|
 Since its original mandate in 1948 to “bring the sufferer, the human patient, into direct contact with the researchers,” the NIH Clinical Center has met the challenge of building, maintaining and advancing research programs that are of value to both researchers and patients. The Clinical Center’s commitment to improving healthcare outcomes and quality informs the creation and delivery of these programs.
Despite the events of September 11, 2001, positive organizational changes have occurred at the Clinical Center throughout Fiscal Year 2002. Inpatient days for 2002 are down by approximately 7 percent with outpatient visits rising slightly. However, patient acuity and service intensity have increased. Clinical departments have met the demand for new and increasing levels of specialized services for institute research support and patient care.
Providing the safest, highest-quality environment for clinical research remains a priority. Towards that end, this past year saw a high degree of interaction with the media to emphasize the significance of clinical research in improving the nation’s health. Other accomplishments were the establishment of a web-based occurrence reporting system, collaboration with the NIH intramural program to develop an adverse-event reporting system for gene therapy, and creation of a new emergency preparedness disaster plan.
In 2002 clinical services were expanded throughout many departments. Activities included development of an assisted protocol writing tool, expanded clinical research training, activation planning for the new Mark O. Hatfield Clinical Research Center, and timelier hiring of clinical research support staff. Many patient care services were expanded to encourage patient participation as research subjects. Patient service highlights included valet parking, IDs, child care services, and groundbreaking for a family lodge.
In response to customer needs the Clinical Center has enhanced its organizational performance, achieving the highest degree of cost-effectiveness and efficiency by increasing avenues for patient input and maintaining a vacancy rate for nurses below local and national levels. The Clinical Research Information System (CRIS) initiative has continued to reach milestones in 2002. Vendors have been selected for building the core system of CRIS and for ensuring all segments of the project are effectively done.
Clinical Center programs have been very productive this year. Outputs include expanded support for cell processing, imaging sciences and clinical research infrastructure; a master plan for activation of the new Hatfield Clinical Research Center; new models of governance for the new research center’s patient care units; web-based strategies to attract under-represented minority patient populations; a reverse auction to achieve savings in the supply budget; and in an organization-wide drill to train employees in a revised hospital disaster plan.
The work of the clinicians and investigators clearly benefits from all of these efforts. It is because of them that the NIH Clinical Center has remained on the leading edge of biomedical research since the first patient was admitted fifty years ago in July 1953. The ultimate beneficiaries, however, are undoubtedly the patients and families who receive the fine compassionate care and cutting-edge technology that is the expected signature of the NIH.
 |
|
John I. Gallin, M.D.
Director, Warren Grant Magnuson Clinical Center, NIH
NIH Associate Director for Clinical Research
|
|
