Opening plenary

Clancy

In this session, the director of the world’s leading funder of research on patient safety told congress attendees that “nurses are critical to ensuring that quality, affordable care is something everyone should receive.” Carolyn M. Clancy, MD, is director of the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ), part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Her presentation was titled “From bedside to boardroom: Achieving high-quality care in a transformational environment.”

The mission of AHRQ is to improve the quality, safety, efficiency and effectiveness of health care. According to the agency, approximately 1.5 million medical mistakes that occur annually involve medications, and the average doctor visit lasts less than 20 minutes. The reality? Disparities in health care quality and access are pervasive in the United States. The nation spends more than other countries on health care, but Americans aren’t better off.

Progress is being made, but more work needs to be done. A core focus of AHRQ is getting information in the hands of clinicians at the bedside to enable them to deliver more relevant care. Making clinical decisions is more than asking, “Is this treatment right?” It’s knowing that this treatment is right and that the right person is receiving it. It’s a decision based on research, known as Comparative Effectiveness Research (CER).

CER materials created and disseminated by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality include

• Research reviews: comprehensive reports that draw on scientific studies to compare treatments
• Summary guides: short, plain-language information, tailored to various audiences—clinicians, consumers and policymakers—that summarizes research reviews
• New research reports: fast-turnaround documents that draw on health care databases, electronic patient registries and other resources to explore practical questions

AHRQ’s work derives from the idea that we can take advantage of data generated as a byproduct of providing care, said Clancy. It’s an opportunity for learning and for building a better knowledge base, the fundamental idea that started AHRQ.

Noting that nurses are critical participants in that work, she said, “I salute your efforts as researchers.”

Special session: Research abstracts, proposals and grant writing: Basics from start to finish
To the new researcher, crafting an abstract or writing a grant proposal can be a daunting task. Lois S. Marshall, RN, PhD, introduced researchers to effective abstract and grant writing and offered attendees of this session the chance to interact with past recipients of the small research grants from the Honor Society of Nursing, Sigma Theta Tau International (STTI). Participants also discussed strategies for developing a research grant proposal or abstract.

Improving maternal and infant health in the Mississippi Delta
Mississippi has traditionally led the United States in overall infant mortality. Studies by Juanita Graham, MSN, RN, and LaDonna Kaye Northington, DNS, CCRN, BC, found that African-American women in the Delta area often have inadequate access to prenatal care and inaccurate information about Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). In their presentation, Graham and Northington suggested that health care providers reach out to women who need prenatal care and provide services where they live. They also said that, when teaching minority women about SIDS, health care workers should use a positive approach—saving a baby’s life—rather than focusing on the possibility an infant could die.

Inductee Lindsay Vieux with honor society President Karen Morin, left, and CEO Patricia Thompson.

International induction
President Karen Morin presided over an international induction ceremony on opening day of the 21st International Nursing Research Congress. Director Hester Klopper and CEO Patricia Thompson also participated in the ceremony. Twenty-eight nurses were welcomed as members of the Honor Society of Nursing, Sigma Theta Tau International (STTI).

“We are here to celebrate you and your achievements,” Morin said. “This evening we are privileged to induct you into the world’s only nursing honor society as the most dynamic nursing leaders and scholars.”

Genieveve Cline, USA	Hsin-Yi Chang, Taiwan
Gianina Gaitana, Canada	Kathy Holloway, New Zealand

Morin challenged the new members to ask three questions:

• What do I want to do to transform nursing?
• What do I want the profession to be in the year 2020?
• What can Sigma Theta Tau International do to get me there?

"The foundation of your honor society membership is a combination of honor, community, service and knowledge," Morin told the inductees. "Your pursuit of nursing excellence has earned you this honor and the opportunity to build your career and your membership experience throughout your lifetime."

Following the induction ceremony, the inductees attended a welcome reception. RNL

Taste of Orlando—Tuesday, 13 July
Taste of Orlando—Wednesday, 14 July
Taste of Orlando—Thursday, 15 July
Taste of Orlando—Friday, 16 July