Statistical Process Control in Nursing Research (Essay Sample)

Statistical Process Control in Nursing Research – Article Summary
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Statistical Process Control in Nursing Research – Article Summary
The purpose of the study by Polit & Chaboyer (2011) is identified as providing an overview to the Statistical Process Control (SPC) method as an alternative to randomized control trials (RCTs) and quasi-experimental designs commonly used to test interventions in nursing. Its practicality is tested through applying it to improve the nursing practice referred to as Transforming Care at the Bedside (TCAB). The study recognizes that although the use of RCTs is common, there are instances in nursing and practice improvement where randomization is not an option for the groups or sites involved owing to the desire for practicality. The alternative in such cases is quasi-experimental designs without randomization. Quasi-experimental designs account for over half of the studies in nursing research.
SPC analyzes variations through the use of control charts which plot outcomes over time to show patterns of variations. Therefore, one requirement is the presence of measurement data collected over time in form of either continuous or count-type measures. The guiding principle is that these measurements show variation over time. A control chart includes measurements for the variations over time and has additional features such as a centerline that provides an average for the observations, and an upper and lower limit. There are four main control charts and the underlying assumption in all of them is they are independent from each other.
In testing the application of SPC on Transforming Care at the Bedside (TCAB) (whose aim was to improve patient care and nursing experience in hospitals), three nursing-sensitive patient outcomes on two medical units and one rehabilitation were used. There was no priori formal plan and only routinely collected data was available. Data used was collected 14 months before and 19 months after the implementation of TCAB. The