also likely to be affected by certain limitations. These include:

1. The lack of funding affected the prolonged data collection process. Providing compensation to participants for taking part in testing would increase the response rate and nurses’ willingness to participate in the project.
2. Ethical considerations. While conducting studies involving human subjects, scholars face many ethical challenges (Sanjari, Bahramnezhad, Fomani, Shoghi, & Cheraghi, 2014; Zyphur & Pierides, 2017). For example, it may not be possible to conduct observations or test participants as planned.

To address these limitations, it is vital to apply some delimitations. The proposed delimitations are:

1. Institutional support for recruiting and testing participants. This could help to improve nurses’ willingness to participate in the project and remove the obstacles to conducting observations.

Contingency planning for ethical compliance. Performing an analysis could help to identify potential ethical constraints and plan for using alternative tools or techniques if necessary.

Summary and Organization of the Remainder of the Project

Overall, cardiopulmonary resuscitation is an essential process in coronary care settings, and additional techniques could increase the chances of survival. Capnography proved to be a valuable addition to standard CPR procedures since it helps to monitor the patient’s condition and predict adverse events (Hamrick et al., 2017; Heradstveit & Heltne, 2014; Kodali & Urman, 2014; Venkatesh & Keating, 2017).

However, the research identified some barriers to consistent implementation of capnography. Some studies suggest that many nurses are hesitant to apply this technique due to the lack of proper training and experience (Lin et al., 2017; Lin et al., 2015; Novais & Moreira, 2015; Pantazopoulos et al., 2015).

This topic has limited evidence in works of literature, and thus, there is a research gap on how nursing knowledge affects their readiness to use capnography and compliance with procedures. Advancing knowledge in this area could be useful for various stakeholders, including care providers, policymakers, and patients. The present DPI project will seek to address this problem by researching the relationship between nurses’ knowledge, the use of capnography, and patient outcomes. The literature review provided in Chapter 2 will present a more detailed view of the problem by examining scholarly findings on the topic of capnography. Then, Chapter 3 of the proposal will explore the selected correlational methodology for data collection and analysis.

Literature Review

Capnography as a monitoring tool is applied in a variety of clinical settings, including the operating theatre and coronary care units (CCUs) because it allows nurses to assess patients’ end-tidal carbon dioxide (ETCO2) levels (Conway et al., 2018). These levels help understand the efficiency of a person’s metabolic and respiratory functions while in the coronary care unit. Additionally, during cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), capnography provides an evaluation of both the cardiac function and organ perfusion allowing monitoring of the effect of CPR efforts and predictions regarding the restoration of spontaneous circulation (ROSC).

This project focuses on the gap between the existing guidelines from national healthcare organizations for using capnography in a clinical setting and a nurse’s ability to implement this approach in real life. Understanding the specifics of using capnography during cardiac arrest is vital for ensuring an improvement in the percentage of successful resuscitation attempts. To bridge the gap in knowledge and practice, the nursing knowledge of continuous patient ETCO2 monitoring is investigated in this literature review.

The purpose of this DPI project is to examine the application of capnography usage within the CCU setting. Therefore, this literature review aims to investigate the impact of continuous monitoring of patient ETCO2 levels, the efficacy of using capnography during CPR, and the current state of nursing knowledge about the application of this tool.

The objective is to locate evidence that would help understand the current skills and knowledge that nurses possess regarding capnography monitoring. To access capnography usage during CPR, an examination of a correlation in the application of this tool and the impact it has on the knowledge of nurses should be considered. The relationship between nursing knowledge on capnography and patient outcomes would be emphasized, and this review will be conducted using evidence-based studies. The organization of this chapter is as follows – Initially, the background information about applying capnography within a hospital setting, and evidence regarding mortality rates during CPR will be presented.

The overall topic of capnography in medicine, its use, and its impact on patient outcomes will be explored. Additionally, the clinical questions that are the focus of this project will be presented in this section. Next, the theoretical foundation section will focus on nursing care theories that will be utilized for developing a practice improvement strategy. Finally, the review of literature section will provide a synthesis of studies and evidence supported by clinical inquiries about the use of capnography in CCU and the correlation between nurses’ knowledge and CPR outcomes.

Subsections provide the assessment of background information, including the history of capnography invention, its initial application, and first scholarly publications describing the specifics of respiratory monitoring. Next, theme 1 reviews the connection between nurses’ knowledge, organizational factors, and patient outcomes. Subsequent subsections focus on the diversity of application offered by capnography, its use in coronary care units and during resuscitation, and the issues that may contribute to improper utilization of capnography.

The review was conducted using online libraries such as Elsevier, NCBI, and PubMed to locate relevant evidence-based publications about capnography and the most recent descriptive and empirical studies to develop a cohesive understanding of this instrument. The reviewed articles were selected based on publication date, number of citations in other sources, quality of evidence, and limitations cited by the authors. Besides, the methodology and study design and its appropriateness with the research scope were examined. Wright (2017) argues that although capnography has been used in the clinical setting for many years, the actual use of this approach was limited.

Anesthesia procedures and the practice of using capnography instruments for monitoring cardiac attacks have gained attention in its application in the healthcare setting. It is important in CCU since the implementation of capnography tools improves the number of successful resuscitation cases, suggesting that aspects that obstruct the adequate application of this instrument exist. One of the limitations placed on the esteemed outcomes of capnography utilization derives from the knowledge base that individuals may possess when utilizing the tool.

Theoretical Foundations

Theories and models that can contribute to the direct practice improvement (DPI) are the conceptual model of nursing (CMN) and the middle-range nursing theory of self-efficacy (NTSE) (Fawcett, 2016; Morse, 2016). The investigated problem is connected to the theory and model since NTSE implies that nursing knowledge and willingness to improve professional skills affects the practice and has an impact on patient outcomes (Fawcett, 2016).

NTSE bridges the gap between the theory and practice, which is relevant to this DPI because the primary goal is to determine the issues arising from the lack of knowledge, skills, or confidence to use capnography. Primary sources that describe these theories are used; for example, Fawcett (2016) describes the specifics of applying CMN in practice and a book by Morse (2016) explaining the NTSE. These studies illustrate the correlation between personal characteristics of a nurse, knowledge, training, and the impact of these factors on patient outcomes.

CMNs allow determining the general characteristics of healthcare and the connection between various factors such as the healthcare environment, human behavior, nursing practice, and others (Elola et al., 2019). The questions that will be explored in this project are directly connected to the CMN and NTSE because they aim to determine the impact of nurse’s knowledge on the prospects of using the monitoring tool.

The phenomenon that is examined through the explored literature is nurses’ knowledge and its correlation with the cases of using capnography. Because this project focuses on improving nurses’ ability to use capnography in CCU units, two theoretical models will be utilized. The focus is on nursing knowledge of capnography use as an independent variable and mortality rates as a dependent variable (Zito, Berardinelli, Butler, Morrison, & Albert, 2019). The project fits in the evidence-based models of CMN and NTSE because it assesses the impact of general factors on patient outcomes.

Review of the Literature

The complications connected to varied airway events often occur outside the operating theatre and result in high mortality rates. Kerslake and Kelly (2016) state that in 70% of explored cases application of capnography would help mitigate the adverse impact of airway complications or prevent deaths of patients. These statistics are valid for patients dependent on artificial airway support. In addition, capnography application in CUU units can provide valuable input in monitoring ETCO2 levels during resuscitation. The following subsections will examine the evidence suggesting the necessity of utilizing capnography during CPR and the current evince relating to nurses’ knowledge of this instrument as well as data relating to its application.

In the United States, the American Heart Association advises on using capnography during CPR. In Europe, the NAP4 guidelines, which are published for medical institutions both in Europe and the United Kingdom, use of capnography is obligatory for patients subjected to anesthesia, regardless of the devices used for airway support (Kershake & Kelly, 2016; Soar et al., 2015, Link et al., 2015). Additionally, patients receiving advanced life support should also receive continuous capnography monitoring to detect any life-threatening changes. While this suggests that capnography can be helpful in preventing mortality or airway complications in patients within varied clinical settings, the use of capnography during resuscitation procedures is the topic that requires additional exploration.

Theme 1. Background information

The understanding of capnography invention, its initial use, and current trends will help enhance the knowledge of the implications of application and prospects for the future development of capnography. From a historical perspective, capnography is a relatively new approach to evaluating a patient’s health state. The introduction of capnography to the clinical setting in the United States occurred in 1978, and registered nurses began using this tool in recent years to aid patient care (Harper, 2005). However, capnography as an instrument was developed in the 20th century, indicating a long history of using capnography in medicine.

Gravenstein, Jaffe, and Paulus (2005) state that capnography can be used to measure CO2 levels, metabolism, circulation, and other useful metrics, providing an extensive assessment of a patient’s well-being that is useful not only in emergency care but also in day to day monitoring of patients. Therefore, capnography as a monitoring tool provides medical personnel with a better understanding of patient health state because the interpretation of waveforms can serve not only as a measurement of ETCO2, which helps define the purpose and importance of this DPI project.

