Sigma/ANCC Award

Sigma/ANCC Evidence-Based Practice Implementation Grant

The Sigma/American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) Evidence-Based Practice Implementation Grant encourages nurses in clinical settings to apply evidence to practice and evaluate the effects on patient outcomes.

Grants Available: one annually
Funding: US $20,000
Deadline: July 1, 2025
Award notification: Late August 2025
Funding date: November 1, 2025
Grant Details: Click here to learn more and to apply.

2024 Sigma/ANCC Grant Awardee

Nisha Mathews, PhD, MSN, RN

RESEARCH PROJECT: Community Insight to Clinical Care: A Nursing-Led, Evidence-Based Patient Education Program for ME/CFS

BIO: Nisha Mathews, PhD, RN, is an assistant professor of nursing at the University of Houston- Clear Lake, Texas, and the Research Chair of the National Association of Indian Nurses of America. Dr. Mathews is a SIGMA Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing (S.T.T.I.) Academic Leadership Academy Scholar (2021-2022). Her research areas are minority health, health disparities, cultural competence, the South Asian population, and nursing education.

Dr. Mathews is joined by an interprofessional team, including:

• Jessica Ask, MSN, RN, Ambulatory Nurse Manager, Mayo Clinic
• Stephanie Grach, MS, MD, Assistant Professor of Medicine, Mayo Clinic-Rochester
• Jaime Seltzer, MS, Scientific Director, MEAction

ABSTRACT: Background of the Clinical Issue: Myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) is an infection-associated neurological illness characterized by post-exertional malaise (PEM): increased symptoms after exertion, with loss of functional capacity. Approximately half of the 65 million people with Long COVID worldwide meet the diagnostic criteria for ME/CFS, making this a crucial area for healthcare education research. Pacing is the recommended activity management strategy for people with PEM, but patient education is often insufficient. Medical providers may not teach pacing or may fail to provide comprehensive guidance for this fundamental behavioral shift. Additionally, those with lived experience best understand the complexities of pacing.

Study Purposes: Using narrative data from patients who use pacing, we will create patient-centered, comprehensive education materials for newly-diagnosed patients. These materials will be developed and delivered by Mayo Clinic’s nursing staff. Our team includes nursing staff, nurse scientists, subject-matter experts with lived experience, and clinicians.

Methods to Include the Intervention and Implementation: We conducted an IRB-approved survey on activity management with 500+ responders with ME/CFS. Data will be processed by our narrative analysts. The insights gained will inform the creation of educational materials on pacing tailored to patients' needs. Materials will be implemented in Mayo Clinic’s Integrative Medicine & Health section's patient education programs. Nurses will deliver the intervention through interactive group and one-on-one sessions. The program's effectiveness will be assessed using original post-intervention patient satisfaction surveys, the Short Form Health Survey-36 (SF-36), and the FUNCAP questionnaire.

Expected Evidence Contribution and Significance: This project will demonstrate the impact of integrating patient narratives into clinical practice, improving patient engagement and outcomes. Leveraging nursing's holistic approach and patients’ lived experience, the study will enhance quality of life in this underserved population. In addition, successful implementation can model patient-centered, evidence-based education in chronic disease management for other institutions.

 

2023 Sigma/ANCC Grant Awardee

Annette Brant Isozaki, MSN, RN

RESEARCH PROJECT: On the BRINK: PhotoBiomodulation (PBM) for Mucositis in Patients Undergoing Allogeneic Hematopoietic Stem Cell TRansplant (HSCT) – Implementing the Evidence & Discovering New Knowledge

BIO: Annette Isozaki is a registered nurse and charge nurse on the Bone Marrow Transplant, Chimeric Antigen Receptor T-Cell Therapy, and Investigational Therapy unit at the City of Hope National Medical Center in Duarte, California. She has several publications covering topics such as mucositis management, pain management, and spiritual care of patients with cancer. Annette recently graduated with her Master of Science in Nursing degree as a Family Nurse Practitioner. She hopes to continue her career at the City of Hope National Medical Center as a Nurse Practitioner, caring for the holistic needs of patients and families impacted by cancer.

ABSTRACT: Background of the Clinical Issue: Oral mucositis (OM) is a debilitating and potentially fatal condition in roughly 80% of patients undergoing hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HCT). OM can lead to infection, pain, need for nutritional support, decreased quality-of-life, and prolonged hospitalization. Research shows palifermin and photobiomodulation (PBM) as Level I interventions effective in reducing OM severity in this population; lack of data exists on the efficacy of treating OM and its impact on pain, taste, and xerostomia. A national shortage of palifermin has OM nationwide.

Study Purposes: The purpose of this study is to implement PBM into practice and compare patient outcomes to historical controls with no PBM. Secondary objectives aim to reduce pain, xerostomia, and taste changes and examine the costs of using PBM.

Methods to Include the Intervention and Implementation: This project will implement PBM into the clinical setting using the Iowa Model. Individuals over age 18 undergoing HCT at City of Hope will be enrolled. Patients will be administered PBM starting on day -1 and will continue to receive daily PBM until Day +21 or discharge. If the patient develops OM, an additional dose of PBM will be administered to treat OM. Nurses will assess the oral cavity each shift and document findings in the electronic health record. Data will be analyzed using descriptive statistics and independent sample t-tests will be used to measure changes between the PBM group and those not treated with PBM.

Expected Evidence Contribution and Significance: This study has potential to serve as a model program nation-wide to implement PBM organizationally, while contributing to new knowledge about the treatment of OM and the impact of PBM on pain, taste, xerostomia, and costs compared to not using PBM. This study also allows implementation science and research capacity building among nurses, a primary goal of Sigma.