American Academy of Nursing Selects Six Innovative Models as Edge Runners

Nurse-Designed Models to be Recognized at the 2024 Health Policy Conference

September 23, 2024 (Washington, DC) — The American Academy of Nursing (Academy) has selected six innovative models of care to be named Academy Edge Runners. Edge Runners are evidence-based, nurse-designed models that demonstrate significant clinical, financial, community, and policy outcomes with proven sustainability and replicability. Each of these programs highlights nurses’ ingenuity and collaboration in developing new methods to provide care and promote health equity.

“The Academy is proud to designate these solution-oriented initiatives as Edge Runners. The diverse focus of these models highlights the variety of services, vital support, and innovative team-based approaches that the nursing profession provides,” said Academy President Linda D. Scott, PhD, RN, NEA-BC, FADLN, FNAP, FAAN. “Each Edge Runner model demonstrates how nurses are pioneers in addressing important health care challenges.”

CommonSpirit Health Virtually Integrated Care (VIC) Professional Practice Model — Julie Tuel, MSN, RN, CCRN-CMC, SCRN, System Vice President Virtual Care Nursing Practice Transformation, CommonSpirit Health

The CommonSpirit Health Virtually Integrated Care (VIC) Professional Practice Model brings assistance to the bedside care team using “all in one” computer technology that can be accessed by the touch of a screen from the patient’s room. VIC allows for simple and quick access to virtual nursing and language services. In this model, the virtual nurse is a fully integrated member of the health care team, working directly with the clinical nurse at the bedside, providers, pharmacy, ancillary services, and care managers to deliver patient and family-centered care that ensures all safety measures and standards are implemented and elevated.

Hospital Acquired Pneumonia Prevention by Engaging Nurses (HAPPEN) — Shannon Munro, PhD, APRN, BC, NP, Nurse Researcher/ Implementation Scientist and Nurse Practitioner, Department of Veterans Affairs

Non-ventilator associated hospital acquired pneumonia (NV-HAP) is one of the most common hospital-acquired conditions. HAPPEN, a Veteran Health Administration (VA) team-based model, engages nurses to provide consistent oral care to reduce the risk of NV-HAP to improve the health and quality of life of Veterans. Aligned with the VA’s mission of providing the highest quality of care possible, HAPPEN has consistently delivered care targets to reduce the risk of NV-HAP thus shortening hospital stays, reducing costs, and saving lives.

Integrated Nurse-led Model of Sustainability and Innovation (INMSI) / Nurse Practitioner-Led Clinic Sustainability & Innovation (NPCSI) — Julie Cowan Novak, DNSc, RN, MA, CPNP, FAANP, FAAN, University of San Diego Hahn School of Nursing Adjunct Professor; Director, Neighborhood House Head Start Pre-K Health & Wellness Van

INMSI is a comprehensive nurse-led model focused on serving a diverse range of patient populations with an emphasis on building trusting relationships and health equity. A long-standing initiative, the INMSI model evolved from 12 modules (2004) to 6-modules as NP-led Clinic Sustainability & Innovation (2017). The integrated model has supported the development of 14 robust nurse-led clinics in three states. The six modules include: establishing clinics through community partnerships; promoting cultural humility and proficiency; developing a business and reimbursement plan for value-based healthcare delivery; clinic leadership and management using customized IT/EHR for data analytics; building a mosaic of support using social justice as a moral imperative, identifying local community, state, federal, foundation priorities; and securing CMS contracts, FQHC status, and private insurance, while mastering the art of successful grant funding.

Jefferson Center for Maternal Addiction Treatment, Education & Research (MATER) — Marie Ann Marino, EdD, RN, FAAN, Dean and Professor, Thomas Jefferson University, College of Nursing

The Jefferson Center for Maternal Addiction Treatment, Education, & Research (MATER) is a transdisciplinary clinical, academic, and research unit that focuses on comprehensive and holistic substance use disorder treatment for pregnant and parenting women and people (PPWP) in Philadelphia, PA. MATER provides care to approximately 250 PPWP and their families each year, trains multiple nursing and medical students, residents, and fellows annually, and maintains an impactful and continuously funded research team.

Linking to Improve Nursing Care and Knowledge (LINK) Academic-Practice Partnership — Allison A. Norful, PhD, RN, ANP-BC, FAAN, Assistant Professor, Columbia University School of Nursing; Nurse Scientist, New York-Presbyterian Hospital

The LINK Academic-Practice Partnership program addresses significant barriers that hinder nurses’ engagement in evidence-based practice and research so that the profession may optimize practice and policy, advance nursing knowledge, and improve clinical outcomes. LINK has developed programming to support a robust inquiry and scholarship culture, enhance nurse engagement in evidence-based practice and research, and promote nursing leadership. It has also established academic-practice partnerships to ensure that clinical nurses have access to educational resources and expert guidance.

THRIVE: Equity-focused Transitional Care — J. Margo Brooks Carthon, PhD, RN, FAAN, Tyson Family Endowed Term Chair for Gerontological Nursing, Professor of Nursing, University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing

The THRIVE model is an interdisciplinary, 30-day intervention that includes intensive wrap around services, home care, virtual case management and extended engagement of hospital-based providers following hospitalization. It aims to support Medicaid-insured adults through personalized care, addressing both health and social needs, and ensuring a smooth transition from hospital to home. Nurses are integrated throughout the THRIVE clinical pathway at every stage from nurse case manager referrals during hospitalization, to nurse-led home care, and weekly case management throughout the 30-day intervention.

All of the Academy’s Edge Runner profiles are available to view here. Each of these innovative models of care will be honored at the 2024 Health Policy Conference, taking place October 31-November 2, 2024 in Washington, DC.