Subtheme 1. Alternatives to capnography and their limitations

Capnography is not the only method for evaluating these vital signs, but it is more efficient when compared to others, which impacts the quality of care and is especially crucial during CPR where timing and efficiency of actions can affect the likelihood of survival. According to Gravenstein, Jaffe, and Paulus (2005), capnography is “the continuous recording of CO2 partial pressure [pp] in inspiratory and expiratory gases” (p. 184). A similar method titled capnometry exists; however, it does not provide an opportunity to monitor a patient’s CO2 levels, instead of giving a numerical assessment at a given point in time.

Project 1. History of capnography use in CCU

Capnography, as an instrument, has been applied in medical settings for over forty years. The first article describing the application of this monitoring tool in a clinical setting, more specifically during resuscitation, was published by Kalenda (1978) in which the author suggests that monitoring pulmonary perfusion during cardiac massage performed for patient resuscitation can enhance the outcomes. The presence of a capnography tool allows medical professionals to control the process more accurately and adjust the cardiac massage as necessary, affecting the efficiency of the resuscitation efforts.

The patient cases presented by Kalenda (1978) suggest that changing resuscitating strategies reduces patient mortality rates. Thus, capnography should be an integral part of the CCU setting (Eola et al., 2019; Gutiérrez et al., 2018; Lui, Poon, & Tsui, 2016). Hence, capnography will aid nurses to diagnose pulmonary embolism, which requires medical professionals to stop resuscitation efforts. Similar to the evidence presented by Kalenda (1978), more recent literature such as articles by Hartmann, Farris, Di Gennaro, Roberts (2015), suggests that applying capnography during resuscitation helps decrease mortality rates.

Project 2. Principles of capnography and specifics of the application

The implementation of capnography monitoring may be obstructed not only by the capabilities of a hospital but also due to the opinion’s that medical personnel has regarding this tool. Nurses’ perception of capnography and acceptance of using this tool as an essential method for enhancing patient safety varies and indicates the inadequacy of applying capnography (Clark et al., 2018; Izrailtyan, Qiu, Overdyk, Ersion, Gan, 2018; Langham, Li, & Lichtor, 2016).

Therefore, multiple studies illustrate the positive effect of capnography for CPR. While capnography is not the only approach to measuring CO2 levels in a clinical setting, it is the most efficient and accurate. It improves the nurse’s ability to diagnose respiratory issues and mitigate them, which is especially crucial during CPR. The main principle of capnography tools’ work is the evaluation of CO2 levels, which is useful in determining the production of CO2, lung perfusion, patient’s respiratory patterns, and alveolar ventilation. The capnometer measures the CO2 concentrations using a gas sample collected from a patient (Kellshake & Kelly, 2016).

Capnography trace or waveform is the graphic representation of results with time and partial CO2 pressure displayed on X and Y-axes. Hence, the continuous monitoring that this instrument provides is vital in the context of the CPR set.

Capnography allows monitoring the concentration of the carbon dioxide (CO2) in the respiratory gases of the patient. In medicine, this tool is currently used during anesthesia or in intensive care units, while some new studies suggest that using capnography CCU can improve patient outcomes. Capnography allows the medical personnel to monitor the inhaled and exhaled gases. Another benefit of this approach is that it presents an indirect assessment of the patient’s partial pressure in the arterial blood. The importance of using capnography not only in the operating theatre but also in resuscitation or other emergencies is connected to its ability for detecting airways complications in patients.

The general theme of the literature is that capnography has a statistically significant impact on patient outcomes during CPR. A specific practice problem is the impact of nurses’ knowledge on the practice of using capnography in CCU during CPR. Hence, the topic of this paper is practice improvement that will help nurses use capnography tools and interpret results for adjusting resuscitating efforts in CCU.

Subtheme 3. Applying capnography during resuscitation

Examining the scholarly articles on the topic of capnography for resuscitation in the CCU setting can help evaluate the current best practices using evidence-based suggestions and understand the methodology and specifics of the chosen approach. While the discussed literature reviews the utilization of capnography in various settings, further research can help improve the application of this tool in a clinical setting. In general, capnography is helpful in the operating theatre during anesthesia.

This non-operative practice allows monitoring of patients. According to Pantazopulus et al. (2015) “low ETCO2 levels may indicate hyperventilation, apnea, esophageal intubation, occlusion of the endotracheal tube, leakage in the ventilation system, poor systemic and pulmonary circulation, hypothermia, massive pulmonary embolism, or ineffective chest compressions” (p. 1053). The systematic literature review conducted by the authors outlines two main themes connected to the application of this tool exist; implementation and interpretation of results.

The latter is especially relevant for the issue of resuscitation because of it a nurse or other medical professional as to be capable of quickly assessing and interpreting the results of monitoring to adjust resuscitation or adjust the inhalation tubes for patients. The use of capnography in CCU resuscitation can improve the number of successful patient cases. However, filtering practices allowing medical personnel to receive reliable results from capnography tools must be implemented since fast oscillations connected to chest compressions can obstruct the resuscitation.

Capnography can be used to reduce chest compressions when resuscitating patients. This methodology was developed by Leturiondo et al. (2019) and Merckx, Lambert, Cantineau, and Duvaidestin (1992) and incorporated capnography-based chest monitoring tailored for the purposes of cardiopulmonary resuscitation. The issue with the approach currently used in medical establishments is that chest compressions affect the accuracy of automated ventilation detection, which can endanger the patient.

Leturiondo et al. (2018) developed an algorithm that considers this issue and allows detecting of insufficiencies inpatient ventilation. Hence, the accuracy of results and reliability of capnography affects the outcomes of resuscitation efforts. This methodology suggests that while applying capnography during resuscitation helps improve the patient state, more developments, and evidence-based research is required to develop practice improvements. The authors used the following variables – number of distorted ventilation and patient outcomes. According to Cook and Garrop-Griffin (2019), “expired carbon dioxide is routinely detectable during the management of patients with recent cardiac arrest, even in the absence of chest compressions” (p. 439). This evidence provides support for the use of capnography in CUUs.

Project 3. Implications of capnography in medicine

The explored evidence suggests that practice improvement guidelines should incorporate strategies for educating and training medical personnel to use capnography in emergencies, for instance, when resuscitating a patient in a CCU unit. According to Aramendi et al. (2017), “capnography permits monitoring ventilation, but the chest compressions provided during CPR corrupt the capnogram and compromised the accuracy of automatic ventilation detectors” (p. 41).

The authors explored 83 episodes of cardiac arrest both in the hospital setting and outside the clinical setting, to determine the best practices for using capnography in resuscitation. The findings suggest that an approach using only a capnography tool can be a valid strategy in the resuscitation process. A study by Stites et al. (2017) revealed that capnography could reduce the number of opioid-induced respiratory issues.

The clinical setting observed by the authors implemented the utilization of capnography, and the outcomes suggest a statistically significant improvement in the PCA efforts. The methodology used by the authors of the explored studies suggests that short-term cohort research is the best practice for approaching the issue. Most researchers explored evidence by examining patient records, implying that retrospective studies are conventional approaches to discussing this topic.

Theme 2. The impact of nurse knowledge on patient outcomes

Education of medical personnel regarding the capnography tools and the interpretation of results has an impact on the use of this tool. While capnography has been used in a clinical setting for almost fifty years, some literature findings suggest the need to dedicate more attention towards educating medical personnel to use this method appropriately for monitoring a patient’s health state and detecting possible heart failure (Langham, Li, & Lichtor, 2017; Long, Koyfman, & Vivirito, 2017). This is a vital component that helps ensure that medical professionals can interpret the capnography traces adequately (Kerslake & Kellt, 2016; Clarke et al., 2018). Another aspect is the attitudes and perception of nurses that may view capnography as an unnecessary tool that obstructs rather than helps inpatient care.

Subtheme 1. Correlation between knowledge about a tool and its application in a healthcare setting

The ability to apply capnography is also affected by the technical expertise that enables using innovational instruments and tools, and it is essential to ensure that nurses possess sufficient knowledge to implement capnography in the critical care unit. Wright (2017) argues that “with overwhelming lack of proper training related to new technology devices such capnography, a sound developmental training program regarding the use of capnography can positively affect patient safety and outcomes” (p. 10).

The question of education and training proves to be an essential aspect in developing improvement practice suggestions since the ability to use the capnography is crucial for adequate measurement of CO2 levels and adjustment of resuscitation strategies in accordance to this assessment. The research conducted by White (2015) suggests that nurses who undergo a training showcase better knowledge of the appropriate application of capnography and studies by Saunders, Struya, Pollock, Mestek, and Lightdale (2017) and Subramani et al. (2016) focusing on the correlation between education or training and quality of work displayed by nurses support the conclusions. Since this aspect has clinical value and can impact patient outcomes, it is suggested to develop and implement education programs that target this problem.

Project 1. Not using capnography and implications of this approach

Assessment of death associated with failure to apply tools such as capnography can provide an insight into the severer of the problem. Pantazopoulos et al. (2015) argue that only 20% of patients that receive resuscitation survive, despite the recent advancements in the techniques and technology application used to monitor the process and improve the outcomes. Moreover, in the setting outside the hospital, the statistics suggest a survival rate of only 10%. Hence, determining the issues that contribute to the high mortality and possible best practices to help reduce the number of adverse incidents can help design guidelines for medical practitioners. One aspect is the application of capnography, which provides continuous monitoring of the patient’s respiratory system. The examined studies use quantitative approaches to assess the metrics associated with survival.

