GOALS & FUNCTIONS

  • To promote and establish a network of innovative researchers at Team Health and provide an efficient infrastructure for the purpose of:
    • Analyzing registry data in order to improve patient care (best outcomes that are cost-efficient)
    • Encouraging and supporting investigator-initiated studies by all members of Team Health
    • Providing approved and compliant research methodology and statistical consultation to Team Health clinicians
  • To create and adhere to the full cycle of research process at Team Health.

 

Specific tasks:

  • Providing Literature search
  • Preparing research protocols (anything on the right half of the circle above)
    • Observational studies/chart reviews/registries
    • Interventional studies/RCTs
  • IRB – identifying if/when IRB oversight is required and communicating with local/central IRBs; IRB submissions and maintaining compliance
    • Establish set of rules and guidelines for human research based on NIH standards
  • FDA submissions and correspondence
  • When applicable, address new and confirmed data with CMS
    • Submission of new data to support proposals for new reimbursement schedules for within-label indications (e.g. intravenous iron)
  • Trial registration
  • Research contracts and legal aspects
  • Research budget
  • Data collection and processing
    • Date sink – Central vs. local?
    • Data safety and monitoring (DSMB) services
    • Data verification
  • Statistical analysis
  • Dissemination of results
    • The issue of “negative/unexpected” results. What to do when the results are negative/unexpected? Oversight of what is getting to public domain (Two levels: Team Health “inside” public protected within PSO, vs. “outside” public)
  • Preparing and submitting abstracts – different national and international meetings
    • Presentations:
      • Slides
      • Posters
      • How to address Team Health in presentations? Banner: “Team Health – Name of the hospital”
    • Preparing and submitting manuscripts
    • Other documents:
      • Reports
      • Marketing materials
    • Abstract banner: “Team Health – Name of Hospital”
  • To identify, apply and secure external research funding opportunities
    • Funding sources:
      • Industry
      • Non-profit foundations
      • Professional societies
      • Governmental agencies (e.g. NIH – RO grants)
      • International agencies
    • Grant application and submission
    • Management of funding and related reporting
  • To interact with external CROs, pharmaceuticals and device companies on running sponsored trials:
    • Preparation and maintenance of a directory of all centers contracted by Team Health and resources for running external trials.
    • Soliciting new sponsored trials
    • Contract and budget negotiation
    • Training of local staff
    • IRB interactions
  • Promote integration of research into clinical and corporate operations of the company
    • Establish working close partnerships with various corporate departments at Team Health to provide support with data collection, verification, analysis and reporting
      • Quality management
      • Patient safety
      • Marketing
      • Billing/financial
      • Others?
  • Marketing & PR for Research Institute to make its presence visible to Team Health members (homepage website, etc)
    • THRI corner at the main Team Health website (internal/external)
    • Internal – http://thi.teamhealth.com/thari or http://thi.teamhealth.com/research
      • Clinicians (MDs, CRNAs, nurses, etc)
      • TH e-blast/newsletter
      • THI
    • THRI newsletter – content
    • THRI website –
      • Fishing survey to identify members interested in research- “Are you interested in research?”
    • External: http://research.teamhealth.com vs. http://www.teamhealth.com/research
      • Nurse 411 – its own sub-domain
  • To capitalize on the extensive existing data collection activities being currently collected as part of Team Health clinical operations by defining and conducting research studies, assisting in improving the data collection process, and providing feed back through analysis and interpretation of the data.
    • Outcome research
    • Available resources (to be verified/completed):
      • Optimetrix
      • SCOAP
      • Autologous Transfusion
      • Bloodless data
      • Others:
    • Assessment, updating and improvement of data collection tools
    • Issue of IRB oversight for research on QI data
  • Quality management & improvement
    • Designing studies for improving quality of care/outcomes
    • Defining and validating new quality measures (including defining acceptable ranges/criteria)
    • Interacting with other related entities (JC, NQF, etc)
  • To establish partnerships with external entities to conduct collaborative research projects to increase awareness of Team Health among other organizations
    • Other hospitals
    • Academia
    • Professional societies
    • Industry
    • Governmental agencies (e.g. DARPA)
    • International agencies