Research topic (presented internally)

I'm the new kid on the block on my med surg floor. I have a research background but I am very new to nursing. Every year, each unit takes a topic to research and present at a hospital research fair. They are putting me in charge of it (Eek!) so I'm looking for ideas! It can be any topic related to med-surg, the nursing process, patient care, etc. TIA! :)

Is it an issue you have to gather your own research for? Or do a meta-analysis and present someone else's research?

On my med-surg unit some issues I'd like to see quantitative data on are SCIP and improved outcomes, early ambulation and improved outcomes, The importance of chart checks, patient education preventing repeat visits and better outcomes, Compliance with IV policies (changing tubing, central line dressings, IV sites, etc) and preventing blood borne infections, early identification of sepsis/cardiac events/strokes and outcomes.

We are going to do the research on our floor. One of the last projects looked at patient perceptions when the nurse came in and sat down to talk to the patient rather than standing (result was that patient perceived nurse as being less rushed).

Great suggestions!!! Thank you! I'm compiling a list of potential topics to review with my manager.

You'll have to let me know what you decide and what the results are. I'm coming up with some unit based projects as well and of course they have to be evidence based.

At the moment looking for ways to improve patient perception of communication with doctors, but aside from doctors spending more time with patients, any nursing ideas?

does hourly rounding improve patient satisfaction and reduce call light usage?

(make charts for rooms and have unit secretary record each call light time and room number)

hourly rounding should address pain, room temp, drink, bathroom. you can get fancy and have the secretary record whether any of these are asked with the call bell.

there is a great study about this on hourly rounding. Can't remember the researcher's name but you should be able to google it. We did it at a hospital I worked at and it really works and it isn't that hard to do, it can actually save time esp if the RN and the CNA switch hours.