Question

Review one of the suggested articles. What is the research problem being addressed? What variables have the researchers identified? What study design was used? How did the researchers collect and measure the data? Discuss the rationale for choosing the method(s). Discuss the validity and reliability of the instruments used.

Hansen, L. O., Williams, M. V., & Singer, S. J. (2011). Perceptions of hospital safety climate and incidence of readmission. Health Services Research, 46(2), 596–616. doi:10.1111/j.1475-6773.2010.01204.x

Hill, A., Etherton-Beer, C., & Haines, T. P. (2013). Tailored education for older patients to facilitate engagement in falls prevention strategies after hospital discharge—a pilot randomized controlled trial. Plos ONE, 8(5), 1–11. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0063450

Answer 1

Answer for first article

Research problem : it was to define the relationship between hospital patient safety and hospitals rate of rehospitalization within 30 days of discharge.

Variables: Independent variable - Measures of safety climate

Dependent variable : 30 day risk - standardized readmission rates

Study design : Cross sectional study of 67 hospitals

Data collection method and measurement of data: Robust multiple Regression method was used for 30 day risk- standardised readmission rates as dependent variables in separate disease- specific models( acute myocardial infarction ( AMI) hheart failure(HF), pneumonia and measures of safety climate as independent variables

They measured the data by estimating separate models for all hospital staff as well as physicians , nurses , hospital senior managers and frontline staff.

Rationale for choosing the method : Readmission rate are becoming a standard indicator of inpatient and post- discharge quality of care and a metric for performance based reimbursement, so using this method is applicable for the study.

Validity and reliability of the instruments used : inter rater method and per cent problematic response