Research Nursing
The GCRC provides experienced research nurses to assist with protocol implementation. Once an investigator's protocol is approved by the IRB and GAC, a meeting is arranged with the GCRC Clinical Research Nurse Liaisons. Details of the protocol are discussed and the nurse liaisons help the investigator to coordinate all departments that are needed to implement the protocol, including investigational pharmacy, CCHMC lab, Radiology, etc. Detailed study-specific physician orders and data collection flowsheets are developed for the protocol. These orders describe in precise detail the steps to properly implement the study. The orders are reviewed and finalized by the investigator.
The GCRC clinical nurse liaisons educate and train the GCRC clinical staff for each new protocol. The nursing staff is trained for complex, detailed research observations and precise collection and storage of specimens. The nurse liaisons maintain contact with the investigator throughout the study to ensure positive outcomes and continue to monitor the research study until its completion.
For research patients who cannot be hospitalized in the GCRC, support is available for the use of "scatter" beds for research purposes in other units throughout the hospital (i.e. the Regional Center for Newborn Intensive Care, Pediatric Intensive Care Unit, and the psychiatric unit.) The same research services as mentioned above are also available for the scatter beds.
The GCRC also cares for non-research patients. This includes caring for and managing children diagnosed with New-Onset Diabetes and those with established diabetes who have come to the hospital. The GCRC also performs diagnostic testing and acute care of patients with a variety of disorders.
The inpatient research center is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The outpatient research center is open normal business hours, Monday-Friday.
