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Nursing leadership paramount to clinical research success As nursing continues to embrace a professionwide move into clinical and basic science research, the Darby Children’s Research Institute (DCRI) stands ready as a platform to showcase the work of MUSC nurses and nursing faculty as it relates to the study of childhood disease and illness.   Though no nurses are currently conducting basic science research within the DCRI at this time,  nurses on MUSC’s campus are pursuing children’s issues and integrating DCRI research themes.   “Nursing is the heart and soul of a Children’s Hospital and the families’ experience with care depends heavily on interactions with their nurse; because the DCRI is focused on developing and refining treatments for children, the involvement of nursing during our first Children’s Research Day in February, and nursing leadership in ongoing clinical research projects is paramount to our success,” said Bernard Maria, M.D., DCRI executive director.   Nurses will continue to play a bigger role in the goals of bringing the bench to the bedside, and the bedside to the community.   The DCRI’s goal is to facilitate and increase that collaboration and involvement. Among the many nurses conducting significant research is Robin Bissinger, neonatal nurse practitioner, College of Nursing, who coordinated a study by a group of neonatal nurse practitioners looking at secondary surfactant deficiency. “It’s a new concept for which there is no standard in the country,” she said. “Our research involves neonatologists, neonatal nurse practitioners, an epidemiologist and statistician, and it outlines how multidisciplinary teams can work together to research questions and find answers.”   A randomized control study is the next step; Bissinger foresees the research performed in close collaboration with John Baatz’s, Ph.D., a nationally prominent surfactant biologist with a program within the DCRI. Also conducting research with potential for national impact is Jean Ann Rhodes, R.N., Ph.D., who, as manager of the Children’s Hospital Lactation Consultation Service, recognized a need for investigation into the shelf life of thawed human donor milk.   Mentored by Carol Wagner, M.D., co-director of the pediatric nutritional sciences program in the DCRI, and guided by Lisa Steed, Ph.D., director of the Microbiology Lab, Rhodes conducted a pilot study and then followed it with a larger study. Though the results have not yet been published, Rhodes anticipates that the national standards for the shelf life of thawed and refrigerated human donor milk will be expanded.    Pam Smith, R.N., Pediatric Emergency Services and Nurse Alliance Chair elect, is developing research that addresses issues in the pediatric emergency arena. Debbie Browning, R.N., Pediatric Emergency Services and Pediatric Intensive Care Unit nurse manager presented her study concerning a multidisciplinary approach to optimizing care in the Children’s Emergency Department at the National Association of Children’s Hospitals and Related Institutions conference. Patient satisfaction increased, and length of stay in the emergency room decreased.   In addition, “selected individuals in the Children’s Hospital were identified to participate in the 4th National Incidence Study on Child Abuse/Neglect, as mandated by Congress in 2003. The latest data we have on child abuse/neglect in this country is from 1993. Charleston County is one of 122 counties in the nation participating in this national study. The study also involves teachers, police, Department of Social Services, and others who work with children. We are hoping that our participation will ultimately increase funding for child abuse/neglect recognition, prevention, and treatment,” Browning said. “It’s very important that our nurses participate in research in order to increase our knowledge base in nursing. The art and science of nursing continue to evolve as our ability to treat patients increases.”     “Children’s research is vital,” Bissenger said. “There are so many health care issues and, through our multidisciplinary efforts, nurses can impact the care and the outcomes for this very vulnerable population.” Friday, April 7, 2006 Catalyst Online is published weekly, updated as needed and improved from time to time by the MUSC Office of Public Relations for the faculty, employees and students of the Medical University of South Carolina. Catalyst Online editor, Kim Draughn, can be reached at 792-4107 or by email, catalyst@musc.edu. Editorial copy can be submitted to Catalyst Online and to The Catalyst in print by fax, 792-6723, or by email to catalyst@musc.edu. To place an ad in The Catalyst hardcopy, call Island papers at 849-1778, ext. 201.