Full Answer Section

• Does a 1:1 nurse-to-patient ratio compared to 1:2 or higher ratios significantly affect nurse job satisfaction in adult ICUs?

Data Collection Plan:

• Study design: Retrospective observational study using existing medical records and administrative data.
• Sample: ICU patients admitted to participating hospitals with documented nurse-to-patient ratios (1:1 vs. 1:2 or higher) within a designated 3-month timeframe.
• Data sources:
  • Electronic medical records (EMRs) for patient demographics, diagnoses, procedures, length of stay, mortality status, and HAI diagnoses.
  • Administrative databases for nurse staffing data (nurse assignments, patient assignments, nurse characteristics).
  • Nurse surveys for self-reported job satisfaction data (collected at baseline and follow-up).
• Data analysis:
  • Multivariate analysis considering potential confounding variables such as patient acuity, comorbidities, and severity of illness.
  • Comparisons between groups (1:1 vs. 1:2 or higher) for mortality rates, HAI rates, and nurse satisfaction scores using appropriate statistical tests.

Potential Issues and Solutions:

• Data availability and quality: Ensure participating hospitals have accurate and accessible medical records and administrative data. Implement data cleaning procedures to address missing values and inconsistencies.
• Selection bias: Address potential selection bias by using appropriate sampling methods and statistical techniques. Consider propensity score matching to adjust for imbalances in baseline characteristics between groups.
• Confounding variables: Carefully control for potential confounding variables by including them in the statistical models. Consider using multivariable regression analysis.
• Nurse survey response rate: Encourage participation through multiple survey rounds, anonymity, and incentives. Consider alternative data sources for job satisfaction if necessary (e.g., exit interviews).

Responding to Classmates’ Plans:

To provide effective feedback on your classmates’ data collection plans, I would need details about their specific research topics, questions, and proposed methods. However, I can offer some general suggestions:

• Clearly define your research questions and objectives.
• Choose a data collection method that aligns with your research design and questions.
• Identify and address potential sources of bias and error in your data.
• Ensure your data analysis plan is appropriate for your chosen research questions and data.
• Consider the ethical implications of your data collection plan.

By analyzing your classmates’ plans based on these criteria, you can provide constructive feedback and suggestions for improvement.

Remember, this is just a starting point. It’s crucial to consult with research experts and tailor your data collection plan to your specific research context and resources.