Project 2. Determining the need for supplemental training to facilitate capnography use

As was previously mentioned, some researchers point out that the use of capnography, as a part of CPR requires additional attention because the waveform can be distorted by chest compressions, indicating a need for additional training required for nurses working in CCUs. Leturiondo et al. (2018) state that over 70% of waveforms examined in their study was distorted because of resuscitation efforts. This requires the development of an algorithm specially tailored towards CPR that would mitigate the impact of chest compressions on capnography results, minimizing the distortion.

The focus of capnography application during resuscitation efforts is on determining whether the endotracheal tube was placed correctly, ensuring that the performed chest compressions are done correctly, and detecting ROSC. Additionally, Leturiondo et al. (2018) argue that capnography can be utilized to develop a prognosis for patients. Ventilation rate monitoring is essential during CPR because it helps nurses detect hyperventilation and prevent adverse patient events. Leturiondo et al. (2018) and Ristagno et al. (2015) state that in general visual inspection of the waveform is enough for tracking breathing patterns of individuals. Because the reliability of results produced through capnography during CRP can be questioned because of distortion, it is necessary to conduct further research.

Subtheme 2

Nurses and factors relating to their work have a direct impact on patient outcomes, and improvement of practice approaches or hospital environment can enhance health-related metrics in patients. This hypothesis suggests that a variety of factors, including the availability of capnography tools, is hospitals, skills that allow nurses to use and interpret waveforms, personnel perceptions of the technique, and the overall attitude of a healthcare organization can affect the practice of using capnography in CUU (Jaffe, 2017; Darocha et al., 2017).

The literature findings relating to these issues allow designing a questionnaire that will account for all aspects that obstruct or facilitate the utilization of capnography by nurses, making this DPI more comprehensive. The methodology used in studies by Gong, Lu, Zhang, Zhang, Li, (2015), Chhajed, et al. (2017), Darocha et al. (2017), is a mixed design, incorporating a qualitative assessment of nurses’ opinions, hospital managers perception of capnography, and quantitative analysis of patient data. This study will adopt the mixed design technique, which connects the views of medical professionals with actual data.

This topic was explored because the goal of this DPI project is to explore the relationships between nurses’ knowledge about capnography and its application to the number of adverse outcomes in CCUs. Therefore, the relationship between factors that impact a nurse’s work and professional qualities such as education or skills should be explored to determine the significance of this aspect. While alternative approaches to the issue may suggest that quality of care is facilitated only by the specifics of nurse training, it is evident that other factors contribute to this aspect as well.

Theme 3. Capnography can be used in a variety of settings, which requires specific practice protocols for using this tool in different situations

The focus of this practice improvement project is on critical care units, and resuscitation, but the overview of history suggests that capnography is applied in other hospital units, that have established standard guidelines for using capnography in a clinical setting. In general, capnography is usually used during anesthesia to monitor a patient’s respiratory function, and only in the recent years, the researches and practitioners began exploring the implications and benefits of using this monitoring tool in other hospital units.

This contributes to the understanding of the specific information that this DPI should investigate. The methods used in the different works of literature will be reviewed. Kerslake and Kelly (2016) state that “capnography can be used both for intubated and non-intubated patients” (p. 178).

The diversity of metrics that can be assessed using capnography present an understanding of the need to dedicate special attention towards educating medical personnel about how and when to use capnography and how to interpret the results. According to Kershake and Kelly (2016), capnography “can be used to detect displaced tracheal tubes and tracheostomy tubes and to diagnose inadvertent esophageal intubation” (p. 178). Additionally, the authors argue that this method can be applied to monitor the cardiovascular functions of a human’s body. This evidence suggests that capnography is a useful tool that can help enhance the process of patient resuscitation in CCU.

This paper focuses explicitly on emergencies and the prospects of using capnography to improve patient outcomes. The literature suggests that capnography can significantly improve the current practices of resuscitation and CPR. According to the European Resuscitation Council, capnography use “enable ROSC to be detected without pausing continuous chest compressions thereby improving quality of resuscitation and preventing the potential harm caused by administering a further bolus of adrenaline after ROSC” (as cited in Kellshake & Kelly, 2016). Therefore, nurses have to possess the knowledge regarding capnography in resuscitation and ability to recognize vital signs associated with ROSC. Cook and Garrop-Griffinth (2019) argue that the utilization of capnography in the varied clinical setting can serve as a measure for preventing deaths.

The authors’ base their conclusions on a study of contemporary practices applied in hospitals. The results suggest that a large percentage of individuals are dying due to misplaced tubes or esophageal intubation, which can be prevented by using capnography. The common reasons cited by the authors are the failure to use capnography and lack of education about this tool that would allow medical personnel to use it in case of emergencies.

Nurses’ ability to accurately identify patterns and interpret waveform results can help in preventing adverse respiratory events. Convey et al. (2019) state that respiratory depression can be detected more easily with the application of capnography while Pantazopoulos et al. (2015) state that “airway management, compression depth and chest recoil, hands-off time, and early defibrillation” are the critical measurements that capnography helps assess (p. 1053).

Airway management is the primary emphasis of this study since it can be used to adjust other elements of resuscitation efforts. However, Pantazopoulos et al. (2015) suggest that current guidelines on monitoring the CO2 levels in a patient gas sample lack clarity and require further examination to develop best practices. Monitoring end-tidal CO2 is used, which involves evaluating the pressure upon exhale. Hence, the importance of the topic discussed in this project is highlighted by this research because explored evidence suggests that a large number of healthcare professionals lack an understanding of how capnography can improve patient care during resuscitation and affect mortality rates.

One should note that conflicting evidence regarding the improvement of patient safety exists. Convey et al. (2019) state that their systematic review findings suggest that different randomized controlled trials produce varied results as some indicate significant improvement, while others suggest no statistically meaningful effect. This issue can be connected to the specifics of use and interpretation of waveforms, which requires the development of a cohesive training practice for nurses and guidelines regulating the application of capnography.

Another aspect that signifies the importance of adequate training that will enable nurses to use capnography in a CCU’s setting is the global initiative for using this method in healthcare to improve patient outcomes. This initiative focuses on the utilization of capnography during anesthetize, but it possible that the trend of using this tool will continue and further projects will aim to incorporate capnography in varied clinical settings.

An essential aspect of this project is the ability to accurately assess and measure nurses’ knowledge of capnography use in the CUU setting to be able to compare the two variables. Kiekkas et al. (2016) developed a questionnaire that allows accomplishing this goal titled Nurses’ Knowledge about Capnography Test (NKCT). The questions incorporated in this assessment aim to evaluate the understanding of capnography functions, aspects of end-tidal CO2 levels, waveform interpretation, and specifics of using capnography in a clinical setting.

Ruiz de Gauna et al. (2018) state that chest compression artifact suppressing removes the distortion from waveforms, while studies by Aramendi et al. (2018) and Leturiondo et al. (2018) and Turle, Sherren, Nicholson, Callaghan, and Shepherd (2015) suggest applying automated respiratory monitoring with specific algorithms that help disregard the impact of chest compressions of capnography results. Arguably, the application of such a strategy would require an even more in-depth knowledge of technology from nurses who would use this instrument in their practice during CPRs.

Because of capnography solidifying itself as a preventative measure in accessing CO2 levels and in CPR response, its use within these types of settings should be further researched. De Caen and Maconochie (2018) argue that “Recent systematic reviews suggest, however, that using specific EtCO2 values to guide patient care during adult cardiac arrest is based upon low-quality evidence” (p. 2). Hence, the lack of high-quality literature and reliable data regarding cut-offs and respiratory patterns measured with capnography can explain why the perception of this technique and its use by nurses during CPR is insufficient. Regarding outcome predictions, several studies suggest that capnography can be applied when determining the patient’s state upon CPR.

Subtheme 3. Nurses’ use of capnography affects their decisions regarding patients

As was previously mentioned, capnography can help develop a prognosis for patients, both during resuscitation and monitoring. Zitto, Berardinelli, Butler, Morrison, and Albert (2019) focused their attention on how nurses use capnography results to make decisions regarding patient discharges, using confidence levels assessment. This cross-sectional study observed 133 patients before and after ETCO2 assessments and measured nurses’ perception of the patient’s readiness for discharge. While this study does not provide a follow up illustrating the accuracy of predictions based on readmissions, it is evident that nurses change their prognosis based on the outcomes of ETCO2 levels assessment.

As was previously mentioned, despite that fact that capnography is mainly applied in the operating theatre, most cases of airway complications occur outside this setting. Hence, a need to evaluate the number of such cases and the readiness of nurses to apply capnography in units such as CCU arises. Turle, Sherren, Nicholson, Callaghan, and Shepherd (2015) examined the availability of the actual capnography devices in hospitals across the United Kingdom. This study helps understand whether medical personnel use capnography and compare with patient outcomes.

The methodology applied for the study involves a telephone questionnaire that allowed the researchers to examine the practices of emergency departments and intensive care units concerning their application of capnography. This methodology is consistent with the approach chosen for this DPI, suggesting the validity of findings produced though a questionnaire and quantitative assessments. Out of 211 establishments, only four did not have the equipment necessary to conduct capnography assessment, and only 50% of respondents stated that capnography was used to measure the efficiency of CPR (Turle et al., 2015).

