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We aspire to inspire

The Baylor Scott & White Health Nursing Research program facilitates the pursuit and practice of clinical excellence by nurturing a culture of inquiry, providing guidance in the dissemination of peer-reviewed articles, mentoring nurses through the research process and advancing the incorporation of evidence-based practice findings into current standards of care to promote safe passage.

Nursing scholars

Through scholarly nursing research supporting the delivery of optimal care to those we serve, and by creating a healthy work environment through a spirit of inquiry and integration of new evidence into practice, we are changing nursing for the better. Our Nurse Scholar Program is an 18-month program designed to develop RN skills, including:

  • Identifying opportunities for nursing research
  • Conducting literature reviews
  • Developing research questions
  • Developing elements of a research protocol
  • Participating in data collection
  • Disseminating research findings
  • Translating findings into practice where applicable

Our faculty

We are here to serve, and we treat everyone with compassion and care. Meet the leaders who are changing nursing for the better.

Alaina Tellson, PhD, RN, NPD-BC, NE-BC
System Director, Nursing Research
Ramona Baucham, MSN, RN
Nurse Scientist, Baylor Scott & White All Saints
Penny Huddleston, PhD, RN, NEA-BC, CCRN
Nurse Scientist, Baylor Scott & White Medical Center Irving
Karen Stanzo, MSN, RN, IBCLC, NEA-BC
Nurse Scientist, Baylor Scott & White DFW East Region
 

Philanthropy

Baylor Scott & White Health is committed to advancing education opportunities, leadership development and evidence-based practice amongst our nurses—efforts that lead to higher standards of patient care and better patient outcomes. Philanthropy plays a valuable role in supporting and expanding programs that advance these efforts (e.g., graduate nurse residencies, nursing research, Advancing Nursing Excellence Scholars, Foundations of Nursing Leadership).

We solve complex healthcare problems

How many times have you thought, "This isn't working," or "I know a much better way we could do this?" As Magnet® defines it, innovation is "something nurses do to improve patient outcomes, efficiency and cost effectiveness." At Baylor Scott & White Health, we are constantly innovating to change nursing for the better.

  • Fall prevention example

    During a two-week analysis conducted on ICU and Medical/Surgical units at Baylor Scott & White Medical Center – Round Rock, nearly 50% of patients reported not getting out of bed (OOB) more than two times each day. The goal is to have patients out of bed three times per day to increase mobilization and decrease fall risk.

    A multidisciplinary team that included clinical nurses and nurse leaders identified barriers to greater patient mobility. Based on their analysis, the team prioritized equipment, adding gait belts to the supply room PAR and new walkers for nearly every inpatient room. Bedside commodes were stored in patient rooms for easy access, and 65 new recliners were ordered for Med/Surg. The mentality around mobilization also was changed to emphasize the importance of safe mobility in fall prevention. A learning module was assigned to all Critical Care and Acute Care staff, and a skills fair was held for staff on fall prevention-related activities. Mobility also was discussed hospital-wide during meetings/huddles. Six months later, over 80% of patients stated they got out of bed at least three times per day. After an initial spike in falls, follow-up education was provided, and the fall rate has steadily decreased.

  • Avoiding a PICC example

    While sometimes necessary, peripherally inserted central catheter (PICC) lines have potential risks, including blood clots, pulmonary embolism and central line associated bloodstream infection. Baylor Scott & White Heart and Vascular Hospital – Dallas noted that sometimes PICC lines were being used because peripheral IVs were difficult to obtain under normal visualization. Despite difficulties associated with obtaining IV access using traditional visual practices in some patients (due to comorbidities), the nursing team recognized an alternative to PICC line placement was necessary. The Ultrasound-Guided IV (USG-IV) Program was implemented to insert peripheral IVs for all patients deemed too difficult to obtain an IV under normal visualization (more than two attempts). By using ultrasound to insert peripheral IVs, the goal was to reduce PICC line usage, saving time for nursing staff and providers and improving the patient experience.

    In the first five months after implementing the USG-IV Program, there was a 27% reduction in patients receiving PICC lines. Not only did this improve the patient experience, but it led to an estimated cost avoidance of $20,000 associated with PICC line placement.

Evidence guides our decisions

Our evidence-based practice incorporates the best available scientific evidence with clinician expertise and the patient's preference. This framework is how we make decisions about healthcare.

