A new EU-funded research network led by RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences will work to advance patient safety in intensive care units (ICUs) across Europe.

The initiative has been awarded funding through the prestigious COST (European Cooperation in Science and Technology) programme, which supports interdisciplinary research collaboration.

The network, titled Patient SAFety Related Outcome Measures in European ICUs (SAFE ICU) will bring together experts from different countries and sectors to develop a standardised approach to measuring three key nurse-sensitive outcomes in the ICU – pressure ulcers, healthcare-associated infections (HCAIs), and delirium. While all are preventable, they continue to affect critically ill patients due to inconsistencies in how they are tracked and understood across healthcare systems.

Dr Natalie McEvoy, a StAR Research Lecturer in Critical Care Nursing at the RCSI Department of Anaesthesia and Critical Care, serves as Main Proposer of the COST Action and will coordinate the network’s activities.

Reducing harm in critical care

Over the next four years the network, comprising researchers, clinicians and public and patient representatives, will collaborate to develop robust, culturally adaptable tools to measure these outcomes. By promoting standardisation across countries, the initiative aims to enable clearer comparisons, better communication of results and ultimately, more effective prevention strategies.

“The overarching aim of SAFE ICU is to bring together a team of experts across 21 different countries initially to work towards the reduction of patient safety-related nurse-sensitive outcomes,” said Dr McEvoy. “This network will not only support research into reducing avoidable harm in ICU settings, but will also ensure that no country is left behind in the sharing of best practices.”

An ambitious initiative

The project also places a strong emphasis on Public and Patient Involvement (PPI). By sharing PPI expertise among participating countries, the network aims to ensure that patient voices are embedded in research processes and care improvement strategies.

Professor Fergal O’Brien, Deputy Vice Chancellor for Research and Innovation at RCSI, welcomed the announcement: “This COST Action is an ambitious initiative that reflects our strong commitment to driving improvements in healthcare through collaboration, innovation, and inclusion, particularly of patient and public partners. We are delighted to support Dr McEvoy as she leads this network to enhance ICU safety and patient care across Europe.”

The Action is one of 70 newly announced networks selected in the latest COST grant cycle. Find more information on the COST Action grant programme here.