These findings indicate the inefficiency of use connected to capnography utilization in the United Kingdom hospitals. In addition, this study suggests that most establishments lacked the necessary equipment to perform the measurement in general wards. Capnography is currently the most efficient way of evaluating the effectiveness of CPR in a hospital setting. This contributes to this DPI because the factor outlines the reasoning for a need to improve the practice of using capnography during CPR in CCUs. Yilmaz et al. (2018) examined carotid doppler ultrasonography in comparison with capnography to determine the benefits and limitations of the two techniques. In this study, the patients treated with both methods were examined, and the findings suggest that capnography provides a significantly better evaluation of the ETCO2 levels.

Cereceda-Sánchez and Molina-Mula (2017) reviewed the prospects of using capnography in the ED setting for detecting metabolic changes in patients. Since the article is a systemic literature review, the methodology that the authors used involved an examination of 17 studies focusing on the specifics of capnography. The findings suggest that this tool is efficient and cost-effective, which further promotes the need to develop and implement strategies promoting the use of it in the hospital setting.

It is also necessary to understand that nurses in different departments can use capnography, and the decision-making process should incorporate a variety of patient-related factors. Bullock, Dodington, Donoghue, and Langhan (2017) examine patient cases of resuscitation in a pediatric department to identify whether the guidelines by the American Heart Association (AHA) in 2010 are applicable and the specifics of utilizing capnography depending on patient characteristics.

The research methodology involved a retrospective review of charts assessing data such as trauma, sex, age, capnography results, and patient outcomes. The conclusions suggest that the use of capnography in CPR procedures is inadequate since it was applied in only 13% of cases despite the recommendations produced by AHA (Bullock et al., 2017). Moreover, the case reports indicate that individuals who had CPR with capnography were more prone to have a spontaneous circulation in comparison to patients not receiving it.

The overall duration of CPR procedures was longer in cases when capnography was applied by the medical personnel suggesting that this instrument improves the accuracy of patient prognosis. This study, alongside other evidence, contributes to this DPI because it highlights the benefits of capnography and lack of its proper application in the United States hospitals.

Subtheme 4. Resuscitation-specific capnography utilization

Capnography is a valuable tool that allows for enhancing the process of monitoring a patient’s respiratory function in an emergency scenario, making it relevant during resuscitation attempts. Examination of the capnography in emergency department helps outline the basis for interview topics that will be applied for this DPI. Haines (2017) examined guidelines and practices used in emergency departments (ED) to provide a qualitative assessment of the capnography application and its benefits.

Since patients in the EDs are at high risk of developing complications because of the respiratory function impairment, this information helps improve the DPI by providing explanations of the application and possible reasoning that explains why this instrument is underused in the United States hospitals. Haines’ (2017) findings are complicit with those of other authors arguing that capnography is beneficial during CPR since it allows the medical personnel to provide continuous chest compressions without a need to check the patient’s pulse.

Project 2. Models of capnography measurement differ and can affect patient outcomes

Although capnography as an instrument is not difficult to apply in a clinical setting because it is non-invasive and requires only the presence of a capnography and a medical professional capable of interpreting the results, there a variety of algorithms and strategies for using this instrument suggested by research, which can make it difficult for nurses to use one approach. Capnography is more efficient when compared to other respiratory monitoring techniques, for instance, pulse oximetry can be used to detect hypoxia, but the results are not produced continuously (Haines, 2017).

Capnography is a non-invasive technique that does not require additional preparations for use, but one should consider the different instruments and their appropriateness within the CCU setting. According to Kellshake and Kelly (2016) currently, two models of applying capnography tools and measuring the CO2 levels exist. The first one is side stream analyzer, which implies taking a sample of gas from the patient’s respiratory tube and placing it in the humidifier filter. This approach is applied in a setting for non-intubated patients because it is more comfortable, and the equipment required for analysis is less bulky when compared to the other two methods. Mainstream analyzers use infrared light that scans the ventilation circuit.

This method is more suitable for monitoring patients during resuscitation.

Some researchers explored the different combinations of tools and techniques to develop the best practice of applying capnography, which can be used in practice improvement. Salen et al. (2001) explored the possibility of combining capnography tools with a cardiac sonographer in order to improve the procedure of patient resuscitation. The objective was to measure the accuracy of predicting resuscitation outcomes using the two instruments in the emergency department (ED). The results support the hypothesis that the combination of the two techniques helps improve the processes of resuscitation and improves patient survival rates.

Subtheme 2. Issues associated with capnography may lead to uncertainties that obstruct nurses from using this tool

While capnography as a tool is relatively simple to apply, the indications of the waveform can be misleading, as several problems with the use of this technique exist. For example, Haines (2017) states that condensation is a common problem that requires medical personnel to remove the tube and flush it with a syringe. The contribution of this topic to the DPI is the need to assess nurses’ knowledge of the troubleshooting techniques that they may need to utilize when using capnography. Another example is a disconnected ventilator that produces a flat trace on the waveform, an indication like that when a patient is not breathing.

Failure to interpret the results leads to the inability of the personnel to recognize esophageal intubation, which leads to either severe brain damage or death (Turle et al., 2015). This suggests that nurse education should incorporate the specifics of using capnography during CPR to ensure that this condition is recognized in time. In addition, some details of waveform interpretation exist since patients who had cardiac arrest caused by respiratory failure tend to have higher ETCO2 levels when compared to others (Turle et al., 2015). Therefore, capnography use and interpretation requires a substantial knowledge from a medical professional using the instrument and suggests that nurses’ lack of confidence to apply it can be associated with insufficient experience or training.

Theme 4. Correlation between CPR results and capnography application

This contributes to the purpose of the DPI because empirical evidence and theoretical knowledge about the utilization of capnography in resuscitation can design the questionnaire for nurses to determine their attitudes towards this instrument. Lampe (2017) states that air pressure monitoring are uncommon in non-emergency settings, despite the evidence suggesting that this approach improves the accuracy of CRP. An exploration of the specifics of using capnography during CPR will help enhance the understanding of the knowledge that nurses should possess to use capnography during cardiac arrest.

Subtheme 1. Strategies for overcoming improper waveform interpretation

Researchers such as Aramendi et al. (2018) were able to develop algorithms that allow medical personnel to use programs in a more advanced way, more specifically, for determining the location of ventilation. Hence, it is possible to distinguish between breaths and chest compressions using waveforms. This study has several implications for the burses; it implies the need to improve their current knowledge by providing them with the described algorithm. This can help enhance their confidence in using the technique as well. Additionally, this improves the CRP process in general by mitigating risks of hyperventilation, which is often associated with adverse patient outcomes.

Subtheme 2. Evidence and data are suggesting the prevalence of utilizing capnography during CPR

Nassar and Kerber (2017) argue that despite the significant prevalence of poor outcomes associated with CPR and a large volume of evidence-based research providing guidelines regarding best practices within this domain, the adherence to these suggestions in clinical settings remains low. This suggestion supports the primary claim of this DPI and highlights the need to determine what factors impact the lack of capnography application during CPR and develop interventions that can address these problems.

Nassar and Kerber (2017) state that “feedback devices provide instantaneous guidance to the rescuer, improve rescuer technique, and could impact patient outcomes” (p. 1061). While in their systematic review, the authors cite several elements that contribute to the improvement of CPR practices, capnography is a critical aspect in monitoring chest compression and tracking the return of spontaneous circulation. During CPR, capnography can be used to eliminate insufficiency of chest compressions, since a drop in the ETCO2 levels serves as a good indicator for the issue. Moreover, the recommendations provided by the AHA suggest reaching the level of 20 ETCO2 before examining ROSC.

Project 1. Perception of capnography application during CPR

The previous study suggests that the prevalence of capnography use among nurses use during CPR remains low. However, it is possible that other factors, apart from knowledge and perception, obstruct the adoption of this respiration-monitoring tool. Sahyoun, Siliciano, and Kessler (2018) developed a questionnaire for hospital managers to examine whether the hospitals in the United States and more specifically in the state of New York had equipment that would allow them to use capnography during resuscitation. Hence, the contribution of this research is the ability to evaluate whether nurses have access to these devices and if the lack of capnography tools contributes to the insufficient confidence associated with using these instruments during CPR.

Moreover, this study allowed assessing the attitudes of providers towards using capnography in resuscitation, which is a valuable input into understanding the issue. Sahyoun, Siliciano, and Kessler (2018) state that 95% of the respondents had the devices that allow their personnel monitoring ETCO2 and 97% implemented a protocol for applying them. However, only 54% reported having a protocol tailored explicitly for CPR, which is consistent with the findings of studies by Dioso (2017) and other studies mentioned in this review. The conclusion can be made that despite the availability of capnography, hospital personnel may have difficulty applying these tools because no protocol or guideline that would help them is in place. This supports the need for developing this DPI and introducing it to hospitals in the state.

The assessment of the views of capnography and its actual application in the United Kingdom suggest that more efforts should be dedicated to promoting this approach. Sahyoun, Siliciano, and Kessler (2018) and Duckworth (2017), Hamrick et al. (2017) suggest that the providers in the United States do not perceive capnography as a potent tool for examining the return of spontaneous circulation and have a neutral view of this tool in the context of resuscitation, despite evidence suggesting the efficiency of this method. Hence, the issue is global, and the availability of capnography tools does not result in the application of them by medical personnel.

