Chronically Critically Ill (CCI) Research

Principal Investigators:

• Barbara Daly, PhD, RN, FAAN

• Sara Douglas, PhD, CRNP

• Patricia Higgins, PhD, RN

The Frances Payne Bolton School of Nursing at Case Western Reserve University has been investigating the phenomenon of chronic critical illness (CCI) since 1988. The multidisciplinary CCI team is committed to studying the complexities of this patient population's illness, with the ultimate goal of improving the patients' health and/or their quality of life.

• There has been a long-standing relationship between Case and University Hospitals Case Medical Center of Cleveland. University Hospitals has been one of the study sites in all of the CCI studies at the Case Frances Payne Bolton School of Nursing.

• Since the research began, we estimate that we have enrolled over 2000 subjects in our studies.

• Although much progress has been made, new areas of research continue to be identified.

• The CCI, characterized by lengthy ICU stays and high rates of mortality and morbidity, remain a most vulnerable population and warrant continued efforts to improve their care and outcomes.