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The Iowa Model Analysis

Decent Essays

The Iowa Model was originally developed in 1994 by a nurse named Marita Titler.4,5 It was created for the acute care setting and was first utilized by the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics (UIHC). The model has since been implemented in a large number of clinical research studies, nursing journals, and academic courses.4,5 Since 1994, the Iowa model has been revised to incorporate user feedback, emerging types of evidence, and transformations in the health care market .4
The purpose of the Iowa Model is to direct practitioners in the use of evidence and research to better patient care and health outcomes. Rycroft-Malone and Bucknall8 point out that the model is both descriptive and explanatory. This means that the model explains the …show more content…

Models that fall under this thematic area aim to enhance patient care and outcomes through appraisal of evidence. Most use a step-by-step approach of identifying a healthcare issue, seeking out appropriate evidence, evaluating that evidence, and then applying it to the issue at hand to improve healthcare outcomes.7 These models also take into consideration the appropriateness of certain types of evidence and, if lacking, provide a process for obtaining new and relevant information.7 Methods for transforming this evidence into practice, such as a new practice standard, are also emphasized in these …show more content…

5 First, teamwork is essential. For example, Brown6 describes an oncology floor that employed the Iowa Model to decrease patient falls. Physicians, nurses, occupational and physical therapists collaborated, reviewed evidence, and implemented a practice change. Because of the interdisciplinary team approach, the number of falls decreased as did the financial burdens on the organization.6 Continual evaluation of new research and current practices is also necessary. Brown6 goes on to mention in his article how the oncology team continues to monitor patient falls monthly to see if any further practice changes are needed. Titler5 emphasizes as her last point that evidence-based practice is a process, meaning many stages are necessary to foster practice change and gain support of the

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