RESEARCH CRITIQUE REPORT

Research Critique Report

Research Critique Report

Introduction

The study explores the usefulness of an oral nutritional supplement loaded with Vitamin C, arginine and Zinc for curing the ulcer patients of grade III and IV. Oral nutritional supplements have been widely utilized for the treatment of Ulcer patients; therefore, the study investigates the effectiveness of such supplements. The study will contribute in developing the awareness and knowledge of health professionals and patients. Since, updated research was lacking in on the subject, therefore, the selected study better explains the research questions selected.

Research Aims and objectives

The objective of the study is to investigate the usefulness of an oral nutritional supplement which includes zinc, protein, and vitamin C along with arginine for the treatment of ulcer patients.

Literature review and Justifications

In Health care services pressure Ulcer are frequently reported and expensive problem. In the geriatric facilities of Spain, the prevalence of pressure ulcer is about 36% (Casimiro, Garcia, Usan, 2002). The unnecessary daily expenditure for each patient including material utilized for the treatment and health care staff have been exceeding for grade I, II, II and IV pressure ulcer patients, e 6, 11, 12, 53 each day respectively (Schols, Kleijer, Lourens, 2003). The key risk factors for the development of pressure ulcer include immobility, chronic disease, shear, malnutrition and, incontinence (Patrick, 1995; Allman, 1997). However, strategies for preventions have been widely utilized; still pressure ulcer is diagnosed (Grey & Harding, 1998).

For the effective treatment of pressure ulcer a multidisciplinary approach is needed encompassing local care (Dressing, wound hygiene and debridement) and pressure relief (Grey & Harding, 1998; Thomas, 2001). Past studies have demonstrated that nutritional supplement possibly assist such multidisciplinary approach. Pressure ulceration and dysfunctional healing have been linked to poor dietary intake (Bergstrom, Armstrong, 1991; Bergstrom, Braden, 1992) and poor nutritional status (Waltman, Bergstrom, Armstrong, 1991). Potential researches contrasting the food intake of ulcer patients with and without pressure in both community and hospital have discovered a significant reduction in the protein, vitamin, energy, iron and zinc in patients suffering from pressure ulcer (Bergstrom, Armstrong, 1991; Bergstrom, Braden, 1992, Green, Winterberg, Franks, 1999; Guenter, Malyszek, Bliss, 2000).

This was illustrated by the lower degree of albumin, Zinc, vitamin C and A also iron (Pinchcofsky & Kaminski, 1986; Gengenbacher, Stahelin, Scholer, 2002; Williams, Lines, McKay, 1988). Although, patients suffering from pressure ulcer who take appropriate or adequate diet including arginine, protein, vitamin C, zinc showed quicker healing as compare to the patients having inadequate nutritional intake Holmes, Macchiano, Jhangiani, 1987; Gorse, Messner, 1987; Benati, Delvecchio, Cilla, 2001; Taylor, Rimmer, Day, 1974). Hence, the study was designed to investigate the usefulness of an oral nutrition supplement loaded with zinc, protein, and vitamin C along with arginine for the treatment of ulcer patients.

Methodology

The methodology puts forward the research approaches used in conducting this research. Special consideration has been given to the ethical considerations of quantitative approach in the completion of the research. A brief methodology has been presented that describes the difference between ...