Nurse Decision-Making Model Summary

Aspect of the Report The purpose of this study was to determine if the decision-making models nurses use affect the frequency of rapid response team (RRT) activation. Carlo G. Parker, PhD, RN, CNL performed a literature review, determining that increased RRT activation provided better patient outcomes. However, overall hospital mortality rates from 2010 to 2011 have increased (Parker, 2014). This is the third and fourth year after a RRT requirement for hospitals was enforced by the Joint Commission (Parker, 2014). The review found that many articles determined a need for nurses to activate the response teams sooner and with more frequency. The study entailed a demographic questionnaire of nurse’s last RRT activation. It also included the Nurse …show more content…
More specifically, he uses 3 decision-making models that are based on these theories: analytical, analytical-intuitive/intuitive-analytical, and intuitive. Parker does not define the first two theories, but he does describe the three models, which are the basis of the study. Parker also mentions the “Nurse Decision-Making Instrument (NDMI)” (Parker, 2014). This is the tool he uses to determine the decision making results of this study. The study does fall short in providing an example of the instrument, which would be helpful to the reader.
Hypotheses or Research Questions The research question to be answered in this research study is: “Does the decision-making model used by nurses to activate the RRT influence the frequency of RRT activation?” (Parker, 2014). The question is relevant, and correlates with the framework and literature review. Parker alludes to increased RRT activation causing decreased mortality and FTR in the literature review. If there is a relationship between a decision-making model and an increased frequency of RRT activation, one could deduce that using a certain decision-making model can decrease mortality and FTR. …show more content…
The study also suggests that analytical decision making can be taught, and references studies where effective clinical decision making was taught to RNs and nursing students. “Enhancing the ability of the nurse to recognize a deteriorating patient and activate the RRT in a timely fashion may cause a relational decrease in mortality and morbidity related to FTR” (Parker, 2014). The conclusion states that the connection between analytical decision-making, increased frequency of RRT activation and decreased hospital mortality should be investigated