Safe Sleep Education, Capstone Project Example

Introduction of the Change Project

The change project with regard to safe sleep education is viable with the statistics outlined in the opening statement. One of the strong points in the introduction of the change project is the statement concerning the infant mortality rate of Alaska. A significant difference exists between the communities living in Alaska that include the Alaskan Natives, American Indians, and the white population. It is prudent to make note of this at the beginning that the likelihood of children from Alaskan Natives and American Indians dying at infancy is higher than that of the white community. The ratios of 1.6 times for infant mortality and 3 times for SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome) are provided.

The introduction lacks a convincing approach as to the causes of infant deaths. While noting the difference between the Alaskan communities, the introduction should clearly state that these rates refer specifically to death from unsafe sleep practices. The introduction can as well be improved in terms of the statistics from the National Institute of Child Health and Development being specifically cited for Alaska as the state of focus. There is a great disparity in terms of the years the statistics used to introduce the change project were derived. This should be narrowed down to reflect the current changes and improvements.

Rosswurm & Larabee’s Six-Step Change Plan

Step 1: Assess the Need for Change

The need for change in the Alaskan infant mortality rate disparity is clearly indicated from the statistics or data provided. There is rationale provided for this need for change and the use of the PICOT table shows complete research. The only improvement needed is the projection of desired change.

Step 2: Link the problem, interventions and outcomes

The only strength is mention of the intervention and the result or outcome of the said intervention. Probable improvement could be done in terms of clear linkage of the problem to the outlined intervention. The question should not close the section rather the sentence could suggest an outcome.

Step 3: Synthesize the Best Evidence

The mention of the results of the change project implemented in the Canadian Arctic is convincing enough as evidence. The use of rhetorical question should be avoided instead the section should focus on availing only the best evidence.

Step 4: Design Practice Change

The paper gives a clear guideline to the changes that need to be implemented beginning with the nursing department and then the parents. The improvements to be made could touch on specific address of the group of nurses to be educated and the best way to reach parents.

Step 5: Implement and evaluate the Change in Practice

The suggestions provided for pre and post education tests and reference to Burd and Peterson prove practical enough for the task of implementing and evaluating the change in practice. Improvement could be made in giving specific ideas as to how the evaluation of the change in practice can be done with regard to possible outcomes.

Step 6: Integrate and Maintain the Change in Practice

The strong point here is outlined in continuous education of new employees. The improvement needed is on suggestions pertaining to the mode of educating the new staff.

Summary

The summary reiterates the nature of the problem that needs change, which should be the case. The suggestions in the summary could have come a bit earlier in the project.

APA Format

The APA format guidelines for the references have been followed. In-text citations need improvement. The last level heading needs spacing between the colon and the word Integrate, there should be bullets in the outlined basic information in step 3. In step 1, the year is 2011 not 20011. In the introduction, the words of the acronym SIDS should be capitalized. In the change model overview, a conjunction ‘then’ is not supposed to begin a sentence.