Injury can predisposes patients to diseases and conditions that previously would be fought off by the body’s immune system. The rationale behind research studies is it to prove or disprove a theory. Evidence based practice is used in nursing to validate the care we give to our patients it substantiates the interventions taken, and gives us an idea why that particular intervention is, or is not effective. The research article “High Incidence of post- injury pneumonia in intensive care-treated trauma patients” (Hyllienmark, Brattstrom, Larsson, Martling, Petersson, & Oldner, 2013) is an article that sought to prove that patients who are admitted to ICU due to trauma were at a higher risk of developing pneumonia than other admission patients. The title of the article is fitting and encompasses the topic of study concerning the article. The independent variable is defined as a variable that influences the dependent variable outcome (Schmidt & Brown, 2012). The dependent variable is defined as the variable that is influenced by the independent variable (Schmidt & Brown, 2012). Both variables are clearly defined. The independent variables in this study are the interventions taken on the unit that would prevent patients developing pneumonia, such as suctioning, turning and positioning deep breathing exercises as well as chest PT. The dependent variable is whether or not the patient develops pneumonia. The abstract gives a clear and concise overview of the intent of the study. It summarizes the complete research study and explains what the goals of the study were intended to be. Trauma patients are susceptible to post injury infections, and because of the higher incidence of infection, the article sought to look at incidence of pneumonia infection in ICU patients (Hyllienmark et al., 2013).” The article investigated the incidence, as well as risk factors for development of pneumonia in intensive care unit (ICU) treated trauma patients.
The demographics of the sample were compiled to include data on 322 trauma patients, which were age 15 or greater who had a stay of greater than 24 hours in ICU. The goal of the study was to show a relationship between ICU patients developing pneumonia and the interventions taken while the patient in being cared for in the unit. In essence the study was looking at care related outcomes. There authors identify the significance of the study stating “Early recognition of patients at risk may contribute to optimizing initial resuscitation and ICU care (Hyllienmark et al., 2013).” Adequate information regarding the study background was provided. The information provided was as follows “Patient data were analyzed to identify potential risk factors in the early phases after trauma for later development of pneumonia (Hyllienmark et al., 2013).” The authors explain the purpose of the study to be aimed to look at the incidence of pneumonia infection in ICU admitted trauma patients, and the effectiveness of the interventions taken by staff.
The article takes into account past studies with the same hypothesis and correlates it with the present study stating “prior work has also shown that post injury pneumonia results in prolonged ICU and hospital stay, increased healthcare costs and delayed recovery (Hyllienmark et al., 2013).” The article infers that according to a preceding article it was stated that there was a 33% incidence of pneumonia as a post injury complication (Antonelli, Capelli, De Blasi, D’Errico, Conti, & Gasparetto, 1994 ). The Hyllienmark et al.,article does include a summary of their review of literature in an effort to reveal what is known and not known as well as the areas that further study is implicated. The article is quoted as saying “Diverging results regarding the influence of severity of injury may suggest that other factors than the extent of the tissue injury per se may be involved in the development of post injury pneumonia