Nursing research studies

  • Active nursing research studies
    An investigation of the mixed-method relationship between diuretic medication nonadherence and Brain-Natriuretic Peptide (BNP) or NT-proBNP (NBNP) among adults with a 90-day heart failure hospital readmission

    Investigators: Nancy Vish, Henry Viejo, Art Signo, Penny Huddleston

    Locations: BHVH, Waxahachie


    Effects of virtual reality as a non-opioid pain management intervention for patients on bedrest after percutaneous sheath removal at BHVH

    Investigators: Lesley Abraham, Mary-Helen Chaplin, Daryn Holloway, Mary Vitullo, Henry Viejo, Penny Huddleston

    Location: BHVH


    Connect Heart Failure

    Investigator: Meenaz Bachoo

    Location: THH-Plano


    Enhanced communication and health literacy awareness to decrease heart failure readmission rates

    Investigators: Alaina Tellson, Bria Hollingsworth

    Locations: THH-Plano, Plano


    Describing the direct care nurses’ perceptions of workplace bullying

    Investigators: Penny Huddleston, Meleah Puckett

    Location: waxahachie


    Describing the unlicensed assistive personnel’s perceptions of workplace bullying

    Investigator: Penny Huddleston

    Location: waxahachie


    Use of weighted blankets in patients with behavioral disturbances in acute care settings

    Investigators: Norman Gregorio, Keenan Mullins, Penny Huddleston, Doug Hanna, Johna Gilber

    Locations: Waxahachie, Irving


    Team support: Help when you need it!

    Investigators: Penny Huddleston, Amanda Smith

    Locations: Waxahachie, Irving


    Measuring interventions for meaningful recognition and skilled communication using the healthy work environment scale for direct care nurses in acute care settings

    Investigators: Penny Huddleston, Linda Tjiong, Ramona Baucham, Karen Stanzo, Trenton Raff

    Locations: Waxahachie, Irving, Grapevine, Baylor All Saints, McKinney, BUMC


    Measuring interventions for meaningful recognition and skilled communication using the healthy work environment scale for nurse leaders in acute care settings

    Investigators: Penny Huddleston. Linda Tjiong, Ramona Baucham, Karen Stanzo, Trenton Raff

    Locations: Waxahachie, Irving, Grapevine, Baylor All Saints, McKinney, BUMC


    Delaying bath to increase breastfeeding rates in mothers who vaginally delivered newborns

    Investigators: Lucila Coronado, Penny Huddleston

    Location: irving


    Workplace Violence — Bullying UAP intervention

    Investigator: Penny Huddleston

    Location: irving


    Workplace Violence — Bullying RN intervention

    Investigator: Penny Huddleston

    Location: irving


    Effects of virtual reality as a non-opioid pain management intervention for patients

    Investigators: Linda Tjiong, Penny Huddleston

    Locations: Grapevine, Irving


    Development of a tool to measure factors affecting breastfeeding among mothers in the NICU

    Investigator: Leora Patton

    Location: Baylor Scott & White All Saints Medical Center


    Analysis of screening protocol to determine intimate partner violence, anxiety and depression in mothers with infants in the NICU

    Investigator: Karen Stanzo

    Location: mckinney


    The effect of delayed cord clamping on preterms: An observational study

    Investigator: Diana Rich

    Location: BUMC


    Targeted education on stroke trial

    Investigator: Candace McAlpine

    Location: BUMC


    Code Elevate

    Investigator: Erika Fernandez

    Location: Hillcrest


    Effects of diet (clear liquid vs. NPO) on outcomes in L&D

    Investigators: Tracey Jones, Alaina Tellson

    Location: Hillcrest


    Mindfulness in the workplace: Reducing nurses' reported stress levels in the ICU

    Investigators: Jasmine Lord; Anna Bowman

    Location: Templo


    AMIGO

    Investigator: Marlene Porter

    Location: Templo


    Multidisciplinary staff shared governance

    Investigators: Beverly Carrington, Leanne Clark, Toni Haddox

    Location: Round rock


    A case series evaluation of the impact of contact-free, continuous monitoring of respiratory rate and heart rate in the inpatient surgical setting

    Investigators: Carol Rukobo, Nycole Bolin, Alaina Tellson

    Location: Lake Pointe


    COVID, proning and hospital-acquired conditions

    Investigators: Alaina Tellson, Sharon Gunn, Laura Morgan

    Location: System

  • Completed studies, julio 2019 - Present

    To view our completed nursing research studies, julio 2019–present, download our guide:

    Completed studies

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