In acute care hospitals (P), how does having a rapid response team (I) compared with not having a response team (C) affect the number of cardiac arrests (O) during a three-month period (T)?

  • In women with gestational diabetes (P), how does a monitored diet and exercise program over the course of pregnancy (I &T), compared to the use of metformin only (C) reduce the incidence of high birth weight babies(O)?
  • In patients admitted for acute myocardial infarction (P), how well does the hospital’s new data model created from EMR data (I) compared to current practices (C) predict readmission rates (O) within 30 days after initial discharge (T)?
  • For patients of a rural health clinic (P), does the use of text message reminders (I), compared with telephone calls (C) reduce the number of missed appointments (O) over a six month period (T)?

References:

  • Melnyk, B.M., Fineout-Overholt, E., Stillwell, S. & Williamson, K. M. (2010). Evidence-Based Practice: Step by Step: The Seven Steps of Evidence-Based Practice. AJN, American Journal of Nursing, 110, 51-53.
  • Posing the research question: Not so simple
  • To make your case, start with a PICOT question
  • What is your research question? An introduction to the PICOT format for clinicians.
  • Melnyk, B. M., & Fineout-Overholt, E. (2015). Evidence-based practice in nursing & healthcare: A guide to best practice. (Not in library)