BHA FPX 4010 Assessment 1 Research Problem and Purpose Statements

Student Name

Capella University

BHA-FPX4010 Introduction to Health Care Research

Prof. Name

Date

Introduction

Part 1: Research Problem and Purpose Statements

Throughout this manuscript, the contextual backdrop of the study will be expounded, substantiated by existing scholarly works. Sequentially, empirically grounded information will be applied to buttress the formulation of the research conundrum. Subsequent to this, a problem statement will be articulated predicated on pertinent literature, culminating in the development of a purpose statement, substantiated by scholarly discourse.

Background and Evidence

Within the domain of hospital-acquired conditions (HAC), the focal point of this research centers on incidents involving the retention of foreign objects within the body subsequent to surgical interventions. Despite the implementation of stringent safety protocols in operating theaters, fallibility persists, thereby impinging upon the successful culmination of surgical procedures. Pyrek (2017) delineates an approximate twenty-eight million surgeries conducted annually in the United States, with reported cases of retained surgical equipment ranging from four to six thousand. Despite strides in medical technology, the challenge posed by retained surgical items (RSIs) remains obstinate (Fencl, 2016).

The Joint Commission (TJC) defines unintended retention of foreign objects (URFOs), or RSIs, as the inadvertent retention of surgical instruments within a patient post-surgery (Fenner, 2019). Such occurrences precipitate potential complications such as infections or fatalities, thereby inflicting physical and psychological harm upon patients, events classified by TJC as sentinel occurrences (Fenner, 2019). In response, TJC introduced the Universal Protocol in 2004 to mitigate such incidents, although its efficacy remains a subject of debate (Kim et al., 2015). Despite concerted efforts, fallibility persists, prompting inquiries into the credibility of healthcare institutions and the safeguarding of patient welfare (Liber, 2018).

However, these incidents may serve as catalysts for healthcare facilities to bolster safety protocols and instill confidence in patients through a demonstrable commitment to continuous enhancement (Birolini, Rasslan & Utiyama, 2016).

Part 2: Problem Statement

On an annual basis, a myriad of surgical procedures in the United States report instances of retained surgical equipment post-intervention, emblematic of a substantial issue that encumbers patient outcomes. The problem statement elucidates the recurrent phenomenon of surgical objects being inadvertently left within patients’ bodies, bolstered by empirical evidence and statistical data.

Part 3: Purpose Statement

In order to ameliorate the incidence of retained surgical items, surgical departments ought to embrace the Five Steps to Safer Surgery delineated by the National Patient Safety Agency (NPSA). This inquiry endeavors to implement efficacious safety protocols to diminish the retention of surgical instruments and the resultant harm inflicted upon patients. The purpose statement harmonizes with the study’s thematic focus on safety protocols, underpinned by pertinent scholarly discourse.

References

Birolini, D. V., Rasslan, S., & Utiyama, E. M. (2016). Unintentionally retained foreign bodies after surgical procedures. Analysis of 4547 cases. SciELO Analytics, 43(1), 12–17. https://doi.org/10.1590/0100-69912016001004

Fencl, J. L. (2016). Guideline Implementation: Prevention of Retained Surgical Items. AORN Journal, 104(1), 37–48. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aorn.2016.05.005

BHA FPX 4010 Assessment 1 Research Problem and Purpose Statements

Fenner, K. (2019). The Joint Commission’s Hospital National Patient Safety Goals for 2018 Compass Clinical Consulting. Compass Clinical Consulting. https://www.compassclinical.com/the-joint-commission-national-patient-safety-goals-for-2018/

Kim, F., da Silva, R., Gustafson, D., Nogueira, L., Harlin, T., & Paul, D. L. (2015). Current issues in patient safety in surgery. BMC. 9, 26. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13037-015-0067-4

Liber, M. (2018). Surgical sponges left inside woman for six years. CNN Health. https://www.cnn.com/2018/02/21/health/surgical-sponges-left-inside-womanstudy/index.html

BHA FPX 4010 Assessment 1 Research Problem and Purpose Statements

Pyrek, K. (2017). Preventing Retained Surgical Items is a Team Effort. Infection Control Today. https://www.infectioncontroltoday.com/patient-safety/preventing-retained-surgical-itemsteam-effort