A Collaborative Effort in Biospecimen Collection & Processing to Reduce Time Burden on Inpatient HSCT Nurses & Improve Partnership between Research and Clinical Teams

Introduction In response to the overwhelming burden of clinical care carried by inpatient hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT) nurses, we developed an approach to research biospecimen collection that effectively removes the bedside nurse from the process. Objectives Reduce the burden of research related biospecimen collection on the bedside nurse and improve the dynamic between research and clinical teams. Methods We implemented a method of research biospecimen collection with the Precision Diagnostic in Inflammatory Bowel Disease, Cellular Therapy and Transplantation (PREDICT) protocol with an objective of limiting research related tasks required of bedside HSCT nurses. Previously, to support the process of protocol specified biospecimen collection, the research team provided collection kits and communicated directly with the bedside nurse around timing of sample collection and post-collection transport to the research sites. The research team organized a standing meeting with the inpatient nurses, providing a forum to voice concerns and critiques around research related activities. It became clear that collection of non-blood samples created significant additional work. The research team has implemented a system that leverages expertise of clinical research nurses (CRNs) in educating caregivers on sample collection of surface swabs and stools. Clinical research coordinators communicate directly with CRNs for biospecimen transport, effectively removing the bedside RN from this process. Results The new collaborative workflow yielded an improved dynamic between the research and clinical team. The clinical team reported that reducing collection activities and eliminating multiple communications needed to support sample acquisition were achieved. Conclusion After receiving feedback that the level of communication between clinical and research teams was difficult to maintain, we reassessed our methods and diversified biospecimen processes. By leveraging expertise from both clinical and research teams, we better delineated team responsibilities. Our results exemplify that developing new workflows can effectively decrease the strain of research related tasks on the bedside nurse's workload and increase compliance with sample collection. This effort highlighted the research team's eagerness to work with the clinical team, thus improving morale and fostering a collaborative approach to research. Continuous reassessment will allow a maximization of resources and an ever-strengthening alliance between research and clinical teams.