Intermountain Healthcare Hosts Annual Research Summit

Over 220 researchers and research enthusiasts recently met for the annual event. The event was hosted by Raj Srivastava, MD, MPH, Intermountain Assistant Vice President of Research, and included presenters Marc Harrison, MD, President and CEO of Intermountain, and top researchers from the organization. Presenters provided insight into a broad spectrum of research studies that showcased Intermountain's passion for asking questions and finding answers to the many complexities in healthcare delivery.

Dr. Srivastava shared his plans to better align Intermountain resources and investigators across the care delivery system, in order to better serve patients and community. The goal of research at Intermountain is to conduct research that has a rapid impact on improving patient care, focused on achieving the best medical result at the lowest necessary cost. This includes a five-year plan to create a Research Center, aligning researchers and resources with Intermountain's overall strategic direction.

"Research at Intermountain will focus as one program on the five fundamentals of extraordinary care - safety, quality, patient experience, access, and stewardship," said Dr. Srivastava.

Dr. Harrison reaffirmed the healthcare organization's support and his tripartite focus to healthcare. That focus involves three areas: clinical care, education, and research. The three areas will help build healthier communities.

Various researchers spoke about several research studies that were either done, or still in motion, involving Intermountain. In 2016, Intermountain published 402 studies with another 1,589 in active stages.

In addition, the summit assists researchers with helpful advice and instruction.

Researchers and subjects presented included:

• Scott C. Woller, MD - Venous Thromboembolism Reduction Initiative: Joint Efforts to Prevent Hospital-Associated VTE
• Terence D. Rhodes, MD - Cancer Immunotherapy Program
• Brian K. Whisenant, MD - Early Feasibility Trials for Transcatheter Valve Therapies at Intermountain Medical Center
• Sarah D. Majercik, MD, MBA - Venous Thromboembolism Screening in the Trauma Population, A Randomized Vanguard Trial
• Patrick D. Carroll, MD - Umbilical Cord Blood, no Longer Waste
• Eddie A. Stenehjem, MD, MSc - Antibiotic Stewardship in Community Hospitals
• M. Sean Esplin MD - Providing Higher Quality Care and the Role of Research
• Andrew J Knighton, PhD, CPA - Social determinants, Health and Healthcare Outcomes

To find out more about Intermountain Healthcare Research and the advancement of medical knowledge in many clinical areas visit intermountainresearch.org.