Question

Not all EBP projects result in statistically significant results. Define clinical significance, and explain the difference between clinical and statistical significance. How can you use clinical significance to support positive outcomes in your project? My project is central line catheter infection prevention. Referencees is required

Answer 1

1.Clinical significance is meant to convey how effective the treatment is.it is based on effect size as they have their independent source of bias and can vary based on the population variability and its dependent variable.it mainly focus on group effects.

2 Stastical significance-

• it is based on hypothesis testing.
• it is based on compatability between observed data and what could be expected under the assumption that the null hypothesis is true.

Clinical significance

• Depends on the effectiveness of intervention.
• it convey semi quantitative,comparatative assessments of utility.
• 3 Clinical significance helps in identifying various procedures used to prevent central line catheter infection .For instance in case of Peripherally inserted central venous catheters (PICCs)there is less chance of bloodstream infection than catheters placed in th internal jugular or subclavian veins.But the answer is no .In a prospective clinical study by Maki with 251 PICC placements,means the duration of catheter was about 11.3 days)demonstrated a rate of CRBSI of 2.1 -3.5 per 1000 catheter days.This rate is comparable to that seen with internal jugular and subclavian central venous catheters ie 2-5 per 1000 catheter days ) and higher than that of tunneled and cuffed catheters(1 per 1000 catheter days).

References=SafdarN,Maki DG:Risk of catheter -related bloodstream infection with periperally inserted central venous catheters used in hospitalized patients .Chest 128:489-495,2005.