Keio Research Institute at SFC

* This laboratory has been completed.

Objective

New diagnoses and treatments are developed on a daily basis at the frontline of healthcare, with diagnoses, treatment, and nursing becoming increasingly sophisticated and complex. On the other hand, the efficiency of healthcare is being advocated with calls for shorter hospitalization periods, a shift to outpatient treatment, a push for patients and their families to continue treatment as outpatients, and the promotion of self-care. Patients and families make much effort to fully understand high-level medical content and to make consensual decisions regarding a diagnosis and treatment, and to receive that treatment, within what is an ever-changing treatment frontline and environment. There is also much focus being put on maintaining a balance between work life and treatment. It is extremely important that, within what is complex and sophisticated medical care, that best practices are provided so that “security and safety” is guaranteed, “consent and satisfaction is obtained regarding medical treatment”, “the values of all involved parties are upheld”, and “people can lead a full lifestyle”.
In order to ensure best practices, this laboratory aims for (1) practical research and development promoting best practice quality, (2) the nurturing of nursing leaders who can spread and utilize specific and appropriate best practices into the workplace, and (3) the exploration of ethical best practices that respect the values of all parties involved. Three research groups will be established for the purpose of achieving these goals: “Research and development on best practice quality”, “Career development for best practice lead nurses”, and “Building systems for ethical best practices”. Along with nursing experts promoting best practices within the clinical environment, these research groups will facilitate joint research with external research institutions and visiting researchers from other medical facilities that agree to the objectives of this laboratory. One point, which should not be overlooked, is that the patient perspective is the absolute basis for any work done by this laboratory. To this end, public forums, meetings with patient groups and exchanges with the local community are conducted on a regular basis so as to present, evaluate and exchange opinions on research results.

Content of each project

Project A: Research and development on best practice quality
The outcomes of best practices within the clinical environment are guaranteed patient security and safety, patient and family consent and satisfaction toward medical treatment, and improved quality of life for the patient. Evidence relating to the most appropriate patient care that facilitates such patient outcomes will be collated and standardized. Based on a logic model and quality evaluation theory, improvements to care quality will be designed and verification of the resulting standardized care performed.

Project B: Career development for best practice lead nurses
Whether or not best practices are spread and utilized within the clinical environment is dependent on nursing leaders who take on the role of “medical treatment innovator”. In order to promote the most appropriate patient care and patient outcomes, this project will establish medical relationships and collaborative relationships between the patient (the individual, family, and groups) and other professionals, operate care quality assurance systems within each team and unit, and develop and verify programs to nurture nursing leaders who will initiate improvements in patient care.

Project C: Building systems for ethical best practices
Develop and verify a decision-making support program that enables a patient to select the best treatment and care for themselves based on personal consideration and consent. Also, build and verify a clinical ethical consultation system that can respond to ethical issues that may arise within complex patient conditions, the treatment process, and the fragile curing environment. At the same time, explore how to create a caring environment where organized and ethical best practices can be implemented.

Outline of research plan

Project A: Research and development on best practice quality
Collect and standardize evidence relating to the most appropriate patient care that facilities desired patient outcomes.

Project B: Career development for best practice leader nurses
Detail specifications for leader nurses who can spread and utilize best practices within the clinical environment, and the ability and role required for leader clinical nurses so as to establish a career development program for such nurses.

Project C: Building systems for ethical best practices
Consider ethical issues that arise within complex patient conditions, the treatment process, and the fragile curing environment by conducting case studies.

Kickoff Symposium

Researchers, managers and professors