ARTICLE CRITIQUE

Article Critique: Clostridium Difficile Pilot Study



Article Critique: Clostridium difficile pilot study

Introduction

Comprehensive critiques of research articles are needed to identify the research findings that should be used in clinical practice. In this paper, I will examine the strengths and weaknesses of the study by Mummer, Weaver, Hams and Hunter (2004). The article reports on the effect of clostridium difficile in producing difficile diarhhoea among patients going antibiotic therapies. Uncomplicated diarrhea, which may occur either during antibiotic treatment or up to eight weeks after antibiotics have been discontinued, usually lasts one to seven days both in adults and children. Since the article is based on a pilot study, I use RCT Appraisal tool for critically reflecting on the key areas of the article.

Abstract and Purpose

The abstract follows a smooth tone and a fine progression and clearly states the purpose, objectives, design, setting and sample used, methods, main research variables, findings, conclusions and implications on nursing. The title Clostridium difficile pilot study: effects of probiotic supplementation on the incidence of C. difficile diarhhoea, well illustrates the objective and variables of the research. The purpose of the paper must match the introduction and the title. As we see in the article the purpose in the abstract supports these requirements. Not only these, all other heads go with the purpose of the research. The purpose reinstates the variables of the research that are, probiotic supplementation and C. difficile diarhhoea.

Population and Sample

When the populace for a quantitative study has been presented, the researchers have to then make a decision about the size of the population, sample will be included in the research study. In supplementary forms of quantitative research other sampling methods may be employed but it ought to be presented and determined if the sampling technique is suitable to the research design in question (Polit and Beck, 2004). For this study, the researchers recruited 150 consecutive patients receiving antibiotic therapy.

Literature Review

The research has thrown light in the earlier studies and literature related to the disease in question. C. difficile colitis is a debilitating infection with remarkably high associated morbidity and mortality. The great increase in incidence is due to multiple factors, including sicker patients in hospitals in developed countries, antibiotic and antacid prescribing practices, availability of diagnostic techniques, and awareness on the part of the medical profession, and dissemination of one or more virulent strain(s). Infection is contagious and spreads especially rapidly in hospitals because patients who are there have all the associated risk factors, including major underlying illnesses antibiotic therapy, and use of agents that suppress gastric acidity. A high index of suspicion, prompt testing of feces for C. difficile toxin, and implementation fl isolation precautions even while waiting testing should be a priority, followed by prompt therapy. Currently available tests are highly reliable (Mummer, Weaver, Hams and Hunter 2004). Recent findings suggest that vancomycin be used as the initial therapy in hospitalized patients, especially in patients with serious disease, in order to avoid further debilitation of affected patients and ...