Kerslake and Kelly (2016) stated that “failure to use capnography in patients dependent on artificial airway caused 70% of ICU-related airway deaths in NAP4” (p. 178). One aspect of the issue is the perception of this tool and the knowledge that allows nurses to use it in emergencies such as CPR. Evidence provided by Clarke et al. (2018) suggests that a large percentage of the observed medical professionals avoid using capnography on the floor since they do not understand the benefits.

Subtheme 3. Enhanced CPR protocol incorporating capnography

One can argue that the lack of guidelines and efforts dedicated to ensuring that hospitals use capnography harms patients when those efforts are not consistent. Carlisle (2015) aimed to develop a standardized protocol for using capnography during resuscitation for opioid-induced respiratory depression (OIRD). This article targets explicitly nurses and their ability to use the tool during CPR. Carliste (2015), and Hassankhani, Aghdam, Rahmani, and Mohammadpoorfard (2015) cites education as a vital factor for promoting the utilization of capnography in a clinical setting.

The findings are based on the nurse interviews regarding the application of the protocol, and the answers suggest that issues are connected not only to the availability of devices and to the system issues and lack of patient adherence. Whitaker and Benson (2016) indicate that approximately 74% of deaths in intensive care units (ICU) can be prevented if capnography monitoring is implemented as standard practice. The primary goal of this strategy is to improve patient safety; hence, the authors also recommend using a standardized protocol and providing nurses with additional training that would fill the gaps in knowledge and understanding of the interpretation of capnography.

Subtheme 4. Other implications of CPR and capnography

Kodali and Urman (2014) suggest that universal application this tool during CPR will allow creating a database of waveforms that can be utilized to improve the existing protocols. Hence, the promotion of using this methodology will help further enhance the practice. Kodali and Urman (2014) conducted a literature search to locate evidence supporting the benefits of capnography in resuscitation published from 1960 and concluded that historically the interpretation of outcomes and attitudes regarding the predictions and evaluating that can be made using this approach changed, since it is accepted that “presence of small obtunded CO2 waveforms during CPR reinforces tracheal location of an endotracheal tube” (p. 332).

In general, capnography use during resuscitation requires the knowledge of not only waveform interpretation, but also the understanding of distortions caused by CPR. This theme relates to the DPI project because one can hypothesize that the complexity of using capnography during resuscitation can be a curial factor contributing to nurses’ lack of confidence when using capnography, especially in emergency cases.

Summary

Overall, the problem that this project explores is the practice of using capnography in the CCU setting during patient resuscitation and the impact of nurses’ knowledge about the tool on the prevalence of use and CPR outcomes. The origin of the issue is connected to evidence presented by scholars, suggesting that nurses both in the United States and in Europe do not apply capnography to guide cardiac massage and track respiratory patterns of patients, despite the availability of capnography tools (Wright, 2017).

This project aims to improve the lack of understanding associated with the perception and knowledge of capnography utilization and patient outcomes. Works, similar to the study by Sahyoun, Siliciano, and Kessler (2018), aim to examine the problem of knowledge about capnography, perception, and the frequency of application. However, the sample size is little, suggesting that more attention should be dedicated to the problem of correlation between knowledge and application. The current literature lacks a study that would focus on this factor and use qualitative design.

The empirical evidence on the topic of capnography suggests that in most cases, using capnography during CPR improves the accuracy of cardiac massage and survival chances. The problem has evolved historically since initially capnography was developed as an instrument applied during anesthesia, but current trends suggest that it can improve the care across many domains (Jooste et al., 2019). However, the ability to use capnography is obstructed by the lack of knowledge and training. Capnography allows medical professionals to monitor a patient’s well-being in CCUs units and nurses in these units should receive not only protocols or guidelines but also adequate training on capnography.

In general, the application of capnography across different domains of patient care becomes more popular. The main trends in applying capnography for patient monitoring within the CCU settings are connected to the promotion of using this tool and improvement of result interpretation that can be obstructed by distortions (Aramendi et al., 2017; Chicote et al., 2019). The primary trend that prevails in the literature is the adoption of capnography for use in a different medical setting, including CCU.

The expansion of the use scope for this instrument suggests that many hospitals will want to have capnography available at each ward, further emphasizing the need to examine personnel’s ability to use this tool correctly (Kellshake & Kelly, 2016). In addition, many researchers develop specific algorithms, including computer programs that help enhance the result interpretation or automate the process of monitoring using capnography (Chicote et al., 2019). One can argue that the general trend is the application of capnography across different units and the improvement of application strategies.

Many studies are based on a small research sample of 20-30 nurses or patients, which can mean underrepresentation. The authors generalize the findings to create a conclusion based on the evidence they collect (Kellshake & Kelly, 2019; Jooste et al., 2019). From this perspective, one can argue that the evidence supporting the efficiency of using capnography in CUU during resuscitation is not justified.

However, other studies focus on exploring patient records to determine the effect of resuscitation using capnography on mortality, which can incorporate sufficient samples. Conflicts in methodology are connected to the prevalence of quantitative studies that assess the availability of capnography tools, the number of cases where it was applied, and outcomes. Hence, a significant gap in the literature is the lack of evidence that would provide an understanding of nurses’ knowledge of capnography and attitudes towards using this tool. Prior research is done on the topic that explores the chosen phenomena is assessing the prevalence and specifics of nurses using capnography and suggest that in most cases, this instrument is not applied during CPR.

Hence, the phenomena explored in this project are nurses’ knowledge, capnography use during CPR, and patient mortality and the connection between these factors. The majority of the examined studies focus on the advances of using capnography and the specifics of its application (Kellshake & Kelly, 2016). Additionally, it can be argued that a gap in understanding the nurses’ knowledge and its impact on the perception of a tool exists since; suggesting that projects similar to this DPI can enhance the procedures at hospitals.

The methodologies and design used to explore the topic of capnography for resuscitation is an assessment of nurses’ knowledge regarding the use and result interpretation using questionnaires or observations. The literature relates to the DPI since it explores the issue of resuscitation and the benefits of using capnography when measuring CO2 levels. While evidence suggests that using capnography, during resuscitation helps decrease mortality rates, some medical professionals do not use this tool and the ability to identify what factors influence this choice can help design interventions and practice improvement strategies that target the problem (Wright, 2017; de Caen & Maconochie, 2018).

Since this DPI project is qualitative, the studies were chosen for the literature review that explores the phenomena of capnography, its application in CCU, and nurse’s impact on patient outcomes. In this way, the practices and best approaches for using capnography were located that allows one to understand the specifics of this tool. Besides, the qualitative review allows comparing and contrasting different methods and the evolution of using capnography in CPR.

The reason why a qualitative methodology with an application of interviews and assessment of nurses’ knowledge about capnography was chosen for this project is connected to the scope of this DPI. The main goal is to determine the underlying issues obstructing medical professionals from using this tool despite the existing guidelines and evidence that support the necessity of incorporating capnography in resuscitation protocol. The appropriateness of the DPI’s strategies recommended by the similarities of design in the examined studies since the ones relating to the use of capnography in a clinical setting employed questionnaires and knowledge tests, as well as data such as mortality rates, slimily to the approach chosen for this DPI.

The comparison of a different perspective on the topic of capnography displayed in the literature suggests that although this tool is helpful in enhancing CPR efforts, the accuracy of results can be impacted by chest compressions and further improvement of this technique is necessary. On the one hand, the evidence suggests that capnography significantly improves the chances of survival (Wright, 2017). On the other, additional algorithms and strategies may be utilized to ensure that respiratory patterns are identified correctly. Chapter 3 will focus on exploring the clinical question and on the methodology used for this DPI, using the literature findings.

Methodology

This DPI project focuses on nurses’ knowledge of capnography techniques as they pertain to capnography and its connection with the application of capnography use within a coronary care unit. To validate the arguments set forth; a mixed study of quantitative and qualitative data would be presented to explore the correlational relationship between nursing knowledge of the utilization of capnography and how its usage is pertinent in positive outcome generation with the coronary care units.

The clinical questions to be addressed are whether nurses’ knowledge of capnography impacts the frequency of using this tool during resuscitation and whether nurses’ knowledge of capnography impacts their compliance with capnography guidelines and procedures. Improving nursing knowledge in capnography is essential in increasing the quality of care and resuscitation efforts in generating positive outcomes for patient success rates and promoting increased patient outcomes. This chapter of the proposal will explore the methodology to be used in greater depth, including sampling procedures, data collection instruments, and data analysis methods in the evaluation of the premise set forth.

Statement of the Problem

Nurses working in coronary care units, where the risk of cardiac arrest is high are required to use evidence-based tools and strategies to reduce patient mortality (Israel, 2014; Jaffe, 2017). The capnography tool provides details about the patient’s condition, and assists care providers track changes in the patient’s requirements to avoid complications (Heradstveit & Heltne, 2014; Pantazopoulos et al., 2015). Capnography proved to be effective in promoting increased patient outcomes in the detection of abnormalities associated with fluctuations in CO2 levels and following cardiac arrests (Cereceda-Sánchez & Molina-Mula, 2017; Chhajed et al., 2016; Darocha et al., 2017; Hassankhani, Aghdam, Rahmani, & Mohammadpoorfard, 2015).

