NURS FPX 5005 Assessment 3 Evidence-based Practice in Nursing

Name

Capella university

NURS-FPX 5005 Introduction to Nursing Research, Ethics, and Technology

Prof. Name

Date

Introduction

Ensuring patient safety and minimizing medication errors (MEs) are among the most pressing concerns in healthcare today. One of the leading innovations addressing this issue is Barcode Medication Administration (BCMA), a technology developed to reduce human errors in high-risk healthcare settings such as critical care units. BCMA systems work by scanning patient and medication barcodes to ensure accuracy in the “five rights” of medication administration—right patient, medication, dose, route, and time. This process significantly reduces medication administration errors (MAEs), thereby enhancing safety and quality of care.

General solutions to patient safety are insufficient without tailored strategies grounded in evidence-based practices (EBPs). EBPs involve a rigorous methodology that ensures patient care decisions are informed by the best available evidence, clinical expertise, and patient preferences. This paper outlines the essential processes for EBP development, highlights the significance of scholarship and credible information in nursing, and explores the ethical and regulatory landscape for implementing BCMA technology in clinical environments. It also proposes a strategic plan to facilitate the successful adoption of BCMA systems while maintaining alignment with healthcare standards and ethical considerations.

Evidence-Based Practice (EBP): Development, Scholarship, and Application

The process of building an effective evidence-based practice begins with forming a clinical question. A widely used method is the PICOT framework, which stands for Population, Intervention, Comparison, Outcome, and Time. Once the question is formulated, the next steps involve sourcing relevant peer-reviewed literature, appraising the validity of the studies, and evaluating how well the findings can be translated into clinical practice. The final stages include implementing the evidence and assessing patient outcomes to guide future improvements (Dang et al., 2021).

Numerous factors influence whether an EBP initiative is successful. These include the strength of evidence, its compatibility with clinical guidelines, and feasibility within a healthcare setting. However, challenges are also prevalent. Clinicians often face limited access to quality research, time constraints, and organizational resistance to change. To overcome these barriers, nurse leaders must foster a culture that values learning and supports innovation. Staff training and organizational support are critical to ensure the successful integration of EBPs into day-to-day nursing care.

A core component of EBP is the pursuit of nursing scholarship, which involves acquiring, analyzing, and applying research findings to enhance patient care. Scholarly inquiry bridges the gap between theoretical models and practical application. It empowers nurses to question traditional methods, adopt proven strategies, and evaluate care from an evidence-informed perspective. Peer-reviewed sources, clinical guidelines, and systematic reviews offer the high-level evidence required to inform clinical decisions (Cullen et al., 2022).

The following table outlines essential criteria for assessing evidence quality:

Criteria	Description
Credibility	Information must be sourced from peer-reviewed or trusted academic publications
Relevance	Evidence should directly relate to the clinical question and patient population
Validity & Rigor	Use of correct study design, adequate sample size, and statistical soundness
Timeliness	Studies should be current (ideally within the past 5 years)

Reliable and current evidence is vital for addressing the ever-evolving needs of healthcare. When nurses engage in scholarship and utilize high-quality data, they are better equipped to make clinical decisions that improve outcomes and ensure safety (Schmidt & Brown, 2024; Shaker et al., 2020).

Clinical Question, Technological Integration, and Ethical-Policy Implications

The clinical question guiding this paper is: “How can the use of BCMA systems reduce medication errors and improve patient safety within a critical care unit?” This question highlights a pressing issue in healthcare where the misadministration of medications can lead to adverse events or even death. BCMA systems help to prevent these errors by ensuring that medications are administered accurately and safely. By linking patient data with medication orders through barcode scanning, the technology serves as a double-check system that minimizes human mistakes and improves workflow efficiency.

