Use the theory that you developed in week two. Improve it by using the information you have obtained in the intervening weeks. Use the Conceptual – Theoretical – Empirical Model (CTE) to link the operational definitions with the empirical indicators with the theoretical concepts and the conceptual model components. Post your revised theory and explain how you would measure the concepts and proposition in a research study.
Expectations
Initial Post:
Length: A minimum of 1250 words, not including references
Citations: At least one high-level scholarly reference in APA from within the last 5 years
Discussion
The selected theory is Florence Nightingale whose theory was based on the idea a healthy environment is needed for proper nursing care and an adequate healing process. Nightingale focused on the environment and she, therefore, defined them based on the concepts of ventilation, warmth, light, cleanliness, diet, and noise. Nightingale’s believed that sufficient lighting, nutritious food, proper ventilation, and cleanliness are important aspects of environmental health (Norman et al., 2016).
The selected concepts for this theory are proper ventilation and warmth and adequate lighting. Based on the concepts of proper ventilation, the focus of Nightingale was on proper ventilation as a key factor that is needed for an effective supply of air to facilitate the breathing of the patient. Concerning sufficient lighting, patients require the beneficial effects of sunlight and, therefore, nurses are required to move and place patients in a position that they can have adequate light (Norman et al., 2016).
The proposition between the two concepts is that they are both aimed at ensuring that there is quality healthcare outcome for the patients. Both concepts are aimed at improving the surrounding environment of the patients to promote the healing process. Patients require proper ventilation to ensure that the breathing process is promoted. Both light and air are required to promote the patient’s recovery process. The supply of air and light is achieved through the opening of the windows and through a proper position of the patient in the room to ensure that the source of light and ventilation process is promoted (Norman et al., 2016).
In the healthcare facility, the term ventilation and lighting might not be used directly in reference to the promotion of the patient’s healing environment. Nevertheless, the two terms are generalized in the healthcare facility to refer to the factors that support the healing environment. The diffusion of lighting that is softened through a reflection of the ceiling is beneficial to dementia patients through ensuring that shadows are reduced. Nevertheless, this might be misinterpreted as objects, holes, or the steps that are being taken to help in the reduction of risk of falls (Cornell et al., 2016).
References
Cornell, P. Y., Grabowski, D. C., Cohen, M., Shi, X., & Stevenson, D. G. (2016). Medical underwriting in long-term care insurance: Market conditions limit options for higher-risk consumers. Health Affairs, 35(8), 1494-1503.
Norman, V., Rossillo, K., & Skelton, K. (2016). Creating healing environments through the theory of caring. AORN Journal, 104(5), 401-409.
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Conceptual Model:
The conceptual model is based on Florence Nightingale’s Environmental Theory which focuses on how the patient’s environment impacts their health and healing process. The key concepts are ventilation, warmth, light, cleanliness, noise, and diet.
Theoretical Framework:
The theoretical framework is that providing patients with a healthy healing environment through sufficient ventilation, warmth, light, cleanliness, and proper diet and noise levels will promote their recovery and lead to better health outcomes.
Operational Definitions:
Ventilation – The rate at which air moves through a space. It will be measured by the number of air changes per hour in patient rooms.
Warmth – The ambient temperature in patient rooms. It will be measured in degrees Fahrenheit.
Light – The level of illumination in patient rooms. It will be measured in lux or foot-candles.
Cleanliness – The sanitary conditions and hygiene practices in patient rooms and facilities. It will be measured by audits of cleanliness using a standardized checklist.
Noise – The background noise level in patient rooms. It will be measured in decibels (dB).
Diet – The nutritional quality and variety of food provided to patients. It will be measured using a standardized diet quality index.
Empirical Indicators:
The empirical indicators that the above concepts impact health outcomes are:
Length of hospital stay
Rate of hospital acquired infections
Patient satisfaction scores
Readmission rates within 30 days
Propositions:
Higher levels of ventilation, light, and warmth with lower noise levels will be associated with shorter hospital stays.
Higher levels of cleanliness, ventilation and light with proper diet and lower noise will lead to lower rates of hospital acquired infections.
Higher levels of all environmental factors (ventilation, light, warmth, cleanliness, diet, and lower noise) will result in higher patient satisfaction scores.
Higher levels of all environmental factors will predict lower 30-day readmission rates.
To test these propositions, I would conduct a quantitative study collecting data on the operationalized environmental factors and health outcomes in multiple hospitals. Statistical analysis using regression models could examine the relationships between the concepts and empirical indicators. Data could also be collected through patient surveys and medical record reviews.
