Research Summary on the Optical Hand Washing Technique that Reduces Bacterial Contamination Before Neuraxial Anesthesia

Yes: The sampling methods have been well stated. There were different five randomized study groups that were used as samples

Is the sample of sufficient size for the study, given the number of variables and design? State design (blind RCT studysufficient size for this type of design.

The research question was answered by the sample question showing that the sample collected from the operators forearm was sufficient (Siddiqui et al. 2017). The study design that was used was the randomized control trial.

Is there adequate assurance that the rights of human subjects were protected?

Yes: The study was approved by the Research Ethics board of Mount Sinai Hospital, Toronto. This is an indication and approval that the rights of the human subjected was protected. Also, informed written context was also obtained from the participants.

Are appropriate instruments for data collection used? What instruments were used and how used?

Yes, appropriate instruments were used. The instrument that was used is sterile Dacron-tipped swabs. It was pre-moistened in sterile normal saline by a trained research assistant (Siddiqui et al. 2017).

Are validity and reliability of the measurement instruments adequate?

The reliability and the validity of the measurement instruments were adequate. This is because there was consistency in measurement which validated the results that were obtained.

Critique section

The article looking at the optical hand washing technique that reduces bacterial contamination before neuraxial anesthesia is very educative. The study has some strength as it followed all the needed steps during its writing. The author gave a brief abstract that introduced the reader to the overall idea that the study was also about and then detailed introduction that gives the reader a more in-depth knowledge concerning different hand washing technique that is used and how they can reduce bacterial contamination. The authors have been very clear and used the correct scientific terms that can convey their message to the target audience. In the method that was used to collect the data, there were five randomized groups that were dealing with different things. This was a plus for the research as it gave a leeway to research on all the possibilities that existed. However, I feel that as much as the sample collected gave the desired answer, it was wrong to collect the sample from just the operator's arm. The research could have used a variety of options to find diverse answers and come with the best findings from the study. The instruments that were used were valid as they gave a consistency in the figures for the particular groups that were involved. Different statistical analysis methods were taken into use during the study. The exchangeable correlation matrix and logistic regression were used to account for the clustered nature of data. The use of RCT in the study was also the strength as it is a very clear and better ways of understanding how the research was carried out and the outcome that each group came up with. The study has given tables that show statistical analysis of the study. This is also strength in the study as it puts out the finding of each group and also gives more details that can help reach the findings.

Reference

Siddiqui, N., Friedman, Z., McGeer, A., Yousefzadeh, A., Carvalho, J. C., & Davies, S. (2017). Optimal hand washing technique to minimize bacterial contamination before neuraxial anesthesia: a randomized control trial. International Journal of Obstetric Anesthesia, 29, 39-44.