Running head: A QUALITATIVE ANALYSIS OF CLINICIANS' PERCEPTION OF

A Qualitative Analysis of Clinicians' Perception of Head-of-Bed Elevation
Jolly Abraham
Grand Canyon University
NRS-433V
January 09, 2011

A Qualitative Analysis of Clinicians' Perception of Head-of-Bed Elevation
Ventilator - associated pneumonia (VAP) is the second most common hospital acquired infection (HAI) and is associated with high morbidity and mortality rates for ventilated patients in intensive care units (Bingham, Ashley, Jong, & Swift, 2010). The VAP increases patients’ mortality rates, length of stay and hospital costs (Hiner, Kasuya, Cottingham, & Whitney, 2010). The VAP is the leading causes of death due to nosocomial infections and the …show more content…

The mannequin placed in supine and head of the bed was elevated to 300. The 300 HOB elevation was recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Joint Commission, and the Institute for Health care Improvement’s five million campaign as well as the hospital‘s standard guidelines. A two week trial was conducted; the mannequin was transported to seven intensive care units at different times throughout the day, evening and nightshifts. In this study, the clinicians were asked to stand two feet away from the foot or side of the bed and determine the HOB angle (Hiner et al., 2010). Besides the clinicians need to document their findings in a survey form and also has to answer the questions in order to find out their knowledge regarding the recommended HOB elevation and VAP prevention (Hiner et al.). The researchers reported that accuracy of perception of HOB elevation was ascertained correctly by 50% nurses and 53% physicians; the correct range was estimated at between25 to 350s(Hiner et al., 2010, p. 166). The nurses, respiratory technicians followed by physical and occupational therapists, and physicians, were correctly identified the rationale behind the recommended HOB elevation (Hiner et al.). The clinicians were used different techniques in order to identify the correct