The Institute for Healthcare Improvement1 is among many healthcare organizations calling for global revolutionary changes in how healthcare is delivered in the United States. Yet the health of our nation needs changing as much as how we deliver healthcare. Both internal and external forces are acting on hospitals and, in turn, critical care units will change significantly.
Since the start of Nursing2008 Critical Care in 2006, I've had the honor to speak to you as Editor-in-Chief about some of the changes in healthcare. In the process, I've learned much about the national issues that face us as critical care nurses.
Thank you for your professional support and feedback. As I transition to a different phase in my life and career with doctoral education, I'm de-ligh ted to hand over the stewardship of this journal to AnneMarie Palatnik, who'll adeptly guide it and you through future healthcare change.
AnneMarie has been a nurse for more than 20 years and is passionate about translating research into practice. One of her first nursing research projects was the early extubation/early ambulation protocols. This resulted in a much quicker progression through the cardiothoracic surgery recovery area and ultimately resulted in decreased length of stay and decreased patient complications.
In this issue, we introduce a new regular department called Research Rounds. Its goal is to help you save time in keeping up with the changes that occur in the research literature that assist us in our quest to achieve evidence-based nursing practice. The department will review and critique recent journal research articles while reinforcing the basics of nursing research.
Change is inevitable. Our challenge is to be able to keep up with the breakneck speed in which change occurs in healthcare. We need to be as open and flexible to change as we possibly can. Remember, our response to change directly reflects the care that we provide to our patients.
While we'll introduce time-saving strategies within the journal to better assist you with your work/life balance, we'll continue to vigorously examine those national issues that impact our daily lives as critical care nurses. The ultimate goal: to influence nursing practice through education. This without a doubt will result in positive patient and family outcomes.
Kate J. Morse
Editor-in-Chief, Assistant Clinical Professor, Acute Care, Nurse Practitioner Tract Coordinator, Drexel University, Philadelphia, Pa.
AnneMarie Palatnik
Coordinator of Continuing Education, Clinical Education & Research, Virtua Health, Marlton, N.J., [email protected]
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