A relevant study by Mohanna et al. (2021) demonstrated the positive impact of BCMA systems in critical care settings. The researchers observed a marked reduction in wrong dosages and missed medications following BCMA implementation. Despite these benefits, the study also highlighted obstacles such as workflow disruptions, user resistance, and the need for ongoing staff training. Additionally, the integration of BCMA with other health information technologies remains underexplored, pointing to a need for further investigation into its long-term effects on clinical efficiency and safety outcomes.

Ethical and regulatory dimensions must also be considered when deploying BCMA systems. From an ethical standpoint, technologies like BCMA promote beneficence by improving patient well-being and non-maleficence by reducing harm. Nevertheless, potential pitfalls such as over-reliance on automation and diminished clinician vigilance must be addressed. Respecting patient autonomy involves safeguarding personal health information, especially under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). Regulatory compliance also mandates alignment with standards set by authorities such as The Joint Commission and the Food and Drug Administration, which oversee the safety and efficacy of health technologies (Hughes, 2021).

To support a successful and ethical implementation, the following steps should be followed:

Implementation Phase	Actions
Stakeholder Engagement	Involve nurses, pharmacists, and IT professionals early on
Staff Training	Provide comprehensive training to ensure efficient system use
Pilot Testing	Initiate a small-scale rollout to resolve operational challenges
Continuous Auditing	Monitor system usage to maintain compliance with safety standards
Quality Improvement Cycle	Regularly review feedback and make iterative enhancements

These measures ensure that the BCMA system aligns with professional ethics and legal regulations while enhancing patient safety. With a phased implementation strategy, healthcare organizations can better manage challenges related to staff resistance and operational change, ultimately driving better patient outcomes (Abdelaziz et al., 2024).

Conclusion

The implementation of BCMA systems in critical care environments serves as a pivotal step in minimizing medication errors and enhancing patient safety. Grounded in evidence-based practices and informed by rigorous scholarship, the BCMA initiative exemplifies how healthcare technologies can transform patient outcomes. Ethical considerations, including privacy, safety, and patient rights, must be carefully addressed alongside regulatory compliance. Through stakeholder engagement, training, continuous monitoring, and quality improvement, healthcare organizations can foster a culture of safety, innovation, and accountability.

References

Abdelaziz, S., Amigoni, A., Kurttila, M., Laaksonen, R., Silvari, V., & Franklin, B. D. (2024). Medication safety strategies in European adult, paediatric, and neonatal intensive care units: A cross-sectional survey. European Journal of Hospital Pharmacy. https://doi.org/10.1136/ejhpharm-2023-004018

Cullen, L., Hanrahan, K., Farrington, M., Tucker, S., Edmonds, S., & Tau, T. (2022). Evidence-based practice in action: Comprehensive strategies, tools, and tips from University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics. Sigma Theta Tau International. https://books.google.com.pk/books?hl=en\&lr=\&id=QU5-EAAAQBAJ

NURS FPX 5005 Assessment 3 Evidence-based Practice in Nursing

Dang, D., Dearholt, S. L., Bissett, K., Ascenzi, J., & Whalen, M. (2021). Johns Hopkins evidence-based practice for nurses and healthcare professionals: Model and guidelines (4th ed.). Sigma Theta Tau International.

Hughes, R. G. (2021). Patient safety and quality: An evidence-based handbook for nurses. Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (US). https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK2651/

Mohanna, A., Mussa, A. A., & Al-Qarni, A. A. (2021). Impact of barcode medication administration system on medication errors in intensive care units: A quasi-experimental study. Journal of Patient Safety, 17(7), e585–e590. https://doi.org/10.1097/PTS.0000000000000714

Schmidt, N. A., & Brown, J. M. (2024). Evidence-based practice for nurses: Appraisal and application of research (6th ed.). Jones & Bartlett Learning.

Shaker, N. M., Hamdy, H. M., & Elshafei, D. A. (2020). Evaluating the effectiveness of barcode medication administration technology on medication errors. International Journal of Nursing Sciences, 7(3), 316–322. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijnss.2020.06.001

NURS FPX 5005 Assessment 3 Evidence-based Practice in Nursing