Determining the Credibility of Evidence and Resources Quality or Safety Issue

The quality issue in this scenario is a new nurse using an evidence-based approach to manage a patient with ventilator-associated pneumonia. Ventilator-associated pneumonia is a nosocomial infection that occurs 8 hours or more after the start of mechanical ventilation (Papazian et al., 2020). Mechanical ventilation compromises the lower respiratory system and permits the entry of gastrointestinal secretions into this system (Papazian et al., 2020). This is an enabler for colonization of the lower respiratory tract by microorganisms, hence Ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) (Papazian et al., 2020).

VAP is associated with high morbidity and mortality rates. Furthermore, VAP has a negative financial impact on the patient and the healthcare facility. Patients incur extra costs due to prolonged hospitalizations (Sousa et al., 2019). Data demonstrates that patients incur an additional $41,000 on the management of VAP (Sousa et al., 2019). On the other hand, an increase in the incidence of VAP attracts penalties for healthcare facilities. By so doing, monetary reimbursements from insurers will reduce significantly (Sousa et al., 2019). Nurses and other healthcare providers should embrace evidence-based practices to prevent and manage VAP adequately to reduce treatment costs and improve patient safety.

Criteria to be Considered When Determining Credibility of Resources

Nurses and other healthcare providers should embrace the CRAAP (currency, relevance, authority, accuracy, and purpose) test to determine the credibility of resources. CRAAP test enables a researcher to develop a checklist to guide the evaluation process (Esparrago-Kalidas, 2021). Resources that fulfill the components of the checklist are considered credible and reliable. Firstly, currency determines when the resource was authored, posted, reviewed, or revised (Esparrago-Kalidas, 2021). Additionally, it evaluates whether the external links are valid. Secondly, relevance examines whether the resource applies to the research topic and the target population. Thirdly, the authority authenticates the authors by evaluating their qualifications and the organizations with which they are affiliated (Esparrago-Kalidas, 2021).

Furthermore, the uniform resource locators of resources and authors are assessed to determine their correctness and relevance. Fourthly, accuracy determines whether the information provided by the resources is verifiable, logically correct, and backed by evidence (Esparrago-Kalidas, 2021). Fifthly, purpose evaluates whether the goals and objectives of the resource are stated clearly.