Background: Hospitals are constantly involved in quality improvement and research projects investing considerable money, time, and effort in supporting these projects; however, there is not always a strong enough focus on publishing the results. The challenge lies in engaging clinicians to publish their work. One of the hallmarks of the clinical nurse specialist is mentoring, and this has led to the creation of our Inspiring Writing in Nursing (IWIN) program. Purpose: The goal of IWIN cohort was to engage and promote publication submissions from frontline clinicians. The 18-member Nursing Research and Evidence-Driven Practice Council (NR-EDPC) supports more than 3000 nurses in quality and research projects. Two senior librarians support our council and staff. In 2014, we launched our first IWIN cohort to mentor nurses in writing and submitting for publication. Evaluation: The NR-EDPC motto “meet them where they are” applies to both location and level of research/EDPC knowledge and skill. An Annual Nursing Research Conference showcases the products of nursing science. The first cohort of IWIN enrolled 11 mentees, and after a yearlong journey, we submitted 5 of 11 manuscripts, 3 withdrew, and 3 are still under revisions. From the 5 submissions, 3 were published, 1 was rejected, and 1 is currently under revision. Discussion: With support and the infrastructure of our NR-EDPC, we are launching our second IWIN cohort.
Sternal wound infection post-cardiac surgery is a serious complication that can lead to increased length of stay, substantial financial impact, and increased mortality. The occurrence of sternal wound infections has been reported from 0.4% to 4% of postoperative cardiac surgeries. It is imperative that every heart surgery program implements the best practice to prevent the detrimental effects of sternal wound infections. In an effort to improve the cardiothoracic (CT) surgery program in a community hospital, a decision was made to create a specialty floor including specialized nurses to care for open-heart surgery patients. In October 2010, a group of these nurses formed a working committee to explore ways to improve the overall care of our CT surgery patients. A vision and purpose for this committee were identified: (1) update and improve practice for CT surgery patients utilizing evidence-based standards, (2) successfully disseminate this information to all staff caring for the CT surgery patients, and (3) evaluate the impact of any practice changes on patient outcomes. An initial focus for the committee was to standardize sternal wound care among all staff members on the cardiovascular floors, cardiac care unit, and progressive care unit.
This article describes the contributions of the clinical nurse specialist in navigating the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic to ensure patient and staff safety while providing science-based quality of care. Description:The group of clinical nurse specialists using advanced practice knowledge and skills within the 3 spheres of impact (ie, patient, organization, and nurse) developed and implemented strategies that supported frontline clinicians and met emerging organizational needs during the COVID-19 pandemic. Outcomes:The clinical nurse specialist's agility was imperative in navigating the challenges of the pandemic to ensure the safety of patients and staff by providing strategies and standardization to workflow processes across the organization. Conclusion:The group's combined clinical expertise and support of frontline nurses positioned the clinical nurse specialist to rapidly escalate the bedside nurse's concerns and provide recommendations to improve workflow while maintaining patient and staff safety.
The SAFE Care model may provide a standardized framework to approach, assess, and address the risks of hospitalized older adults.
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