Collecting Nursing Research Data 24 Hours a Day: Challenges, Lessons, and Recommendations

Area of Science:

• Nursing Research
• Clinical Trials
• Healthcare Operations

Background:

• Many nursing interventions necessitate continuous, 24/7 data collection.
• Literature lacks established best practices for coordinating 24/7 studies.
• There is a need for strategies to manage round-the-clock nursing research.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify and share strategies for implementing nursing intervention trials on a 24/7 basis.
• To document key lessons learned during the coordination of a 24/7 clinical trial.
• To provide insights into managing the complexities of continuous patient care research.

Main Methods:

• Sharing implementation strategies for a clinical trial involving a nursing intervention.
• Focusing on patients requiring mechanical ventilation.
• Discussing challenges encountered and potential improvements for future research.

Main Results:

• Thorough planning, including a detailed operations manual, is vital for study execution.
• Effective staffing is the most critical yet challenging aspect, impacting study success.
• Clear communication channels among personnel, collaborators, and direct care staff are essential.
• Implementing an electronic data recording system is a key requirement.

Conclusions:

• Conducting nursing clinical trials requiring 24/7 interventions is feasible.
• Success hinges on comprehensive planning, adequate staffing, and ongoing quality improvement.
• The study provides a framework for managing complex, continuous nursing research.