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Celebrating clinical research nurses on International Nurses Day
The renal research nursing team at NUH is rising to the challenge of COVID-19 by embracing new ways of working to help support life-saving dialysis for patients, in addition to ensuring that renal patients are benefitting from high priority clinical research.
In addition to their usual research portfolio, the team has been working to support COVID-19 research across NUH, including ensuring patients are able to take part in two of the largest COVID-19 trials taking place in our hospitals - ISARIC (which is tracking how patients respond to the virus) and RECOVERY (which is testing new treatments for COVID-19).
Sarah Brand, renal research nursing team leader, said in terms of the COVID-19 studies, the patients’ familiarity with the research nurses was a helpful factor: “We are hoping it will aid timely recruitment too, as the renal research team know our patients well and usually have very good recruitment rates into research,” she said.
“We know what kinds of questions our patients may ask and have the answers ready and waiting.
“We also work closely with our consultant colleagues and so can have timely and open conversations about whether patients should be approached for specific research studies.”
The research nurses work as part of the Renal Unit at Nottingham City Hospital every day, so they are "well placed to identify new patients and approach them about research as soon as is appropriate”, said Sarah.
“We feel that using embedded research teams to recruit to COVID-19 research studies is the best and most efficient way to recruit, when there are research teams available in clinical areas who can do this.”
In terms of measures to protect both patients; and clinical and research staff, all dialysis patients are continuing to receive their scheduled dialysis, although their routines have changed. All patients are being asked to have their temperatures checked before dialysis to ensure any early signs of COVID-19 infection are picked up.
Sarah explained: “We’re also encouraging social distancing in the waiting rooms. Patients who are known to be COVID-19 positive are being offered alternative dialysis slots at specific times so that we can ensure that they are isolated and prevent any cross infection to any other patients.
“Our nurses are also wearing masks and eye protection, to prevent cross infection. This is taking some getting used to by everyone, but is necessary. The patients on research studies are still getting their allocated study treatment, so research is continuing in the dialysis unit despite the pandemic.”
The renal research team have also been working flexibly to assist clinical colleagues, with research nurse Sally Haslam having been redeployed to the Dialysis Unit.
Sarah added: “We are regularly attending the Dialysis Unit to help at busy times and also assist on the wards when required. When it comes to the Renal Unit, we really are all in it together – that includes day-to-day clinical practice and research combined!”
One of the psoitives of the COVID-19 pandemic is that it has provided an opportunity to give recognition to the importance of clinical research - and the role of the research nurses - at NUH. “We are working closely with teams across the hospital and within our clinical division to ensure that research activity remains a high priority,” said Sarah.