Evidence - Based Practice Paper

Evidence-Based Practice Paper I’m in need of an evidence-based practice paper for nursing school with the above title. I need the proper citations that go with APA7th, and I also need 2 direct quotes from the files that I uploaded. I have a PICOT question that should be included toward the beginning of the paper: In adults seen in the emergency department (ED)who are eligible for the influenza vaccine, how do nurse driven influenza vaccination programs, compared to standard care , (influenza education vs no influenza education), affect the patient’s willingness to receive the vaccine during the ED visit?  

Evidence-Based Practice Paper – Nurse-Driven Influenza Vaccination Programs in the Emergency Department

Influenza causes significant illness and death and remains a major public health challenge. This is especially true for vulnerable populations who are disproportionately affected, leading to limited access to care, higher hospitalization rates, severe complications, and increased overall mortality risk. Emergency departments (EDs) are a vital entry point to healthcare, particularly for individuals who may not have regular access to primary care. Implementing preventive measures, such as flu vaccination, can enhance health outcomes. Nurse-led vaccination programs Nurse-led vaccination initiatives are proven, evidence-based strategies that boost vaccine acceptance. They lead to higher vaccine uptake. These programs remove vaccination barriers, improve workflows, and utilize nursing autonomy. The PICOT question guiding this analysis is: In adults visiting the ED who are eligible for the influenza vaccine, how do nurse-led vaccination programs compare to standard care (flu education versus no education) in influencing patients’ willingness to get vaccinated during their visit?   Evidence-based practice (EBP) directs nurse-led vaccination efforts by combining clinical expertise, patient preferences, and current research. In the fast-paced ED environment, where urgent care needs might limit preventive actions, nurses play a crucial role in identifying eligible patients and starting vaccinations. These programs often include standing orders that enable nurses to independently evaluate patient eligibility and give the vaccine, helping to reduce delays and prevent missed vaccination opportunities. Research shows that nurse-led influenza vaccination programs in the emergency department (ED) are effective. Findings reported by Bischof et al. (2025) indicate that structured ED-based vaccination programs significantly increase vaccination rates. The study highlighted that “implementation of a structured vaccination workflow within the ED led to measurable improvements in vaccine delivery without disrupting patient throughput” (Bischof et al., 2025, p. 133). This finding emphasizes the importance of integrating routine ED care with vaccination, demonstrating that it is a practical intervention that does not disrupt efficiency. Supporting nurse-led vaccination efforts enables healthcare systems to use existing patient visits to implement preventive health measures. Similarly, Parrish et al. (2022) studied factors that influence vaccine acceptance among ED patients in an influenza vaccination effort. The study’s results showed that involving nursing staff and providing patient education are crucial steps to encourage vaccine acceptance. The study noted that “patients were more likely to accept vaccination when provided with clear, concise education from nursing staff during their ED visit” (Parrish et al., 2022, p. 630). These results suggest that patient choices are affected by trust and good communication. Nurse-led vaccination programs improve vaccine delivery and boost patient understanding by addressing misconceptions and reducing vaccine hesitancy. German et al. (2024) confirm that patient education increases willingness to receive the flu vaccine. The study examined the impact of a quality-improvement initiative on boosting vaccination rates among ED patients, finding that targeted patient education interventions significantly enhance their readiness to vaccinate. It highlights that personalized communication and culturally sensitive patient education are particularly effective with diverse patient groups. This aligns with the PICOT question, showing that combining nurse-led education with a comprehensive vaccination approach effectively increases patients’ willingness to vaccinate compared to standard care, which usually lacks structured educational strategies. The three reviewed studies clearly indicate that nurse-led vaccination efforts are crucial for reducing healthcare disparities. Many patients visiting the ED belong to vulnerable groups and come from underserved communities, facing barriers such as socioeconomic challenges, limited access to primary care, or lack of insurance. Providing vaccines during ED visits enables nurses to help bridge these gaps and promote health equity. Parrish et al. (2022) show that initiatives led by the ED are particularly valuable for patients without ongoing healthcare providers, emphasizing the ED’s vital role as a safety net for preventive services. Although nurse-led vaccination initiatives in the ED provide benefits, they also face some challenges. Common obstacles include concerns about workflow disruptions, other responsibilities, and limited time. However, research shows that integrating vaccination protocols into electronic health records (EHRs), offering comprehensive staff training, and careful planning can help address these issues. Bischof et al. (2025) note that smoothly incorporating vaccination into ED operations requires an organized workflow. Evidence-Based Practice Paper Additionally, interdisciplinary teamwork and strong leadership are vital for maintaining these efforts. From an EBP perspective, nurse-led influenza vaccination initiatives support quality improvement goals and align with key public health priorities. They demonstrate how nursing leadership can drive innovation and enhance patient outcomes. Through patient education, standardized protocols, and standing orders, these vaccination programs can boost the effectiveness and efficiency of preventive care. Additionally, they enable nurses to operate at the top of their scope of practice, highlighting the essential contributions they make to population health management. In summary, nurse-led influenza vaccination programs in the ED are proven to be effective at encouraging patients to get vaccinated and increasing vaccination rates. The evidence consistently supports these programs as beneficial and practical, especially when paired with patient education. The PICOT is backed by evidence from the identified literature, which shows that nurse-driven interventions, compared to standard care, significantly boost patients’ willingness to receive influenza vaccines during ED visits. As healthcare shifts toward prevention, expanding nurse-led vaccination efforts in the ED offers a feasible and impactful strategy to reduce influenza-related morbidity and promote public health Evidence-Based Practice Paper.

References

Bischof, J. J., Reichert, E. M., Maitland, J., Queen, J. M., Cobranchi, C., Conroy, M. J., Adkins, E., Martin, D. R., & Lyons, M. S. (2025). Evaluation of an influenza vaccine administration program in the emergency department. The American Journal of Emergency Medicine, 97, 131–135. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ajem.2025.07.038 German, P. H., Lazenby, M., Phillips, S., & Jun, A. (2024). The Effect of a Quality Improvement Project on Improving Patients’ Willingness to Receive an Influenza Vaccination in the Emergency Department. Journal of Immigrant and Minority Health, 26(3), 474–481. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10903-023-01574-2 Parrish, C., Phares, C. A., Fredrickson, T., Lynch, J. B., Whiteside, L. K., & Duber, H. C. (2022). Evaluation of an Emergency Department Influenza Vaccination Program: Uptake Factors and Opportunities. The Western Journal of Emergency Medicine, 23(5), 628–632. https://doi.org/10.5811/westjem.2022.5.55227 Evidence-Based Practice Paper