During which phase of PDSA is data gathered and analyzed to test the effectiveness of a solution?

The correct choice in this scenario is rooted in the purpose of the PDSA (Plan-Do-Study-Act) cycle. During the "Study" phase, data is systematically gathered and analyzed to evaluate the impact of the implemented solution. This involves comparing the results against the predictions made during the "Plan" phase to determine if the changes led to the desired improvement.

In this phase, the team reflects on what was learned from the data collection and assesses whether the changes made were beneficial. This critical assessment informs whether the solution should be refined, adopted for wider implementation, or discarded entirely, based on the evidence from the data.

The other phases serve distinct purposes: the "Plan" phase focuses on identifying the problem and outlining potential solutions, the "Do" phase involves the actual implementation of the planned changes, and the "Act" phase is concerned with making decisions based on what was learned during the "Study" phase, leading to next steps or standardization. Understanding the distinct functions of these phases is essential for effective problem-solving and process improvement within nursing leadership.