Research and Innovation
A Message from the Director
Nurses have the capacity to transform healthcare by bringing nurses’ unique perspectives to the most intractable problems in healthcare. Rigorous, high-quality nursing research, an essential component of professional nursing practice, creates an evidence-base that advances the nursing practice and contributes to improving nurse, patient, and system outcomes. Encouraging discovery opens doors to innovations that improve and maximize the quality of life for patients and families regardless of where they reside on their health journey.
One might ask why should clinical nurses do research? The answer is simple and straightforward; nurses are closest to the patient and family who may be experiencing a lonely and frightening hospitalization or disease. The most clinically relevant and meaningful questions to guide clinical research and innovation come from the nurses who practice directly at the bedside with patients. Clinical inquiry, including research, innovation, and evidence-based practice, improves outcomes and evaluates care and nursing care systems for efficiencies and effectiveness, serving as an incubator for innovation.
UH nurses have long been recognized for their commitment to patients and nursing excellence. A core pillar of the UH strategic mission and vision is Nursing Research and Innovation. UH nurses developing, expanding, and sustaining research and innovation is an essential foundation in advancing the capacity and recognition for their contribution specifically to nursing and, generally, to the larger care delivery team.
UH values the culture of discovery, supporting it despite the disruption imposed by COVID-19. Within the professional governance structure resides the Research and Innovation Council, with membership inclusive of nurses working across all roles and specialties, including clinical nurses, advanced practice nurses, leaders, and nurse scientists. The Council is co-chaired by a clinical nurse and the Director of Nursing Research and Innovation. Collectively the Council is charged with facilitating the spirit of inquiry in providing guidance and assistance through institutional support, education, mentorship, and peer review.
We are overly proud of the Research and Innovation Council’s accomplishments in 2020-2021, which included supporting ongoing research projects. Notably, research projects included the evaluation of video monitoring of suicidal patients in the Emergency Department, examination of positive and negative mental health responses of nurses during COVID-19, use of technology in diabetes distress and diabetes self-management, effects of aromatherapy for pain in orthopedic patients, and an interdisciplinary study on delirium. Innovation projects included an interdisciplinary Post ICU Syndrome Clinic, led by Clinical Nurse Specialists. In the Behavior Health Institute, the APRN Psychiatry Transition to Practice Program expands care and improves treatment outcomes for patients with psychiatric and substance abuse disorders through the development of expert nurse practitioners.
Ongoing research in the Seidman Cancer Center includes a randomized controlled trial testing a family caregiver intervention that incorporates simulation for skills training and a descriptive study examining disparities in breast cancer as they relate to the symptom experience during chemotherapy. Also, a national survey of over 300 cancer centers was conducted to evaluate oncology and supportive care services for adolescents and young adults with cancer. In Rainbow Babies & Children, ongoing studies from the advanced practice nurses in the Rainbow Heart Center, a study investigating diaper change stress in newborn infants, and a retrospective study exploring the reliability of parental identification of seizure resolution in children on medication therapy diagnosed with infantile epileptic encephalopathy.
Expanding the reach of research and innovation, the UH Cleveland Medical Center-based Council engaged in discussion, planning, and designing a pathway to a system-wide Research and innovation Council that is ready for implementation. Council members also developed educational programming describing the process for getting started in research and the UH resources that are available to plan, design, and implement a project. On invitation, these educational sessions were presented during nurses’ week and to groups such as the Nursing Leaders for Impact Fellowship and specialty-based groups of advanced practice nurses. In addition, members of the Council continued to be available for individual nurse consultations to develop projects as well as to provide scientific review of research prior to IRB review.
In a year of inexplicable and unimaginable events, UH continued its long tradition of hosting a conference celebrating UH nurses, their research, and their innovations. In August 2021, with the support of senior leadership, the planning committee of the Research and Innovation Council focused the theme of the conference on reframing a healthy work environment to shed some light on our collective responsibility for that environment. With over 300 registrants, multiple perspectives on reframing the work environment by enhancing well-being were offered from national experts and showcasing the success and perspective of some of our shining star nurses within the UH system.
The keynote speaker, Dr. Rosanne Raso, discussed the past, present, and future synergies of health work environments and well-being, focusing on the role of leadership. Michelle Ossman, a socio-spatial nurse scientist, discussed how innovations within the built environment contribute to healthy work environments and the impact on well-being. Nurses across the UH system were involved in addressing healthy work environments. Dr. Patricia Beam and her team discussed the UH Nurses Covid Study and the role of personal growth, support, and caring for each other amid anxiety and stress. Kae Fink from UH Connor Whole Health shared her insights on creating a healthy me and healthy team model. She also moderated a panel of 3 nurses (Darlene Sands, Christopher Kornuc, and Catherine Pamer) who shared their stories of how they sustained themselves during this pandemic and tools they used in maintaining a ‘healthy me.’ The conference concluded with Sarah Knowles, Clinical Nurse Specialist and UH well-being Ambassador, discussing an exemplar of innovation entitled Nursing Innovation through Remote Monitoring: A 360-Degree view from the bedside.
In this time of integration of science and compassion, patients trust us to deliver the best care possible. That best care is informed by nursing science and innovation. As we anticipate having COVID-19 in the rear-view mirror, the culture of discovery at UH will continue to grow, strengthen, and thrive through research and innovation. We are eager to continue this work to leverage the knowledge, skill, and spirit across UH to advance nursing practice and our national presence, showcasing our contribution to nursing science and practice.
Mary K. Anthony, PhD, RN
Director of Nursing Research and Innovation