NURSES
FROM THEORY TO PRACTICE
Chilton ’ s New Nursing Research Initiative will turn caregivers ’ instincts into evidence-based best-practices
AsanurseonChilton ’ s Cardiac Care Unit , Meghan Keaveney pays closeattention to her patients ’ weight . “ Any fluctuation could be asign of fluidretention ,” she says , “ which could necessitate important and immediate medication changes .”
But that ’ s not always the case , she explains , and how each patients ’ weight is measuredcould make all the difference . “ Chilton ’ sNursing Research Councilruns aJournal Review Club , teaching nurses to interpret thefindings of patient care studies and share them with colleagues around the hospital ,” explains Keaveney , who recently became chair of the council . “ That ’ s why we modifiedour practicesafterreadingnewly published evidencethat patientsare weighed most accurately when they ’ re in an uprightstanding position versus beingseated or in bed .”
According to Janelle Peters , interimnurse manager of Chilton ’ s Emergency Department and immediate pastchairofthe Nursing Research Council , experiences likeKeaveney ’ s — where nurses incorporatenew evidence-based knowledge into their practice — are just one componentofthe culture of research at Chilton , which is slated for an exciting expansionin2022 .
“ Not onlydowewant ournurses to have theabilitytointerpret data generated by others ; we also want to support them in conductingtheir own studies and making contributions to the practice of nursing ,” she says .
MaureenSchneider , PhD , MBA , RN , FACHE , President , is confidentthat other nursesaroundthe country will benefit from knowledge created at Chilton . “ In 2020 , wewere recognized as
“ Not only do we want our nurses to have the ability to interpret data generated by others ; we also want to support them in conducting their own studies and making contributions to the practice of nursing .”
– Janelle Peters , Interim Nurse Manager , Chilton ’ s Emergency Department
aMagnet-certified hospital by the American NursesCredentialing Center , whichisthe tophonor for nursing excellence nationwide ,” saysSchneider , who began her career as anurseand served as Chilton ’ sChiefNursing / Operations Officer before becoming President . “ Withsuch aprominent place on the nationalhealth care stage , Iexpect that Chilton willgenerate research projects thatwillinform the practiceofnurses around the country .”
According to Schneider , thegoalof the Nursing ResearchInitiative ( NRI ) is “ to expand on acommitment to research that has long been part of Chilton ’ s culture .”
One prior study — which lookedat the calming effectsofanimal-assisted therapy on older adult inpatients — was published in ascholarly journal read by nursingexpertsfromcoastto coast , whoare nowable use Chilton ’ s findings when caring fortheir own patients . Additionally , this study was presented at the Atlantic Health System Research Symposium , where the primarynurse-researcher , Carnette Smith , received tophonors for the study .
While research projects aretaking shape , the ChiltonMedical Center Foundationisworking to ensure that they can launch as soon as possible with proper funding .
“ Knowing that the NRI willhave apositive impact on patient careat Chiltonand beyond , the Foundation is proud to make it atop priority in 2022 ,” says Michael Bressman , Foundation Director . “ SinceChilton is anonprofit hospital , charitable gifts at all levels area source of strength . We are very excited about the role philanthropy will playin bringing this vision to life .”
For more information about Chilton ’ s Nursing Research Initiative and how you can support it , please contact the Chilton Medical Center Foundation at ( 973 ) 831-5165 oremail Michael . bressman @ atlantichealth . org .
SPRING 2022 CHILTON MAGAZINE