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The Center for Clinical Inquiry®

The Center for Clinical Inquiry® at Summa Health supports staff in using an evidence-based methodology to answer clinical questions, develop process improvements and make informed patient-care decisions.

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.

center for clinical inquiry

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 

  1. Cultivate a spirit of inquiry within an EBP culture and environment.
  2. Ask the clinical question in EBP format.
  3. Systematically search for and collection the most relevant best evidence.
  4. Critically appraise the evidence (i.e. rapid critical appraisal, evaluation, synthesis and recommendation).
  5. Integrate the best evidence with one’s clinical expertise and patient/family-valued preferences in making a practice decision or change.
  6. Evaluate outcomes of a practice decision or change based on evidence.
  7. 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.

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
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