Deborah King, RN/BSN
University of Mary
Theoretical Perspective Advanced Nursing Practice
501Nur
Plastic Surgical Nursing Journal printed an article in March 2007 written by Carol Benton, BSN, RN, CWCN. The Wound Care Center had to establish goals in 2004 per the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Hospital Organizations (JCAHO) as part of a safety goal for improving compliance with staff and hand hygiene. In this research article Benton had doctors observed for two 4-hour clinical shifts during their examination of patients in relation to their compliance with hand washing policies. (Carol Benton, 2007)
Empiric Knowledge is based on the theory that includes sensory perception, belief, faith, tradition and experience. (Peggy L. Chinn, Maeona K. Kramer, 2011) “Socialization into a discipline is guided by theories use of language, identification of concepts, definition of relationships, structured ideas, and facilitation of discipline inquiry, practice and communication, as well as predicting outcomes of practice”. (Sharon L. Van Sell, Ioannis A. Kalofissudis). Benton was aware that had she simply told the doctors to wash their hands to comply with the JCAHO safety goals she would have met with resistance. Research is required to prove out a theory based on knowledge, Benton used her observation periods to note that the doctors did change their gloves between patients yet there was a 0% to 100% compliance with an overall compliance of 17% of hand washing amongst all physicians. (Carol Benton, 2007)
The method employed to determine educational needs were compliance monitoring in which a nurse was assigned to observe all doctors during clinical days and to report the observations. Individual discussions with each doctor followed in addition to a detailed report on the number of patients seen and the fact that gloves were changed between all patients yet hands were not washed every time before and after patient contact. Education was
References: Carol Benton, B. R. (2007). Hand Hygiene-Meeting the JCAHO Safety Goal: Can Compliance With CDC Hand Hygiene Guidelines be Improved by a Surveillance and Educational Program? Plastic Surgical Nursing, 40-44. Kathleen Walsh Spencer, M. M. (2007). Where Nursing Knowledge Comes From. Plastic Surgical Nursing , 1. Peggy L. Chinn, Maeona K. Kramer. (2011). Intergrated Theory and Knowledge Development in Nursing. St. Louise: Elsevier Mosby. Sharon L. Van Sell, Ioannis A. Kalofissudis. (n.d.). Formulating Nursing Theory.