InstructionsOverview/Description: My specialization is MSN-APRN in Family Nurse Practitioner, Make sure the entire project is centered in one topic only. The final project for NSG6101 consists of the

Running head: RESEARCH PROPOSAL FOR A PICOT-ORIENTED RESEARCH 0

Research proposal for a PICOT-oriented research

Yulak Landa

Dr. Allen

South University

April 12th, 2020

Introduction

Due to the current pandemic issue of COVID-19, one of the current requirements includes using face masks as one of the personal protection measures. However, it is unclear of which face is the best to use, especially for the public population. This research proposal compares both standard face mask and respirator masks efficiency to protect an individual against CVID-19 infections. Through this comparison, it will be possible to identify effective use of the face mask and how an individual can optimize protection measures against this killer disease. The research will also include an assessment of the levels of risk associated with using face masks; it will look at a different situation such as performance of hygiene measure before and after putting on protection gears. Moreover, the research will also recommend the proper procedure to put on and remove protection equipment at safe distance ones a nurse or and physician has attended to the patient.

According to the current research, it is suggested that this disease is spread through airborne transmission of air contaminated infected respiratory droplets during facial communication or through open coughs and sneezing. Other ways that an individual can get infected include getting in contact with contaminated and then touching the face.

A standard face mask is a personal protection designed to provide contact-barrier for the slashes and droplets that can accidentally get on the face of an individual. The quality for these face masks is approved for both public, and healthcare providers use, and the expert recommends that if this mask gets damaged or moisturized, the user should replace it with a new one. On the other hand, respiratory masks protect the user from inhaling infectious airborne particles. They must be fitted tightly on the face, and it is suggested that to provide the highest level of protection, the user must also wear eye protection. Since COVID-19 is a new disease comparing the efficacy of these two face masks will help identify effective measures and ways through which an individual can protect him or herself from infectious of this disease.

Despite that, people are aware of the risk associated with this disease, and I high percentage of the population in the world is following the instructions given. The disease continues to spread in different parts of the world. For example, according to the "World Health Organization" (2020), the current positive-confirmed patients globally are a total of 167, 515with 13, 903 new cases, and 6606 deaths. This shows that there is still much that needs to be done, and most specifically, experts suggest that incorporating hygiene measures with the use of personal protective measures has proved to be a practical approach for protection. Despite that everybody is vulnerable, healthcare providers have an enormous responsibility to protect them in the process of providing healthcare service to confirmed COVID-19 positive patients. The vulnerability of the exposure might affect their operation efficiency due to fear for their well-being.

The PICOT question proposed for the research

With the current COVID-19 pandemic in the world, most victims admitted under the intensive care unit, how does using a respiratory face mask compare with using standard face masks under the high risk of exposure in a healthcare setting since the outbreak?

This PICOT question will enhance the research to focus on primary clinical areas, which include healthcare providers’ safety, risk of exposure, the efficiency of protection equipment used in healthcare, and the consequence of inefficient use of protective equipment. It will identify healthcare providers' safety while providing healthcare service to COVID_19 patients wearing personal protection equipment. This will include identifying preferred types of masks and level of hygiene measures used before putting on and out protection equipment. The research will be carried out through questionnaire forms send to different healthcare facilities through social media.

Some of the alternative hypothesis for this research includes:

1. Using standard face masks is more secure and efficient than using respiratory face masks

2. Increasing hygiene leads to an increase in the efficiency of personal protective equipment.

3. Both respiratory and standard facemasks are efficient protective measure against infections of COVID-19

4. Increasing protection efficiency increase the quality of healthcare services provider for the COVID19 patients

The null hypothesis will include:

1. Using respiratory face masks is more efficient than using standard face masks

2. Increasing hygiene does not increase the efficiency of personal protection equipment

3. No of the face masks are effective protection measure against infection of COVID-19 virus

4. Increasing protection efficiency does not increase the quality of care for COVID-19 patients in healthcare.

References

World Health Organization. (2020, March 16). Retrieved from https://www.who.int/docs/default-source/coronaviruse/situation-reports/20200316-sitrep-56-covid-19.pdf?sfvrsn=9fda7db2_6