While the implementation plan prepares students to apply their research to the problem or issue they have identified for their capstone project change proposal, the literature review enables students to map out and move into the active planning and development stages of the project.
A literature review analyzes how current research supports the PICOT, as well as identifies what is known and what is not known in the evidence. Students will use the PICOT question from the earlier "PICOT Question" template and information from the "Literature Evaluation Table" assignment to develop a review.
Using eight peer-reviewed articles, write 750-1,000-word review that includes the following sections:
• Introduction section (including PICOT Question)
• A summary of the purpose of the studies
• A comparison of sample populations
• A synthesis of the studies' conclusions (when looking at all of the studies together, group the conclusions by themes )
• A summary of the limitations of the studies
• A conclusion section, incorporating recommendations for further research
Sample Answer
Introduction
The transition of care between nursing shifts is one of the most vulnerable moments for patient safety in the acute care setting. Traditional shift reports conducted at the nurse’s station often exclude the patient from the conversation, leading to information gaps and increased risks of adverse events. This literature review evaluates current research to support the following PICOT Question: In hospitalized adult patients (P), how does the implementation of Bedside Shift Report (I), compared to traditional nurse-station report (C), affect the incidence of patient falls (O) over a period of six months (T)?
Summary of the Purpose of the Studies
The primary purpose across the eight peer-reviewed articles analyzed is to evaluate the impact of Bedside Shift Report (BSR) on clinical outcomes and patient engagement. Several studies specifically aimed to determine if the physical presence of two nurses at the bedside during handoff allows for an environmental safety check that reduces fall rates. Other studies focused on the "soft" outcomes of BSR, such as improved nurse-patient communication and the patient's perception of safety, which indirectly contribute to a reduction in call-light usage and unassisted ambulation.