Searching for health care solutions

Fort Worth, TX

12/13/2007

The nation’s health care system — as we know it — is in a state of crisis. Delivery is fragmented, communication is often lacking, and limited resources can’t meet increasing needs. The most viable solutions may come from nursing.

“I truly believe that nurses as the care professionals most closely linked to the point of care hold the answers to many health care issues,” said Susan Mace Weeks, MS, RN, an instructor in TCU’s Harris College of Nursing & Health Sciences. “We need to create an atmosphere where practicing nurses have the ability to seek out and/or create the answers to everyday care dilemmas.”

In June 2006, Harris College of Nursing & Health Sciences established the Center for Evidence Based Practice and Research. Initially funded by a TCU Vision in Action grant, the program is now supported by Harris College of Nursing & Health Sciences.

“The CEBPR is committed to helping address the numerous challenges in our health care system,” Weeks said.

In addition to EBPR consultation with several area hospitals, the center is working on a variety of projects for schools and community agencies. This April, the center hosted internationally recognized evidence-based practice and research expert Dr. Alyce Schultz, who spoke on campus and at five Dallas-Fort Worth area hospitals — presenting to more than 500 nurses.

In June, the CEBPR expanded its reach by establishing the TCU Evidence-Based Practice & Research Collaborative, bringing together nurse leaders engaged in evidence-based practice from area hospitals.

“That collaborative has now grown to include more than 25 hospitals and three area universities,” Weeks said. The collaborative is also planning an education and mentoring program to help direct-care nurses implement EBPR in their practice settings.

The national health care system needs fresh answers to continuing problems.

“The work of the center to create and share nursing best practices across health care settings is a significant step forward in improving the system,” said Paulette Burns, dean of Harris College of Nursing & Health Sciences. “Nursing is the backbone of the health care industry with over 2.2 million registered nurses in the national workforce. Innovations such as the center will have a major impact on patient care. That is good news for all as we search for new ways to transform the current system.”