The widespread application of capnography during resuscitation attempts within specific clinical settings has yet to be achieved due to the lack of specialized training that focuses on the study and understanding of its use (Dioso, 2014; Duckworth, 2017). This subject has not been addressed in literature specifically since most studies focused on the various applications and benefits of capnography. Hence, it is not known whether increased nurses’ knowledge of capnography is associated with improved use of this tool during cardiopulmonary resuscitation.

The problem discussed above affects various patient populations who are at risk of a cardiac arrest, including patients in coronary care units as well as those with chronic cardiovascular conditions. The barriers to consistent implementation of capnography use within a critical care setting prevent care providers from delivering the highest quality of care, thus posing a risk for patients’ survival during a cardiac arrest. Hence, it is essential to study the factors that could hinder the use of capnography in high-risk settings, as this would help to develop evidence-based strategies to enhance capnography use.

Evidence of a positive relationship between nurses’ knowledge of capnography, their readiness to use this tool, and the correctness of capnography techniques would help to fill the gap in current literature expanding on the significance of these techniques. This, in turn, would lead to improvements in nurse’s knowledge and education, establishing a positive influence on survival rates and the quality of care provided to patients.

This DPI improvement project aims at contributing and addressing the hypothesis set forth by evidence on one of the probable factors affecting the use of capnography in coronary care units with emphasis placed on nursing knowledge in the implementation of care practices. Scholars have suggested that insufficient understanding of capnography among care providers may lead to poor readiness to use the tool or incorrect application (Lin et al., 2017; Novais & Moreira, 2015; Pantazopoulos et al., 2015).

These views have not been explored in-depth, and as a result, the evidence to improve education and level of knowledge in capnography among nurses is currently lacking. By exploring the relationship between nurses’ knowledge and their use of capnography during resuscitation efforts, evidence to support or disprove these claims can be provided in this project and its focus. This, in turn, would lead to more informed quality improvement initiatives that would target the core of the issue to enhance capnography use. By providing evidence supporting or disproving the association between nurses’ knowledge and the use of capnography, this project will thus aid in developing interventions aimed at reducing mortalities from cardiac arrest.

Clinical Question

After the evaluation of current evidence and the clarification of the problem statement, three clinical questions were developed for this DPI project. These clinical questions were designed to address the problem statement by reviewing the relationship between nurses’ knowledge of capnography and their use of this tool during resuscitation.

• Q1. Does nurses’ knowledge of capnography impact the frequency of using this tool during resuscitation?

Answer: This variable is important because it is suggested that nurses who have inadequate knowledge of capnography would be hesitant to use this tool due to its complexity (Lin et al., 2017; Novais & Moreira, 2015; Pantazopoulos et al., 2015).

A lack of expertise required skills and training in interpretation of ETCO2 levels in emergency situations can place nurses at a disadvantage thus deciding not to use the tool altogether and creating a delay in care by stalling emergency procedures. Alternatively, they could lack an understanding of the benefits of capnography, which would reduce their motivation to apply it to achieve better patient outcomes.

• Q2. Does nurses’ knowledge of capnography impact their compliance with capnography guidelines and procedures?

Answer: This variable is essential since it suggests whether compliance with capnography guidelines and procedures can affect compliance with its use. As discussed by Novais and Moreira (2015), capnography is a relatively complicated technique, and thus it must be applied in accordance with relevant guidelines and procedures. Using capnography during resuscitation and doing so by following clinical instructions would yield maximum benefits for patients during a cardiac arrest. Capnography is applied during cardiopulmonary resuscitation.

• Q3. Does nursing knowledge affect documentation efforts as they pertain to capnography validation?

Answer: This third variable examines the correctness of the documentation of capnography efforts. Although capnography has been utilized, data collection of capnographic events should consistently be recorded.

Based on the selected questions, nurses’ knowledge was chosen as one of the three key variables to be investigated. Nurses’ knowledge reflects nurses’ education, skills, and experience in capnography use encapsulating the center of all the variables mentioned.

In order to collect information related to the three variables, the project will use two different data collection methods: qualitative as well as quantitative data validation analysis. Initially, the nursing knowledge about capnography test will be used to test coronary care nurses’ level of knowledge on capnography (Kiekkas, Stefanopoulos, Konstantinou, Bakalis, & Aretha, 2016). This tool provides a quantitative measure of capnography knowledge, which is useful for getting objective results that can prove helpful in accessing nursing knowledge in their confidence of utilizing the capnography instrument during resuscitation practices and ECO2 monitoring and interventions (Barnham, 2016; Kiekkas et al., 2016).

Secondly, observations will be used to determine the use of capnography and its correctness. This will be provided through the utilization of the facility approved capnography evaluation sheet that will record all the codes occurring within the CCU setting. This sheet will not only record the correctness into the use of the capnography practice but also will be accessed for consistency in this practice.

Lastly, the quality improvement nurse would provide quantitative observations in the form of a capnography event sheet placed in a binder with a recorded score of the capnographic events in the CCU. For example, after each code, the capnography event binder would have data on the capnography event recorded by a nurse on the unit. In the event of a cardiac arrest, examination, and comparison of the consistency, reliability, and validity of the findings through the data collected would be beneficial for the project, because it enables the assessment of procedures in an objective manner, thus preventing bias or data distortion (Nelson, 2018).

Quantitative observations could also be helpful in structuring the results for further analysis. For instance, during an inspection of the clinical practice of nurses’ in cardiac events, noting the presence of the appropriate techniques and the overall level of compliance with capnography procedures can be accessed. This would increase the accuracy of results and provide more in-depth information into the benefits and limitations of the results obtained.

Analysis of the results using quantitative methods, including statistical, correlation, and regression analysis, would help to clarify the relationship between the two variables. Regarding the impact of capnography, knowledge on capnography use during resuscitation practices and procedures by the nurses’ on the coronary care unit would be addressed. Hence, the chosen design supports the purpose of the project and is most appropriate for answering the identified proposed questions.

Project Methodology

The methodology selected for the project would be a mixed study involving qualitative as well as a quantitative approach with emphasis placed on quantitative validation processes. This is justified by the need to explore the subject from an objective viewpoint. The primary benefits of quantitative methods are that they provide accurate numerical information reducing the risk of bias. Additionally, according to the Center for Innovation in Research and Teaching (n.d.a; n.d.b), quantitative methods focus on providing a vast scope of information rather than on exploring the variables in-depth. This means that such methods could be useful in settings where there is a need to collect as much information as possible and draw sound conclusions from it.

In the present case, gathering more information would benefit the project presented by providing more evidence of a correlation between the variables or lack thereof. The data collected in quantitative research is also simplistic in its nature, which makes it particularly useful for observing changes in variables and analyzing data for correlations (Ali & Bhaskar, 2016; Heale & Twycross, 2015; Leppink, O’Sullivan, & Winston, 2016; Watson, 2015).

Quantitative data sources are particularly helpful in obtaining evidence about the effects of one variable on the other, which is the primary goal of this project. In fact, it is more useful and practical than the alternative qualitative methodology. In contrast with quantitative data sources, qualitative methods focus on obtaining meaningful information about the participants’ attitudes and beliefs and allow doing so by enhancing the depth of data collected (Austin & Sutton, 2014; Barnham, 2015; Flanagan, Greenfield, Coad, & Neilson, 2015; Gunnell, 2016).

Qualitative research focuses on the participants’ perceptions rather than on objective information. In this DPI improvement project, qualitative methods would allow the exploration and examination of nurses’ beliefs about their own knowledge into the implementation of capnography usage and its importance. This information would be specific to the project’s sample and can render it impossible to use if based solely on the qualitative piece alone when executed into practice (Barnham, 2015).

Concerning the second and third variables, qualitative observations would also be less useful because the flow of information will be less structured, thus making it more challenging to establish a correlation (Nelson, 2018). This means that the analysis of the information from qualitative data sources would not be useful in a way that would help to answer the identified clinical questions.

The selected methodology is better suited to answer the posed clinical questions in two ways. By allowing the evaluation of the level of knowledge about capnography objectively, in contrast with qualitative methods, an establishment of the correlation among nursing knowledge could be examined. Given the nature of the problem at hand, evaluating factual knowledge is more important because it provides more information about the effectiveness of nursing education in capnography. Secondly, quantitative data obtained through observations would be more structured, thus making it easier to analyze how nurses’ knowledge translates into their practice. Both benefits would assist in answering the clinical questions using reliable information, thus providing the insight required for quality improvement in nursing education.

Project Design

The chosen design is quantitative correlational methodology, which fits the purpose of the project and will assist in responding to both clinical questions. Correlational research is a type of quantitative analysis that focuses on measuring the relationship between two or more variables (Cronin, Coughan, & Smith, 2014). According to Curtis, Comiskey, and Dempsey (2016), “findings from correlational research can be used to determine prevalence and relationships among variables and to forecast events from current data and knowledge” (p. 20).

This is particularly relevant to the project because the clinical questions identified in the previous sections focus on the relationship between nurses’ knowledge of capnography (independent variable), their use of the tool (dependent variable), and the correctness of capnography use in resuscitation (dependent variable). Applying correlational sources into practice would assist in answering both clinical questions with a higher degree of certainty, which will support the fulfillment of the project’s purpose.

