Advancing cardiovascular care through nursing research, quality improvement, and evidence-based practice

In the changing landscape of health care, it is imperative that health care providers remain abreast of current literature, research, and innovations that support positive health outcomes for patients, families, and communities. Over time, nurses have become more engaged in health care research. This research has been conducted through many methods, more recently, using rapid cycle methods such as evidence-based practice and quality improvement projects. Cardiovascular disease continues to be the number one cause of death in the United States, confounding the need for research to reduce poor health outcomes such as unplanned readmissions, morbidity, and mortality. In China, healthcare priorities are now shifting from infectious disease to cardiovascular disease. Nurses are uniquely qualified to engage and lead scientific inquiry targeted to improve outcomes among patients living with cardiovascular disease.