PICOT Worksheet Guidelines
Updated 4/26/2017
Purpose
Clear identification of the problem or opportunity is the first step in evidence-based nursing. This assignment offers a tool to assist in the identification of the problem, proposed intervention, and desired outcomes. Completion of the assignment will include identification of the problem or concern using the PICOT format.
Course Outcomes
This assignment enables the student to meet the following Course Outcome.
CO1: Examine the sources of evidence that contribute to professional nursing practice. (PO7)
Due Date
Submit the completed PICOT Worksheet form (Links to an external site.) by Sunday, 11:59 p.m. MT at the end of Week 3.
Points
This assignment is worth 200 points.
Directions
- Read these guidelines including the grading rubrics below. Watch this video on how to complete the assignment at (Links to an external site.)
- Download the PICOT Worksheet form (Links to an external site.).
- Consider what is the nursing problem or issue that you have uncovered. Make sure it is related to nursing, i.e., one that a nurse can solve independently. Do not select a medical problem that is dependent upon a medical professional to resolve.
- Download an Example (Links to an external site.) of how to fill in the worksheet to help you complete your own form.
- Submit the completed PICOT Worksheet form.
Example 1:
What is the PICO question?
Will influenza immunization compliancy rates increase if flu clinics are provided in a Flu PODS and immunization clinics at convenient times covering all shifts?
Define each element of the question below:
P- (Patient, population, or problem): Hospital employees and volunteers required to have the influenza immunization annually
I -(Intervention): Offer multiple Flu “PODS” and immunization clinics to hospital employees and volunteers making it convenient to receive the required immunization. Offer at a variety of times, available to all shifts
C- (Comparison with other treatment/current practice): Compare analytics showing employees and volunteers who received flu shot prior to 2016 when Flu PODS and immunization clinics were not offered compared to 2016 where Flu PODS and immunization clinics are offered to accommodate shifts. Track number of employees/volunteers coming at each hour time frame.
O- (Desired outcome): Increase of compliance of receiving the annual mandatory flu shot by employees and volunteers
Example 2:
What is the PICO question?
For non-diabetic patients on corticosteroid therapy, does monitoring for headache, fatigue, nausea, vomiting, and blurred vision hourly vs. no observations for signs of hyperglycemia promote improvement of pulmonary complications?
Define each element of the question below:
P- (Patient, population, or problem): Non-diabetic patients on corticosteroid therapy.
I- (Intervention): Monitoring for headache, fatigue, nausea, vomiting, and blurred vision
C- (Comparison with other treatment/current practice): No observations for signs of hyperglycemia
O- (Desired outcome): Improvement of pulmonary complications
T-(Time): 90 days
**Academic Integrity Reminder**
Chamberlain College of Nursing values honesty and integrity. All students should be aware of the Academic Integrity policy and follow it in all discussions and assignments.
By submitting this assignment, I pledge on my honor that all content contained is my own original work except as quoted and cited appropriately. I have not received any unauthorized assistance on this assignment.
Please see the grading criteria and rubrics on this page.
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Expert Solution Preview
Introduction: The PICOT Worksheet is an essential tool in evidence-based nursing for identifying nursing problems, proposed interventions, and desired outcomes to resolve the concern. As a medical professor, it is crucial to provide students with guidelines and examples to enable them to complete the assignment successfully.
Answer: The purpose of the PICOT Worksheet is to identify the nursing problem or issue related to nursing that a nurse can solve independently. It offers a tool to assist in the identification of the problem, proposed intervention, and desired outcomes. The completion of the assignment will enable the student to meet the Course Outcome of examining the sources of evidence that contribute to professional nursing practice. The assignment is worth 200 points and is due Sunday, 11:59 p.m. MT at the end of Week 3.