Quantitative results obtained through correlational research would also assist in practice improvement. For instance, if the results indicate that higher levels of nurses’ knowledge about capnography result in the more frequent and correct use of the tool, this conclusion could be used as a framework for educational interventions targeting capnography use in a coronary care unit setting. The correlational methodology uses quantitative data collection methods, including tests, surveys, and quantitative observations (Ingham-Broomfield, 2014).

These methods are also appropriate for the selected project focus and clinical questions because they would allow collecting information about the three variables. One of the most significant features that distinguish correlational data sources from other types of quantitative studies is that the variables are not manipulated in any way (Price, Jhangiani, Chiang, Leighton, & Cuttler, n.d.). Combined with the chosen data collection methods, this will allow producing objective data with as little bias as possible and make explicit judgments regarding the relationship between the three variables.

Data analysis methods are critical to correlational data studies in that they assist in determining any relationships that may exist between the variables. The visual representation of data through a scattergram is used as a primary measure to show a correlation (Cronin et al., 2014). The analysis of a scattergram is used to determine the correlation coefficient r, which can be anywhere between -1 (perfect negative correlation) and 1 (perfect positive correlation) (Cronin et al., 2014). Regression or multiple regression analysis is used to determine whether changes in one variable predict changes in another, thus also contributing to the correlation (Cronin et al., 2014).

Both data analysis methods will help to answer the clinical questions posed for the project by identifying the correlation between nurses’ capnography knowledge and their use of capnography. The information regarding the strength of the association will also be necessary for examining nurses’ knowledge of capnography use. For example, if the identified correlation is positive and very strong, nursing education aims to increase nurses’ capnography knowledge likely result in significant improvements in the use of capnography. Therefore, the correlational design will formulate answers by providing meaningful information that could be used in practice improvements.

To summarize, the correlational design suits the purpose and goals of the project and will help to answer the clinical questions. In order to collect data on the three variables, two separate quantitative instruments will be used: The Nurses’ Knowledge about Capnography Test- also known as the NKCT and quantitative data sources provided through the examination of the capnography score sheet. The NKCT tool will be applied to collect data on nurses’ knowledge of capnography, whereas quantitative observations using the capnography score sheet will determine the use of capnography and its correctness (Kiekkas et al., 2016; Nelson, 2018).

Once the data for all variables are provided, data analysis procedures in accordance with the correlational design will be applied. First, a scattergram and the correlation coefficient will help to determine the presence of a relationship and its characteristics. Then, regression analysis will be applied to determine the predictive value of the independent variable (nurses’ knowledge of capnography) on the dependent ones (capnography use and its correctness). Following the procedures of the correlational design will help to answer the clinical questions for the project and provide data for practice improvements in capnography use.

Population and Sample Selection

The populations relevant to the study are nurses working in a coronary care unit environment or a coronary care unit setting. The sample population includes nurses working in a coronary care unit. This setting was chosen because there is a high incidence of cardiac arrests, and thus nurses are often involved in cardiopulmonary resuscitation. The inclusion criteria require nurses who are qualified to provide emergency procedures during cardiac arrest based on their certification, and the sample will include at least 120 nurses from this population. Collection of the data from quantitative data sources in the examination into the knowledge of nurses and the use of capnography will be assessed (Ingham-Broomfield, 2014).

The number of nurses displaying knowledge of capnography use as well as proper implementation of the tool during cardiac events in addition to correct utilization of the capnography instruments will be explored to assure adherence in the validation of the data obtained. The selected sample size is rather small for a quantitative study because this design implies collecting data from as many random charts and nurses as possible (Cronin et al., 2014). This is because the size of the sample in this project is constricted by the geographical location of the project and the focus on coronary care units, which limits the number of nurses available for the study.

Nevertheless, since the project does not follow an experimental design, which would require setting the sample size based on power analysis, the selected sample size will likely be enough for a correlational design (Cronin et al., 2014). This DPI practice improvement project will start with obtaining approval from the hospital chosen for the analysis of the study. In order to identify potential participants in the DPI project, the researcher will apply a formulated survey of the nurses working in the coronary care unit of the named institution.

The use of quantitative data source examination would be explored for the study, along with the nurse’s responses to survey questions presented. Nurses will be contacted by e-mail and provided with the necessary information about the project, results, and findings. In order to protect the confidentiality of the nurses and maintain their anonymity in the evaluation of the study and its effects, names, and addresses would not be required in the answering of survey questions. Any identifying information will be stored safely on a password-protected computer and destroyed one year after the end of the project. Additionally, this information will not be used in the project manuscript and will thus remain secret to third parties.

The geographic specifications of the project mean that nurses will be recruited from a single state; in this case, New Jersey, where the evaluation of this DPI improvement project would be performed. Nurses will not have to travel to take the test or participate in observations; instead, all data collection procedures will be conducted at their place of work in a way that does not impair the workflow.

Instrumentation or Sources of Data

There are three separate variables for which data will be collected: nurses’ knowledge of capnography, the use of capnography during resuscitation, and the correctness of capnography use. The type of data for all variables will be quantitative, but the data will come from two different sources. The NKCT will be used to collect the required data on the first variable. This tool was developed by Kiekkas et al. (2016) and included 30 correct and wrong statements about capnography. The items are separated into four groups: principles of capnography function, conditions affecting end-tidal CO2 pressure, conditions affecting capnography waveform, and indications for capnography use (Kiekkas et al., 2016).

The test will be delivered to all nurses identified through probability sampling and marked on correctness to determine the level of capnography knowledge. The test will be scored on a 30-point scale, and thus the results will be quantitative. Another source of data used in the project will be the quantitative capnography documentation sheet that specifies how capnography events are recorded in the event of cardiac arrests. A nurse that has participated in the experiment can find this tool in a binder outlining cardiac events and recording of the data.

Data items on two variables will be collected during observations: binary data reflecting the fact of capnography use during resuscitation (used/not used) and the level of compliance with procedural guidelines for capnography, measured in percentage scores. As the basis for observations, the instructions provided by the Bureau of Emergency Medical Services Trauma, and Preparedness will be used (BETP, 2017).

These guidelines detail capnography procedures, including the positioning of the CO2 sensor, the documentation of findings, and manipulations for the loss of CO2 detection or waveform (BETP, 2017). The activities of the nurse during cardiopulmonary resuscitation will be marked on a scale of 0-4, with one mark for every item category of the guidelines (Placement, Monitoring, Documentation, and Correction).

The coded values will be transformed into a percentage score to ease the analysis. Qualitative observations into the survey utilized to test nurse confidence in incorporating capnography within their practice would also be examined. Assessing nurses’ knowledge of capnography and any barriers that may present themselves as to its use would formulated. This would be to ensure that nursing knowledge is not limited in preventing the utilization of capnography as an improvement measurement but would expand on the knowledge base of its importance by validating the quantitative data presented and addressing any misconceptions in hypothetical application and execution.

Validity

To ensure the validity of the findings, the project will use two strategies. First, it will apply a tested instrument to measure nurses’ knowledge of capnography. The NKCT has already been evaluated for its validity specifically in its use to construct validity using techniques designed to test the relationship between NKCT and knowledge base of nurses in capnography (Kiekkas et al., 2016). The authors used nurses’ experience in anesthesiology department and the date of introduction of capnography to the said department to determine nurses’ capnography experience, whereas education levels were derived from nurses’ qualifications (Kiekkas et al., 2016).

The authors concluded that the evaluated construct validity was high because both characteristics had a positive effect on the NKCT scores as predicted (p=0.038 and p=0.003, respectively). Hence, the use of an instrument with high construct validity will ensure that the data collected on nurses’ knowledge also has high validity. Secondly, to ensure the validity of data collected through observations, content validity will be applied to determine whether the criteria used in the observation cover the construct of interest, namely, the guidelines on capnography provided by BETP (2017).

To measure content validity, the proposed observation criteria will be provided to data collection sources for feedback. Concerns or comments will be addressed by improving or amending the requirements accordingly. This will help to ensure that the content validity of the data collected through observations is high. Consequently, the application of two data collection methods that yield data with a high degree of validity will help to ensure the validity of the data collected during this DPI improvement project.

Reliability

Like validity, the reliability of both data collection methods will be assured to provide reliable data. Concerning the NKCT, reliability has already been evaluated. Kiekkas et al. (2016) note that they applied internal consistency and item analysis to determine the reliability of the instrument. Kuder-Richardson 20 coefficient was used based on the type of the test (dichotomous choices). Point-biserial correlation index was also applied, yielding the results from 0.168 (poor item discrimination) to 0.833 (excellent item discrimination), with most items (28 out of 30) having either good or acceptable discriminatory value (Kiekkas et al., 2016).

This means that the internal consistency of the test is high, which allows it to collect data with a high degree of reliability. Both tests used by the authors provide an adequate degree of certainty, which is why they are used to ensure the reliability of data collected using this instrument.

To ensure the reliability of observations, inter-rater reliability will be used. Inter-rater reliability was chosen as it most fits the nature of quantitative observations and helps to determine the objectivity of the selected criteria (Price et al., n.d.).

Before the beginning of data collection, data analysis will be required to apply observation criteria to the coronary care unit in nursing practices in cardiopulmonary resuscitation procedures, and data documentation of nurses. This will be provided in marking criteria, and in the comparison of whether the data provided by observations are objective. If there are significant differences in scores, an additional test will be scheduled to determine if the results are due to poor inter-rater reliability of the criteria. If the criteria prove to be unreliable, they will be clarified further and tested again until the level of inter-rater reliability is high. This will ensure the reliability of the data collected through observations, thus contributing to the overall reliability of the findings.

