The Center for Clinical Inquiry
The Summa Health Center for Clinical Inquiry assists clinicians and staff in using an evidence-based methodology to solve problems, find answers to clinical questions, and guide the implementation, sustainment, and dissemination of best practices and processes.
Our experienced team is dedicated to providing the infrastructure to build a sustainable evidence-based decision-making organization to become highly reliable and achieve the quadruple aim.
Vision
The Summa Health Center for Clinical Inquiry’s vision is to promote and support clinical inquiry to elevate professional practice embodied within Summa Commitments.
Mission
The mission of the Summa Health Center for Clinical Inquiry is to provide the infrastructure to support staff in using an evidence-based methodology to solve problems. We do so by:
- Developing an engaged and productive repository for clinical inquiry
- Facilitating translation of research
- Promoting evidence-based practices within Summa Health
- Consulting on the commitment to high-quality, reliable compassionate care
Evidence-Based Practice
Evidence-based practice (EBP) is a problem-solving approach for healthcare that integrates best practices from evidence found in scientific literature and combines it with clinician expertise and patient preferences to make patient care decisions. The goals of evidence-based decision-making (EBDM) are to reduce variations in practice, enhance the quality of care, improve patient outcomes and reduce costs1.
Seven Steps of the EBP Process
- Cultivate a spirit of inquiry within an EBP culture and environment.
- Ask the clinical question in EBP format.
- Systematically search for and collection the most relevant best evidence.
- Critically appraise the evidence (i.e. rapid critical appraisal, evaluation, synthesis and recommendation).
- Integrate the best evidence with one’s clinical expertise and patient/family-valued preferences in making a practice decision or change.
- Evaluate outcomes of a practice decision or change based on evidence.
- Disseminate the outcomes of the EBP decision or change.
1 Melnyk, B. M., & Fineout-Overholt, E. (2023). Evidence-based practice in nursing & healthcare: A guide to best practice (5th ed.). Wolters Kluwer.
Listen Now
Learn how we are improving patient care by applying these evidence-based practices.
Watch "What is Evidence-Based Practice" Video
Meet Our Team
The Center for Clinical Inquiry team consists of experienced leaders who offer expert guidance and support in aligning current practice with the best available scientific evidence. Team members also mentor staff in EBP, process improvement and research methodology.
Administrative Leaders
Penelope F. Gorsuch, DNP, RN, EBP-C, NEA-BC, FACHE
Bonnie R. Jenson, MSN, RN
Karrie Boss, DNP, RN, APRN, ACCNS-AG, EBP-C, CCRN
Sandy Germano, BSN, RN, NE-BC
Amy Lukanski, DNP, RN, CPHQ
Clinical Leaders
Lianne Heil MSN, APRN, ACCNS-AG, PCCN
Allison Plata MSN, APRN, AGCNS-BC, CMSRN, EBP-CH
Dawn Troup MSN, APRN, ACCNS-AG, CCRN
Rebecca Varkett MSN, APRN, AGCNS-BC, CMSRN
Megan Hignight MSN, APRN, ACCNS-AG, EBP-C
Karen Federspiel, DNP, MS, APRN, AGCNS-BC, GCNS-BC, PMHN-BC
Clinical Nurse Specialist Intern
Morgan Watson BSN, RN, CCRN
RN Educators — Hospitals
Allison Angell MSN, RN, CEN
Hollee Fleming, BSN, RN
Cassandra Garaux, MSCAM, BSN, RN
Molly George MSN, RN, CCRN, NPD-BC
Michelle Greenleaf, BSN, RN, CCRN, SCRN
Kathy Hale BSN, RN
Heidi Mueller BSN, RN
Zachary Nethers, DNP, MBA, MSN, RN, CEN
Cora Rexrode, BSN, RN, CNOR
EBP Specialists
Cam Mergos DNP, RN, CPN, EBP-C
Karen Steiner, DNP, RN, NE-BC, NPD-BC
Sue Bell, DNP, RN
Location
The Summa Health Center for Clinical Inquiry is located on the third floor of the Summa Health Corporate Office.
Summa Health Center for Clinical Inquiry
Summa Health Corporate Office
1077 Gorge Blvd
Akron, OH 44310
View on map.