Summary Of Critiquing A Systematic Review On Nursing Handoffs
Critiquing a Systematic Review on Nursing Handoffs
Chamberlain College of Nursing
NR505: Advanced Research Methods: Evidence-Based Practice
Summer 2013
Critiquing a Systematic Review on Nursing Handoffs Systematic research reviews make it possible to pool a larger amount of data and produce larger sample sizes in hopes of synthesizing findings, making the information more valuable and leading to evidence-based practice. However, systematic reviews are not all created equal and therefore, it is important to critically assess each and every one. Riesenburg, Leitzsch, and Cunningham (2010) completed a systematic review on nursing handoffs in order to identify features of structured handoffs that are effective. Within …show more content…
(2010) conducted a qualitative conventional analysis of the content; this technique was implemented due to a lack of existing theories on the subject of interest. When information is considered varied or diffused in nature, qualitative research can provide greater understanding in a systematic review (Noyes, Popay, Pearson, Hannes, & Booth, 2008). Riesenburg et al. (2010) was able to compile the results and identified barriers to effective handoffs in eight major categories: communication barriers, problems associated with standardization, equipment issues, environmental issues, a lack of or misuse of time, difficulties related to complexity of cases or high caseloads, a lack of training or education, and human factors. Likewise, the analysis led to a compiling of strategies for effective handoffs in seven major categories: communication skills, standardization strategies, technologic solutions, environmental strategies, training and education, staff involvement, and leadership (Riseanburg et al., …show more content…
The researchers concede to this and state that there is little empirical evidence constituting what is best nursing handoff practice (Riesenburg et al., 2010). “The Joint Commission is calling for structured handoffs; yet we found very little evidence to support the use of any specific structure, protocol, or method.” (Riesenburh et al., 2010, p. 32). Consequently, the researchers succeeded in observing that more high-quality research must be conducted in the pursuit of evidence-based practice. Rigorous outcome studies are needed that focus on and “assess the effectiveness of nursing handoffs, determine which elements lead to improved outcomes, and identify the best implementation strategies” (Riesenburg et al., 2010, p. 32). The compiled barriers and strategies in this review for effective nursing handoff could easily be sourced or utilized as a roadmap to an upcoming research study. However, if the researchers had cast a wider net with their search, such as including unpublished articles, different databases, and non-English publications, maybe the results would be different- more succinct or even more varied. It is hard to
Chamberlain College of Nursing
NR505: Advanced Research Methods: Evidence-Based Practice
Summer 2013
Critiquing a Systematic Review on Nursing Handoffs Systematic research reviews make it possible to pool a larger amount of data and produce larger sample sizes in hopes of synthesizing findings, making the information more valuable and leading to evidence-based practice. However, systematic reviews are not all created equal and therefore, it is important to critically assess each and every one. Riesenburg, Leitzsch, and Cunningham (2010) completed a systematic review on nursing handoffs in order to identify features of structured handoffs that are effective. Within …show more content…
(2010) conducted a qualitative conventional analysis of the content; this technique was implemented due to a lack of existing theories on the subject of interest. When information is considered varied or diffused in nature, qualitative research can provide greater understanding in a systematic review (Noyes, Popay, Pearson, Hannes, & Booth, 2008). Riesenburg et al. (2010) was able to compile the results and identified barriers to effective handoffs in eight major categories: communication barriers, problems associated with standardization, equipment issues, environmental issues, a lack of or misuse of time, difficulties related to complexity of cases or high caseloads, a lack of training or education, and human factors. Likewise, the analysis led to a compiling of strategies for effective handoffs in seven major categories: communication skills, standardization strategies, technologic solutions, environmental strategies, training and education, staff involvement, and leadership (Riseanburg et al., …show more content…
The researchers concede to this and state that there is little empirical evidence constituting what is best nursing handoff practice (Riesenburg et al., 2010). “The Joint Commission is calling for structured handoffs; yet we found very little evidence to support the use of any specific structure, protocol, or method.” (Riesenburh et al., 2010, p. 32). Consequently, the researchers succeeded in observing that more high-quality research must be conducted in the pursuit of evidence-based practice. Rigorous outcome studies are needed that focus on and “assess the effectiveness of nursing handoffs, determine which elements lead to improved outcomes, and identify the best implementation strategies” (Riesenburg et al., 2010, p. 32). The compiled barriers and strategies in this review for effective nursing handoff could easily be sourced or utilized as a roadmap to an upcoming research study. However, if the researchers had cast a wider net with their search, such as including unpublished articles, different databases, and non-English publications, maybe the results would be different- more succinct or even more varied. It is hard to