MSN, RN
The goal in nursing research is to advance the development of clinical nursing interventions, which can lead to better health outcomes and contribute to exceptional delivery of care.
That’s why I was excited to be tasked as the primary investigator for a New Jersey State Emergency Nurses Association (ENA) study that investigated the causes of boating and recreational vehicle injuries.
Regarding the study itself, one nurse, who is designated the primary research investigator or team leader, recruits a multidisciplinary team of nurses, techs, and secretaries to assist in the project. In this case, it was my assignment to speak to the hospital research nurse and clue her into what our study was all about. She assisted with the PICO process (a mnemonic device that stands for Patient population, Investigate condition/intervention, Comparison to other practices, and Outcomes). For the study, we incorporated participants who were 18 years old or older, as they could sign for their own consents.
It is then the team’s responsibility to alert the team leader concerning any patient that presents to the Emergency Room (ER) with complaints of being in a recreational vehicle accident. The team’s primary responsibility is always to provide immediate nursing care. The team communicates the importance and the impact of the research study on participants, explaining its importance and how the end results may be used to prevent future accidents.
The team leader is responsible for training the selected staff and implementing the study protocol. The team leader also obtains proper consent for patients to participate after ensuring the intended participant understands the importance of the study. Full disclosure and transparency of all aspects of the study must be made clear to potential participants.
The team leader also conducts participant follow-up phone calls to check on their condition after their ER visit. Team leaders can administer any trial medications the physician may order after notifying the attending that the patient signed up for the research study. He or she must report any adverse events that might occur during the study period, making sure the patient’s safety is paramount.
When patients arrived in our ER and stated they were in a boating accident, my team and I asked if they would be willing to be in our study, obtained signatures from the participants on a written informed consent document as requested by the Institutional Review Board (IRB). The main purpose of an IRB is to assure that appropriate steps are taken to protect the rights of humans who agree to participate in a research study. All team members were instructed on the reasoning and how to proceed with the study.
After proper signatures were obtained, the study questions began. Of course, treatment was never held on a patient, and we waited for the patient to have their therapy before making any inquiries about their injuries.
In our case in the ER, the study questions were designed by the ENA, as the organization spearheaded the study. As team leader or primary research nurse, it was my task to coordinate all the consents, as well as the participant studies, and ensure all questions were answered to the best of the participant’s recollection.
Answers were tallied and results sent to the ENA Research Committee. As team leader, ENA sent me to Washington, D.C., to learn how to run a research study project.
It was a wonderful learning experience that left me with an eagerness to continue looking for research projects in nursing.
These vehicular crashes can result in property damage, serious injuries, and even fatalities. It is important to follow the rules of the waterways when operating a leisurely boating vehicle. Sadly, after finishing our study, we noted there were many causes for these injuries and we’re highlighting a few of them here.
Operator inexperience was a leading cause of boating accidents in New Jersey. The ability to navigate waterways requires established operators, and inexperienced boat operators may be deficient in handling sudden changes in weather conditions, unexpected waves, or proximity to other sea crafts. Inadequate knowledge of the navigational rules of the water can lead to collisions, grounding of the vessel, or capsizing.
Excessive speed on the waterways was a secondary factor in injuries. Higher speeds can reduce reaction time and impede the inability to maneuver effectively. Observing and adhering to the speed limit can decrease injuries, especially if weather or wave conditions change rapidly.
It is understood that boats and other recreational vehicles should not be operated while under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Intoxicated drivers may misjudge distances, have slower reaction times, have difficulty with vision and make unfortunate decisions, which can all increase the possibility of an accident.
Weather conditions can also play a major part in accidents. Weather is unpredictable, and sudden storms or squalls can erupt at any time. Operators should always check the forecast, monitor, prepare for shelter, and adjust their route as mandated by the weather.
Negligent operation of a boat or recreational vehicle is a major contributor to accidents and injuries. This includes reckless behavior, distracted driving, not paying attention to surroundings and proper channel buoy placements, drinking on board the boating vehicle, and not possessing a boating license or insurance to operate the vehicle in case of accidents. Drivers should be apprised of emergency procedures, navigational rules, and safety regulations. They should have all the proper equipment onboard to practice proper boarding etiquette. They should have the ability to communicate with the Coast Guard if trouble arises, as well as proper radar devices. If these are things you do not have, then you are “dead in the water” if you are in an accident, especially with injuries.
Many participants we asked to be in our study were forthcoming about the crash that caused their injuries. These were the most repeatable reasons for their injuries. Happily, we encountered no fatalities from our study participants. Most of them had not taken a boating safety course, which is paramount before operating any boating or recreational vehicle. Undergoing a boating safety class and obtaining the necessary licenses and certifications can enhance a boater’s ability to operate his vehicle safely and have an enjoyable outing for all involved.
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