– 3-4 pages describing the Methods/Design and Statistical Analysis that you will use in your capstone project. -Use the evidence from the peer reviewed articles on nurse raton that you have critically appraised and synthesized. Follow APA format and cite references. Include the following: ***Please provide turn it in report
Methods/Design and Statistical Analysis
Introduction
The aim of this paper is to provide a detailed description of the methods/design and statistical analysis that will be used in my capstone project on nurse rationing. The project aims to investigate the impact of nurse-to-patient ratios on patient outcomes in hospitals. To ensure the utmost rigor and reliability of the study, evidence from peer-reviewed articles on nurse rationing has been critically appraised and synthesized.
Methods/Design
Study Design
This study will adopt a retrospective cohort design, utilizing data collected over a five-year period. The retrospective design allows for the examination of outcomes after exposure to nurse-to-patient ratios, which is essential for understanding the long-term effects. A cohort design is appropriate as it permits the observation of a group of patients exposed to different nurse-to-patient ratios over time.
Setting and Sample
The study population will consist of hospitalized patients from multiple medical and surgical units within a large academic medical center. The inclusion criteria will encompass all adult patients aged 18 years and older who were admitted to the selected units during the study period. Exclusion criteria will include patients with missing data on nurse-to-patient ratios and incomplete medical records.
Sampling Technique
A convenience sampling technique will be employed to select the study sample. This approach is most suitable in this context, as it allows for an accessible and readily available population of patients from which to draw data. However, efforts will be made to ensure that the sample is representative of the target population by including patients across different age groups, genders, and medical conditions.
Variables and Data Collection
The main independent variable in this study is nurse-to-patient ratios. This variable will be measured as the number of patients assigned to each nurse during a given shift. The dependent variables will include patient outcomes, such as mortality rates, length of stay, and incidence of adverse events.
Data on nurse-to-patient ratios will be collected from hospital records. Electronic health record systems will be accessed to retrieve information on patient outcomes, including mortality, length of stay, and the occurrence of adverse events. To ensure accuracy and reliability, data extraction will be performed by two independent researchers, with any discrepancies resolved through consensus.
Data Analysis
Descriptive statistics will be used to summarize the characteristics of the study population, including demographic data and nurse-to-patient ratios. Continuous variables will be presented as means and standard deviations, while categorical variables will be presented as frequencies and percentages.
To assess the relationship between nurse-to-patient ratios and patient outcomes, multivariate regression analysis will be conducted. The regression models will be adjusted for potential confounders, such as patient age, gender, severity of illness, and comorbidities. The significance level will be set at p<0.05. Power analysis will be carried out to determine the required sample size for this study. This analysis will ensure that the study is adequately powered to detect any statistically significant associations between nurse-to-patient ratios and patient outcomes. The power calculation will be based on an estimated effect size derived from existing literature and the desired level of statistical power (typically set at 80%). Limitations It is important to acknowledge the potential limitations of this study. Firstly, as a retrospective cohort design, this study is subject to the limitations inherent in the utilization of existing data. There may be inconsistencies or missing information in the medical records, which could introduce bias into the analysis. Secondly, the study is limited to a single academic medical center, which may limit the generalizability of the findings to other healthcare settings. Finally, the reliance on nurse-to-patient ratios as the main independent variable may overlook other factors that could influence patient outcomes, such as nurse experience and skill level. Conclusion This paper has provided a comprehensive description of the methods/design and statistical analysis that will be employed in the capstone project on nurse rationing. The retrospective cohort design, along with the collection of data on nurse-to-patient ratios and patient outcomes, will allow for a robust analysis of the impact of nurse-to-patient ratios on patient outcomes in hospitals. The statistical analysis, including multivariate regression and power analysis, will provide the necessary tools to detect any associations and determine the required sample size. The limitations of the study have also been acknowledged, highlighting the need for cautious interpretation of the results. Overall, this study aims to contribute to the existing body of knowledge on nurse rationing and its influence on patient outcomes, with potential implications for healthcare policy and practice.