Data Collection Procedures

Before the data collection begins, obtaining institutional approval from the selected hospital to conduct tests and observations in coronary care units is the first step in initiating the process. Once the approval has been obtained data sources requiring a list of all nurses working in the coronary care unit of the selected hospital would be obtained. This would form the basis of the study to access the knowledge of nurses’ working in this setting from a qualitative and quantitative perspective. The software will be used to extract a list of numbers randomly in the identification of adherence in the validation of data (Price et al., n.d.).

The nurses involved in the study will be contacted by e-mail, and information about the results and findings would be explored in detail. The study of nurses knowledge and capnography through quantitative evaluations in the use of the institutional provided data source analysis tool, in addition to the NKCT, have been performed with the relevant documentation and procedures ensuring privacy and confidentiality of the nurses partaking in the study (Cronin et al., 2014; Price et al., n.d.).

The rights and well-being of the nurses partaking in the study will be protected by securing their personal data without disruption to their workflow or take a long time to complete. Observations will take place from outside of the room, and nurses will complete NKCT in their spare time to prevent disruptions and stress.

The data shared by the institution and the nurse participants will be stored securely on a password-protected computer, and the participants’ numbers will be used instead of their names during data collection and analysis. The data will be held for one year following the end of the project and will be destroyed by deleting electronic documents and shredding all paper files related to the study. Explanations into the study’s premise would be explained into its entirety to the nurses, and e-mail verification solidifying understanding into the proposed hypothesis would prove useful for the setting presented.

These precautions are in accordance with the European University Institute guide on data protection practices, and they will help to ensure that the participants’ rights will be preserved throughout the duration of the project (EUI, 2019). Additionally, it is important to note that no contact with patients will be made during the project, and thus patients’ health and well-being will not be affected by the project in any way.

Data collection procedures will begin with evaluating nurses’ knowledge in capnography using the NKCT tool, which is the independent variable in the study (Kiekkas et al., 2016). All participating nurses working within the CCU setting will take the test in a controlled environment, such as in a conference room. The test will be completed either after the nurses’ shift or before so that it would not disrupt their workflow. For any nurses who have difficulties in scheduling, the test will be conducted individually. Taking the test in a controlled environment is important to reduce the risk of bias (Price et al., n.d.).

If nurses were to take an online test, they would be able to search for additional materials, thus showing a higher level of knowledge than they possess. Hence, the proposed procedure will have a beneficial impact on the quality of the findings. Each test will be completed on the coronary care unit, on paper and marked with the nurse’s identification number to prevent bias in quantitative data results. The other part of data collection will be comprised of quantitative observations of the data measurement tool provided by the institution, which will measure the dependent variables of the use of capnography and its correctness. The observer will use a list of criteria for observing cardiopulmonary resuscitation procedures.

They will mark each criterion as met or unmet based on the nurse’s activities during cardiopulmonary resuscitation. Below each criterion, there will be a list of activities required for fulfillment so that the observer would be able to identify and mark the items quickly. Each correctly completed observation form will also be marked with the nurse’s identification number. Given the correlational design of the study, neither of the variables will be manipulated, so the data collection procedures will be concerned with the recorded information only.

Data Analysis Procedures

For the purposes of the present project, data on three variables will be collected: nurses’ knowledge of capnography, the use of capnography during resuscitation, and the correctness of capnography use. For the first variable, quantitative data will be collected using the Nurses’ Knowledge on Capnography Test, and for the other variables, quantitative observations will be used to assess the use of capnography and its compliance with guidelines (BETP, 2017; Kiekkas et al., 2016). The clinical questions to be answered using data analysis are whether nurses’ knowledge of capnography impacts the frequency of using this tool during resuscitation and whether nurses’ knowledge of capnography impacts their compliance with capnography guidelines and procedures.

The data on nurses’ knowledge of capnography and capnography use during resuscitation will be used to answer the first question, and data on nursing knowledge of capnography and the correctness of its use will be used to respond to the second clinical question. Descriptive statistics will be used to present results in the two categories of data (nurses’ knowledge and the correctness of capnography use).

This will include mean and mode values, as well as standard deviation and variance. However, in order to fulfill the requirements of the correlational design, further data analysis will also be applied to demonstrate the relationship between the three variables. At this point, the raw data will be prepared for analysis through organizing data items by respective nurse identification numbers and then inputting the nurse’s number and the three data items in separate columns. Subsequently, graphic software, such as Excel, will be used to create two scattergrams related to the two clinical questions (Price et al., n.d.).

One scattergram will reflect the relationship between nurses’ capnography knowledge and the use of capnography, and the other one will consider nurses’ capnography knowledge and the correctness of capnography use. The analysis of the two scattergrams using statistical software, such as XLSTAT, will be used to determine the correlation coefficient r. The same software will be used for regression analysis of the two pairs of variables. The level of statistical significance for the study is set at p=0.05, which is a standard level used in many studies in nursing (Cronin et al., 2014).

The procedures identified above align with the chosen correlational design since they focus on establishing a correlation between the two variables. The use of specific statistical tools, such as XLSTAT, will help to ensure the correctness of calculations while also supporting the data analysis process. The chosen data analysis procedure also relates to the purpose of the project as it will explore the possible relationship between nurses’ knowledge of capnography and their use of this tool during resuscitation in great depth.

Ethical Considerations

Since the present project involves human subjects, it is particularly important to protect their rights and conduct the project in an ethical way (Sanjari, Bahramnezhad, Fomani, Shoghi, & Cheraghi, 2014; Zyphur & Pierides, 2017). The key ethical issues relating to the project are the confidentiality and privacy of personal information provided by the participants and the disruption of nurses’ workflow during the project. Both problems mentioned above, violate the principles of the Belmont Report since they might cause harm to the nurses’ and their patients. In order to address these issues, the project was modeled in a way that minimizes workflow disruptions.

For instance, testing will take place outside of the nurses’ shifts, and observations will be conducted from outside of the wards, thus preventing distractions and disruptions. Additionally, measures to protect data privacy and confidentiality will be applied. In accordance with the EUI (2019) guidelines, personal information about the participants will be stored safely on a password-protected device and destroyed after one year by deleting electronic documents and shredding paper documentation. Identifying information, including names and e-mail addresses, will be replaced with identification numbers during data collection and analysis. No contact with patients will be made throughout the project, so no harm to them will be caused.

IRB approval to conduct the project will also be received, which means that the project will be done on a voluntary basis, and nurses will participate based on their motivation. The documentation supplied with the informed consent form will provide all relevant information about the project, including the ethical measures taken to protect the participants, their work, and data. No potential conflicts of interest were identified at this stage since the investigator is not connected to the hospitals or nurses who will participate in the project.

Since this project may be published in scholarly journals, precautions will be taken to protect subjects’ privacy and confidentiality at the publication stage. The documents shown to third parties will be checked to ensure the absence of identifying information, and the publication will only reveal the findings and will not contain any identification numbers.

Limitations

While the project has been carefully designed to provide high-quality information on the problem and avoid bias, there are still two limitations related to its methodology. Firstly, the sample size of the study is smaller than in other quantitative studies in nursing (Cronin et al., 2014). New Jersey was chosen as the site of the project because of the need to conduct observations, and thus moving the project to another state would not be feasible. Additionally, the focus is on a coronary care unit, limiting the number of nurses in the sample. Enhancing the scope of the project would not help to achieve project goals because most other groups have a lower frequency of cardiac arrest and would thus provide incomplete data.

Hence, the chosen sample size is the best option given the geographic location of the project. Another limitation is that qualitative designs allow evaluating subjective knowledge only. While nurses’ perceived learning and their confidence in themselves to correctly perform and adapt to applying capnography in the clinical setting, this may not always be the case. This is because a quantitative correlational design would not allow considering qualitative information, such as the subjects’ attitudes and perceptions (Curtis et al., 2016).

This is a minor limitation to the project because nurses’ hesitance to use capnography may not only come from the lack of subjective knowledge but from perceived inadequacy of experience or skills. Nevertheless, this limitation can be prevented given the clinical questions, the selected design of the project, and the project potential to fulfill its purpose to identify knowledge deficits and correct them through educational means.

Summary

The purpose of this quantitative correlational project is to explore the relationship between nurses’ knowledge of capnography and the use of this tool in coronary care units.

The chosen quantitative methodology is the best fit for the project’s purpose because it will provide objective data needed to establish the relationship between the variables (Barnham, 2015; Cronin et al., 2014). Additionally, the correlational design of the study is tailored to the needs of the project because it focuses on establishing the correlation between the two variables and its strength (Curtis et al., 2016). The data collection procedures that involve conducting quantitative observations and testing of nurses’ knowledge about the appropriate use of capnography through NKCT will provide adequate measurements of the variables presented (Kiekkas et al., 2016).

Descriptive statistics, scattergrams, correlation analyses, and regression analyses will also be applied to draw conclusions from the data sources provided as well (Pierce et al., n.d.). The sequence of procedures chosen for the project will help to respond to clinical questions and fulfill the purpose of the project in evaluating and improving clinical practices.

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