Introduction
Arguably, most of the studies conducted in the medical field and the operating room are quantitative (Quereshy & Milner, 2012). These studies often focus on “how many” and “how much.” In this regard, different facets of the expansive medical field often use quantitative research for different purposes. This paper shows when to use quantitative research in the operating room.
Decision-making
Doctors and nurses often have to make difficult decisions in the operating room. Evidenced-based research studies often inform their decision-making processes (Quereshy & Milner, 2012). Quantitative research provides the foundation for developing these evidence-based findings. Duffy (2005) defines this contribution through the precincts of a critical appraisal process by saying, “Students, faculty members, and practicing nurses can use this overview of the critical appraisal process for quantitative studies to reduce their confusion about the process and to influence learning” (p. 283). In this regard, Duffy (2005) argues that quantitative research not only informs decision-making processes but also fosters learning in the clinical environment. Through this process, students would be better equipped to judge the value of information obtained through quantitative research. Using specific skills learned through the critical appraisal process, surgeons and nurses could also develop a rich repertoire of credible information that they could use in the operating room. To demonstrate how quantitative research improves decision-making processes in the operating room, Chen, Lai, and Wu (2011) say that quantitative research could be useful in understanding demographic, or disease characteristics that would be useful in understanding the context of treatment to use in the operating room. For example, doctors could know the interventions to adopt in surgery, based on a patient’s age, religion, and educational level (among other demographic factors). Similarly, if they were treating an injury, they would better assess the extent of an injury, its causes, and levels. To support the contribution of the quantitative research in this context, Chen et al. (2011) demonstrate that the quantitative research method has helped health practitioners to assess a patient’s moving forward behavior. They did so in a study to identify factors that affected moving forward behavior among patients who suffered spinal injuries (Chen et al., 2011).
Inventory Management
The operating room often works using different pieces of equipment and surgical tools. These tools are often stored in a safe place, away from contamination and pilferage. Quantitative research could help in inventory management (Quereshy & Milner, 2012). By doing so, health practitioners could easily understand changes in service levels, based on changes in inventory management. Similarly, they could easily define the appropriate level of reusable inventory for use in the operating room (Quereshy & Milner, 2012).
Communication
Communication is critical to the efficient running of the operating room. Particularly, it is vital in coordinating the activities of nurses and doctors in the clinical environment. Quantitative research is useful in improving communication. Researchers have said it does so through the checklist method (Quereshy & Milner, 2012). For example, the safe surgery checklist, by the World Health Organization (W.H.O), which hospitals have used in more than 3,000 operating rooms, demonstrates this fact (Quereshy & Milner, 2012).
Conclusion
This paper has shown that the quantitative research method is useful in the operating room because it helps in inventory management, decision-making, and communication. These contributions are important in the efficient running of the operating room because they foster improved coordination and efficiency in the clinical environment.
References
Chen, H., Lai, C., & Wu, T. (2011). A Study of Factors Affecting Moving Forward Behavior among People with Spinal Cord Injury. Rehabilitation Nursing, 36(3), 91-127.
Duffy, J. (2005). Critically appraising quantitative research. Nursing and Health Sciences, 7(1), 281–283.
Quereshy, F., & Milner, J. (2012). Quantitative Analysis of Operating Room Inventory Management Practices at a Tertiary Cancer Center. Journal of Oncology Practice, 8(2), 68-69.