Nursing: Levels of Evidence, Essay Example

Strengths and weaknesses of information on website

My proposed practice change relates to developing a postpartum screening tool and policy for a maternity unit in order to screen all patients for postpartum Depression (PPD) subsequently,avoiding unfavorable outcomes. Importantly, my first impression of the website was somewhat disappointing since the expectation was to view information concerning actual evidences for the future practice. The clinical guidelines were not easily identifiable.

However, a viewer would believe that the website is focusing on showing slides depicting professionals at work engaging in research studies. While information was identifiable, the viewer had to be meticulous in finding relevant data under the subject heading research tools and data. Herein lay the strength of this Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) website. In this section there were evidence based reports whereby tools applicable to my research were successfully applied and evidence generated (AHRQ, 2015).

Is the AHRQ the bottom line of evidence for all potential projects that affect patient outcomes?

In my opinion the AHRQ is not the bottom line of evidence for all potential projects that affect patient outcomes, but it serves as a guideline for allresearch scholars desirous of making a contribution to the science through evidence based practices. AHRQ is concerned with scientific research. The role of AHRQ isexposing student researcher to tools available for effective application. These include development of efficient designs for projects that would yield validity and reliability worthy of being translated as evidence..

According to the level of evidence ratings,actual research accounts for 4 of 5 levels. The type of research determines the level of evidence. Therefore, if AHSQ does not provide research guidelines applicable to all 5 levels, it is clear that the organization is not the bottom line of evidence for all potential projects that affect patient outcomes. For example, some projects yield evidence from randomized trials, cohort studies, controlled and uncontrolled longitudinal studies, Each project  delivers different patient outcomes when evidence is applied (Burns, Rohrich& Chung, 2011).

References

AHRQ (2015). Research tools and data. Retrieved on February 3^rd, 2015 from http://www.ahrq.gov/research/index.html

Burns, P. Rohrich, R., & Chung, K. (2011). The levels of evidence and their role in evidence-based practice. PlastReconstr,Surg,128(1);305 -310