The Ohio State University College of Nursing is honored to announce that Linda Chlan, PhD, RN, FAAN, has been selected by the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN) as its 2016 Distinguished Research Lecturer.
The award recognizes nurses whose research significantly influences high acuity and critical care. Established in 1982, it is now funded by a grant from Philips Healthcare in Andover, Massachusetts.
With a nursing career spanning more than 25 years, Chlan is widely known for her commitment to improve physical and psychological experiences and outcomes for critically ill patients who are mechanically ventilated. Through her research, she seeks ways to appropriately empower patients to help manage their distress and anxiety related to being mechanically ventilated.
“I am incredibly humbled to be selected for this immense honor,” said Chlan, distinguished professor of symptom management research at the College of Nursing. “I am deeply grateful to all of the critically ill patients who have participated in my research studies over the years.” Chlan also serves as associate director and director of symptom science for the college’s Center of Excellence in Critical and Complex Care.
Chlan’s research focuses on testing innovative, patient-centered symptom management interventions to improve outcomes for patients undergoing mechanical ventilation in intensive care units (ICUs). She is nationally known as one of the first to rigorously test music intervention for critically ill patients being mechanically ventilated. She developed, tested and refined music selection criteria for these patients, particularly as an intervention to reduce anxiety and sedative exposure.
She led a multidisciplinary research team in completing a randomized clinical trial testing patient-directed music listening for anxiety self-management to reduce use of sedatives in patients who are mechanically ventilated. Anxiety decreased by 36 percent, and sedative exposure decreased by 35 percent in patients who self-initiated music listening based on their own needs. These results were published in The Journal of the American Medical Association and received extensive media coverage.
Her work has led to discoveries regarding decreased neuromuscular functioning of patients who are ventilated, revealing the dramatic decline as a result of immobilization beyond general disease debilitation.
“We are so proud of Linda and her innovative work to improve care for patients who are critically ill,” said Bernadette Mazurek Melnyk, PhD, RN, CPNP/PMHNP, FAANP, FNAP, FAAN, Ohio State’s associate vice president for health promotion, university chief wellness officer and dean of the College of Nursing. “Her pioneering research continues to have a lasting and profound impact in the field of acute and critical-care nursing. Linda is so deserving of this esteemed honor.”
Chlan continues to break new ground with patient-centered symptom management interventions. The first to report on the proof of principle that patients who are mechanically ventilated could self-administer their own sedative therapy, Chlan is currently studying the safety and feasibility of patient-controlled sedation. The concept is a radically different approach to traditional, clinician-only sedative delivery.
AACN previously honored Chlan with its Circle of Excellence award in 2012 in recognition of her sustained contributions to acute and critical-care nursing. The American Academy of Nursing (AAN) has honored her as a Fellow and Emerging Edge Runner. Among her numerous other awards, she has been recognized by the Society of Critical Care Medicine and The DAISY Foundation. She is a member of Sigma Theta Tau International and the American Thoracic Society.
As the Distinguished Research Lecturer, Chlan will discuss her career and research journey Monday, May 16, 2016, during AACN’s National Teaching Institute & Critical Care Exposition. The world’s largest educational conference and trade show for acute and critical-care nurses, the National Teaching Institute & Critical Care Exposition through Thursday, May 19, 2016, in New Orleans.
The American Journal of Critical Care will publish an abstract of Chlan’s presentation in its May 2016 issue, followed by a complete manuscript in July 2016.
The Ohio State University College of Nursing
The Ohio State University College of Nursing is the world’s preeminent college known for accomplishing what is considered impossible through its transformational leadership and innovation in nursing and health, evidence-based practice and unsurpassed wellness. As part of the largest health sciences campus in the U.S., the College of Nursing offers seven innovative academic programs. The college’s graduate nursing programs are among the top five percent in the country, according to U.S. News and World Report, while its online graduate program is ranked 6th and its RN to BSN program is ranked 8th as part of Ohio State’s ranking for online bachelor’s degree programs. Annual college enrollment is approximately 1,950 students. The college celebrated its centennial in 2014.
AACN’s Distinguished Research Lectureship
AACN established the Distinguished Research Lectureship in 1982 to honor nationally known nurses who make significant contributions to high acuity and critical-care research. The annual award, now funded by a grant from Philips Healthcare in Andover, Massachusetts, recognizes research that changes or improves patient outcomes and advances nursing education and practice. Recipients present their award-winning research at the National Teaching Institute & Critical Care Exposition and receive a $2,500 honorarium.
American Association of Critical Care Nurses
Founded in 1969 and based in Aliso Viejo, California, the American Association of Critical Care Nurses (AACN) is the largest specialty nursing organization in the world. AACN joins together the interests of more than 500,000 acute and critical-care nurses and has more than 225 chapters worldwide. The organization’s vision is to create a healthcare system driven by the needs of patients and their families in which acute and critical-care nurses make their optimal contribution.
