Most of us have been in the hospital at one time or another and come to the realization that nurses do a lot more for patients than doctors. They monitor care, take vitals, treat wounds, administer medication and provide emotional support, among other duties.
What most of us may not know is that they are just as busy behind the scenes, carrying out research to improve patient care. They are studying processes, procedures and practices, and addressing changes that need to be made.
"The public probably doesn't think much beyond the nurse at the bedside," said Elaine Battuello, a critical care nurse at Salem Hospital. "But nursing is a profession, and it's got a scientific basis. It's required that you check out what you do and make sure that what you're doing has the outcome you're aiming for."
Research comes naturally for Battuello, 58, who has loved science since she was a little girl. Although school counselors and family members discouraged her from wanting to become a nurse — she earned a degree in psychology — the calling eventually led her back to the profession.
Supervisors and colleagues describe Battuello as the consummate nurse who sets a shining example for others to follow.
"Elaine doesn't just do something because it's a ritual or a behavior that she's always done in the past," said Carolyn Larrivee, director of critical care at Salem Hospital. "She really explores to see whether or not it's best practice and there's research out there showing it's the correct way to go.
"She's actually spread that way of thinking to other staff members."
Battuello recently received a 2008 Nursing Excellence Award from NurseWeek. She was the Northwest regional winner in the category of "Advancing and Leading the Profession," and is in the running for national recognition.
The magazine cited Battuello for being an advocate of evidence-based research — a hot topic in nursing — and new technologies in the ICU.
"I think Elaine has actually been there ahead of the game," Larrivee said. "She started doing this on her own before it became a real national trend."
A few years ago, for example, Battuello collaborated with Kathy Sollecito Nickell, speech pathologist at the hospital, to implement a swallow-screen program in the ICU, similar to the one used for stroke patients. Patients who are taken off a ventilator now are screened by nurses at the bedside to make sure it's safe for them to swallow before they are given fluids, food or medications by mouth.
Battuello combined research with ICU observations to develop the procedure, which involves a glass of water, a cracker and an observant nurse who is trained to look for signs of dysphagia, or difficulty swallowing.
"She has been such a great advocator," Sollecito Nickell said. "I see her as a nurse with vision and commitment and dedication. I see her as somebody who communicates well with the other disciplines, as well as with physicians and other nurses to advocate for patient need."
Battuello has been a nurse since 1981, including the past 20 years at Salem Hospital. She is involved with many other projects, including blood conservation in the ICU, the design team for the new tower being constructed, and the transition for the new electronic communications system.
"We have a lot of opportunities for nurses to do projects and be rewarded for it," said Battuello, who is married and has three grown children and three grandchildren. "It gives everyone a lot of pride in what we do and validates to us that we are doing excellent things at our hospital."
Two other nurses at Salem Hospital, Lauris Currier and Kelly Owen, were finalists for the regional NurseWeek awards. Currier was nominated in the management category, for her work as assistant nurse manager in the ICU. Owen was nominated in the community service category, for her work as an injury prevention specialist and community educator.
Recognition like this contributes to the hospital's pursuit of Magnet status, which is awarded by the American Nurses Credentialing Center for excellence in nursing services.
The Magnet Recognition Program highlights quality patient care, nursing excellence and innovations in nursing practice. Three Oregon hospitals have achieved Magnet status (Providence Medical Center, Providence St. Vincent Medical Center and Veterans Affairs Medical Center), according to the credentialing center's Web site.
"Salem Hospital has really been on a journey to excellence, and I think we're really beginning to see the results we've been aiming for in some of our staff and their accomplishments," Larrivee said. "Elaine is just an example of the great direction we're heading in. She's really inspired others by the actions she's taken."source
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