RESEARCH IN HEALTH AND SOCIAL CARE

Research in Health and Social Care



Abstract

This study presents a critical appraisal of following point that is “do antibiotic coated central venous lines have a lower rate of infection compared with normal catheters”. Critical appraisal is a systematic process used to identify the strengths and weaknesses of a research article in order to assess the usefulness and validity of research findings. The most important components of a critical appraisal are an evaluation of the appropriateness of the study design for the research question and a careful assessment of the key methodological features of this design. Other factors that also should be considered include the suitability of the statistical methods used and their subsequent interpretation, potential conflicts of interest and the relevance of the research to one's own practice. This Review presents a 10-step guide to critical appraisal that aims to assist clinicians to identify the most relevant high-quality studies available to guide their clinical practice.

Table of Content

Abstract2

Identify A Problem Or Interest In An Appropriate Area Of Practice And From This Develop A Research Question4

Undertake A Literature Search And Indentify Research-Generated Evidence In The Literature Which Could Be Utilised In Answering Or Addressing The Research Question4

Who Was Excluded From The Study And Why5

Was The Study Undertaken In A Realistic (True To Life Setting) Or Was It In A Highly Controlled Environment6

Undertake a brief critical appraisal of the chosen body of literature and comment on the strengths and weaknesses of the methods that have been utilised.6

An Example Of Evidence Found In The Literature, Comprising A Single Key Study That Addresses The Research Question Reflect On Any Relevant Practice, Research And Ethical Issues7

Critical appraisal in some depth the particular methods used in a single study that has generated evidence to inform practice.10

Where Appropriate Outcomes Were Chosen11

Who Was Included In The Study, How Were They Selected And Recruited13

Was The Study Design Feasible/Sensible/Appropriate13

How Were Outcomes Measured14

Were Outcome Measures Tested For Reliability And Validity16

Were appropriate statistical tests used?17

Did the study include information on those participants who dropped out - for example the reasons why?18

Did the authors' conclusions accurately reflect their findings or were they being over optimistic?19

Research in Health and social care

Identify A Problem Or Interest In An Appropriate Area Of Practice And From This Develop A Research Question

To identify a problem in an appropriate area of practice for the purpose of this study following problem has been selected as researech question for the study: Do antibiotic coated central venous lines have a lower rate of infection compared with normal catheters (Press, 1984, 189-200). Physicians insert central venous catheters (CVC) for measurement of hemodynamic variables, delivery of medications and nutritional support. “More than 5 million catheters are inserted each year in the UK, and unfortunately this growing number is associated with adverse events that can be both hazardous and expensive, such as infectious complications” (Appavu, 1994, 106:176S).

Nosocomial catheter related bloodstream infections (CR-BSI) have been associated with increased morbidity and possibly increased mortality in critically ill ...