The Critical Care Research Center (MCIRCC) publishes publications in Knowledge Exchange, which is an electronic platform for sharing knowledge. Publications from the Critical Care Research Center are freely available for the general public. If you’re interested in learning more about the center and its work, please visit its website. You can learn about other critical care programs and hospitals in our network. In this article, we’ll explore the MCIRCC and PRIMER.
MCIRCC
The Michigan Center for Integrative Research in Critical Care is a thriving interdisciplinary center of excellence with over 20 ongoing projects. Most projects originated in another area of critical care, but many of the teams have been leveraging the knowledge gained through ongoing research. These teams are developing new technologies, improving patient care, and understanding the biology of COVID-19. The MCIRCC is located near the University of Michigan Medical School, where the Office of Tech Transfer supports the Center’s efforts.
In order to advance patient care, MCIRCC researchers are using machine learning, big data infrastructure, and data sets to develop predictive tools that can be used to improve clinical care and reduce hospital costs. Using this data, the team has created a pipeline of critical care predictive tools, including a system for identifying patients who are at greatest risk of death or transfer to the ICU. MCIRCC researchers are developing this tool to help clinicians make faster decisions on treatment.
PRIMER
The PRIMER Center for Integrative Research in the ICU is a multidisciplinary clinical research and education program that advances evidence-based medicine for critically ill patients. Led by Drs. Sheetal Gandotra and Derek Russell, the program draws upon cutting-edge bench-to-bedside translational research and expertise in the field of critical care medicine. PRIMER researchers aim to develop novel approaches to multiple etiologies of critical illness and improve patient outcomes.
The Institute has three distinct areas of research. The Large Animal ICU Facility (LAICU) simulates human disease and treatments, while the Data Science Team develops a powerful analytics platform to capture physiological waveform data from critical care patient beds for research and clinical needs. The MCIRCC identifies key problems in critical care and rewards researchers who are willing to take on these challenges. The center also supports research teams by pairing them with key stakeholders to facilitate collaborative research across departments.
UCLA Critical Care Center
The UCLA Critical Care Center for Integrative Research in Clinical Practice brings together the talents of a multidisciplinary team of experts in the field of critical care. The Center will conduct research in areas of medical education and research as well as clinical care to improve patient care and safety. In addition, the Center will promote interdisciplinary excellence in critical care medicine. The new center will foster an interdisciplinary environment with minimal disruption to departmental, school, and clinical relationships.
The CCI curriculum begins with three weeks of daily didactics in core critical care topics. This is followed by a weekly multidisciplinary lecture series that provides a thorough foundation of critical care knowledge. In addition, fellows are given the opportunity to present critical care topics and journal articles during the monthly afternoon conferences. In-situ simulation programs will also enhance critical care residency training. This education will prepare future critical care leaders.
Norton Children’s Hospital
The Center for Integrative Research in Critical Care at Norton Children’s Hospital provides pediatric medical research. Its physicians and nurses are devoted to providing the best possible care to critically ill or injured children. The hospital’s renowned pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) is staffed by specially trained pediatric critical care nurses. The PICU team is dedicated to a single patient, which means they are focused on a child’s specific needs.
The CICU is the largest dedicated pediatric intensive care unit (CICU) in the Commonwealth of Kentucky. Its staff consists of cardiologists, nurses, and other medical professionals focused on heart care. Research shows that caring for children in a CICU improves their outcome. Aside from providing the best care for children, the Center also offers research that proves the effectiveness of this specialized unit.