The Examination of the Policy
A member of an evidence-based practice team is expected to find and examine a policy utilized by the registered nurses (RNs) within the hospital. The process of intravenous (IV) catheter insertion policy search was easy due to the allowed access to the hospital database with the necessary materials. The RNs in the hospital have access to the materials including policies and other documents and know where to find them. As for the common ways of policy dissemination to staff, it can be distributed among the workers during the periodical meetings of the staff, as well as posted on the databases or institutions’ websites. The policy and the procedure description are referenced in the document titled “Peripheral intravenous catheter insertion, management and removal policy” (2018).
The Observation of RN’s Performance According to the Policy
The two interviewed RNs working at the hospital admitted to thoroughly utilizing the policy in practice. The RNs took the steps according to the procedure description. The IV procedure was started by a nurse only upon the physician’s order. The RNs performed the hand hygiene according to the rules and policies established within the hospital. The RNs administered, calculated, and regulated the IV infusions of the solutions and regulated the flow rate of blood. Since the physician has to specify the infusion rate for a nurse to perform the procedure correctly, RNs work in close collaboration with the physician (Infection Prevention, 2018). Upon the communication with the RNs, no deviation from the policy was detected. The nurses seem to adhere to the rules of the procedure thoroughly.
The Comparison of the Policy to National Guidelines
To appropriately validate the policy utilized in the hospital, it is necessary to compare it to the national guidelines and verify its correctness and the possible need for change. The applicable guideline introduced to the CDC by the collaboration of the professors “Guidelines for the prevention of intravascular catheter-related infections” addresses the issues of infection-free procedures carried out by the nurses (O’Grady et al., 2002).
In spite of the relatively old guideline, it remains up-to-date for the present due to the importance of preserving the patients’ safety during IV procedures. The target audience of the guidelines are the IV certified professionals and the RNs who conduct intravenous infusions in their daily practices. This population is appropriate to the setting of the chosen policy application. The guideline utilizes a strategy of accurate referencing and evidence demonstration to validate the recommendations for the future change.
The authors present a literature-based background and many practical pieces of evidence, as well as statistical data to show the need for more accurate utilization of the policy aimed at patients’ safety during IV infusions. The hospital policy corresponds with the requirements of the guidelines, and the overview of the utilization of the policy by RNs shows that no deviation is detected.
The Proper Nurse’s Response to Practice Deviation
The practice of RNs presents many cases of difficulties or urges when a nurse has to take responsibility for the rapid actions and perform with deviation. In such cases, a nurse should analyze the steps according to the requirements of the policies that are enacted in the hospital and evaluate the outcomes of the deviation. It is vital to remember that the safety of the health and life of a patient is the priority, That is why any deviation in procedures has to be slight and aimed at the wellbeing of a patient but not be a demonstration of professional neglect.
References
Infection Prevention. (2018). Peripheral intravenous catheter insertion, management and removal policy. SSM Health Saint Louis University Hospital Patient Care Policy, 1-5.
O’Grady, N. P., Alexander, M., Dellinger, E. P., Gerberding, J. L., Heard, S. O., Maki, D., G., … Weinstein, R. A. (2002). Guidelines for the prevention of intravascular catheter-related infections. Center for Disease Control and Prevention. Web.