Sole Wins Award for Excellence in Research

Mary Lou Sole, professor of nursing, received the "Circle of Excellence, Excellence in Research" award from the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN) in recognition of her career and research contributions. The award was presented on May 18 at the AACN National Teaching Institute in Orlando, Fla.

Sole's research has focused on risk factors and airway management strategies related to ventilator-associated pneumonia, a problem that commonly occurs in critically ill patients. In 2000-2001, Sole was one of the first nurses to investigate contamination of suctioning/airway equipment as a ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) risk factor. Sole's recent national study of suctioning techniques and airway management practices (STAMP) collected data from 1,665 nurses and respiratory therapists at 27 different sites. Study findings have improved education and practice of staff and led the way to new research.

"Results of the [STAMP study] emphasize the importance of basic nursing and respiratory therapist practices in preventing VAP, which few individuals have evaluated," according to Sole.

Sole has been a member of the university's nursing faculty since 1991 and served as interim director of the School of Nursing from July 2002 through June 2003.

--Kathryn Podolsky