Title

HOW I LEARNED MY ABCS: ACTION, BACK TO BASICS, COLLABORATION, DISCOVERY

Authors

Authors

M. L. Sole

Comments

Authors: contact us about adding a copy of your work at STARS@ucf.edu

Abbreviated Journal Title

Am. J. Crit. Care

Keywords

VENTILATOR-ASSOCIATED PNEUMONIA; VENOUS OXYGEN-SATURATION; AIRWAY; MANAGEMENT-PRACTICES; CRITICALLY ILL ADULTS; HEART-RATE; MECHANICAL; VENTILATION; SUCTIONING TECHNIQUES; INTUBATED PATIENTS; CUFF PRESSURES; SECRETIONS; Critical Care Medicine; Nursing

Abstract

Background Research is essential to generate the scientific evidence for critical care nursing practice, but it is challenging to conduct research in the busy critical care environment. The challenges are even greater in a setting with limited resources for research and where nurses have not typically conducted independent clinical studies. Objectives To detail a successful research trajectory for studying the ABCs of patient care in the critically ill: airway, breathing, and circulation. Methods After initial studies on circulation were conducted, the research was narrowed to focus on airway management. Airway management may be a key factor in preventing ventilator-associated pneumonia because aspiration of colonized oral, gastric, and tracheal secretions is the primary cause of ventilator-associated pneumonia. Multiple descriptive, pilot, and interventional studies have been conducted; findings from each have contributed to future studies. Results Other ABCs were critical to this research success: action, back to basics, collaboration, and discovery. It is important for researchers to be self-motivated and to take initiative to develop skills and resources for conducting clinical studies. Several guiding principles help to promote success in research: (1) generate research ideas grounded in observation and clinical practice, (2) collaborate with others, and (3) establish affiliations and partnerships. Discovery occurs in many ways: new findings to guide practice and research, resources to conduct the study, and self-discovery. Conclusions Nursing research is not easy. However, determination and resources help nursing researchers achieve success. (American Journal of Critical Care. 2010; 19:326-334)

Journal Title

American Journal of Critical Care

Volume

19

Issue/Number

4

Publication Date

1-1-2010

Document Type

Article

Language

English

First Page

326

Last Page

334

WOS Identifier

WOS:000279397100004

ISSN

1062-3264

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