Air Force nursing: Creating a culture of inquiry Published Feb. 13, 2012 By Lt. Col. Candy Wilson 59th Clinical Research Division LACKLAND AIR FORCE BASE, Texas -- Col. Kimberly Cox, 59th Medical Wing chief nurse executive, hosted the second annual Nursing Research Day Jan. 27, 2012, at Wilford Hall Ambulatory Surgical Center, Lackland Air Force Base, Texas. This year's theme was "Creating a Culture of Inquiry" and the event was officially opened by Maj. Gen. Kimberly Siniscalchi, assistant Air Force Surgeon General, Medical Force Development, and assistant Air Force Surgeon General, Nursing Services. Siniscalchi and 59th MDW Commander Maj. Gen. Byron Hepburn provided comments that were both welcoming and inspiring to 125 nurses and medical service journeymen from the San Antonio area. Their messages were straight forward - provide the best care for Airmen, Soldiers, Sailors, Marines, retirees, and military families using cutting edge science. Expanding their objective, the generals encouraged all health professionals to be involved in future research activities. Attendees were reminded that a culture of inquiry provides the foundation that supports the Air Force Nursing Service charge, "We lead, we partner, we care ... every time, everywhere!" The morning keynote speaker, Air Force retired Lt. Col. (Dr.) Joseph Schmeltz, director of Research Regulatory Programs at the University of Texas Health Sciences Center in San Antonio, challenged all nurses to be involved in inquiry that will result in superior nursing care for all beneficiaries. Next, the synergy was evident as nurse scientists, Army Lt. Col. Laura Feider, chief, Center for Nursing Science and Clinical Inquiry, San Antonio Military Medical Center, Fort Sam Houston, Texas; and Lt. Col. Candy Wilson, 59th MDW director of Nursing Research; described a few of the integrated nursing research opportunities. They shared their first-hand experiences of integrated nursing research in the deployed joint environment and information about the Tri-Service Nursing Research Program special research interest groups. Rounding out the morning, Air Force Maj. Paul Pfennig and Ms. AnnMarie Lazarus, clinical nurse specialists from the SAMMC Surgical Section, presented the overall top scoring project abstract, "The Use of Concurrent Chart Review and Its Impact on Surgical Care." They described how nurses on their unit improved patient safety and institution compliance by applying federal regulations. The real excitement came from the event's poster session. Seventeen posters showcased evidence-based practice and quality improvement projects, as well as research initiatives. Attendees crowded around the posters as presenters explained how frustrations that impeded their ability to provide top notch patient care led them to seek improvements in practice, safety and efficiency. The winning poster, "TAP the Tube," illustrated how two pediatric clinical nurse specialists, Maj. Katheryn Ellis and Capt. Veronica Perry, sought to move from a tradition-based to an evidenced-based practice. While most nurses are familiar with the old way, auscultating the whoosh of air to assure that a gastric tube is in the correct location, Ellis and Perry described their efforts to educate nurses on the current evidence for gastric tube placement methods that ensure patient safety far better than the air auscultation method of the past. An array of topics offered in the afternoon sessions were geared to the participants' interests and included three tracks: tools for the research trade, dissemination of research and interdisciplinary research. Three clinical nurses were invited to present their projects showing how research is used to answer nursing questions. The special addition this year was inclusion of 59th MDW clinical research laboratory and pharmacy interdisciplinary presentations, designed to educate nursing staff about collaborative research opportunities. Attendees earned five hours of continuing education credits. "The implications for nurse-led patient safety initiatives are extremely exciting in an era of patient-centered care, cost containment and the expectation of collaboration," said Lt. Col. Mary Kay Goetter, nurse scientist, 59th Clinical Research Division. "It is essential that all healthcare providers, regardless of rank, service, or professional background, seek commonalities in goals, keeping safety and positive patient outcomes at the center of the mission." The Nursing Research Day exemplified why the institute of medicine has called on nursing professionals to play a greater role in healthcare reform while practicing to the fullest extent of their scope. The day's large turnout was a testament to leadership's support in creating a culture of inquiry across the San Antonio area. USAF. (U.S. Air Force Graphic by Rosario "Charo" Gutierrez) Photo Details / Download Hi-Res USAF. (U.S. Air Force Graphic by Rosario "Charo" Gutierrez)