For Immediate Release
Medline Announces Call for Submissions for Prevention Above All Discoveries Grants
Program encourages healthcare providers to conduct research on innovative ideas
Tuesday, December 02, 2008 —
Knowing that clinicians in the field have some of the best ideas for improving health care, Medline Industries, Inc., announced today that they are accepting applications for research funding through their Prevention Above All Discoveries Grant program. Through the grant program, Medline intends to award up to $1 million in grants for research on innovative ideas and evidence-based practices that will improve patient safety and quality of care.
Healthcare providers interested in submitting letters of intent can apply for one of two funding categories: pilot grants of up to $25,000 for projects that can be completed within six months or empirical study grants of up to $100,000 for projects completed within 12 months. Pilot study grantees, if successful, may qualify for future funding through an empirical study grant.
"University and private sector researchers are always working on new approaches to improve care, but frequently it's the people who work on our hospital and nursing home floors that have innovative ideas and insights into care solutions and applying existing technologies," said grant review board chair Andrew Kramer, M.D., Professor of Medicine and Head of the Health Care Policy and Research Division at the University of Colorado Denver. "In this grant program, we are trying to provide an opportunity for clinicians and administrative staff to identify and test those practical solutions that might not have otherwise been studied."
Recognizing that the grant target groups haven't had much experience in developing research studies, the review board has come up with a creative way to ensure that a rigorous research process is followed. An Expert Review Board (ERB) composed of members who represent a breadth of research and practice knowledge will independently review each request. Applicants whose proposals are selected for funding will then be assigned an ERB member as a mentor to help develop a final proposal that will then receive funding.
"The study design provides us with a way to demonstrate our commitment to developing ideas from the people who are on the front lines of health care," said Alecia Cooper, R.N., M.B.A., C.N.O.R., senior vice president of clinical services marketing for Medline. "For someone who doesn't do one every day, applying for a grant can be a bit scary. Assigning a mentor to help gives everyone a fair chance to have their idea brought to light and become a reality."
Grant recipients will be announced as they are funded between January 1 and April 30, 2009. The deadline for grant applications is January 31, 2009. For detailed information about the Prevention Above All Discoveries Grant program, including guidelines for the letter of intent and an example of a successful submission, visit www.medline.com or call 1-866-941-1998.
About Medline
Medline, the nation's largest privately held manufacturer and distributor of healthcare products, manufactures and distributes more than 100,000 products to hospitals, extended care facilities, surgery centers, home care dealers and agencies and other markets. Headquartered in Mundelein, IL, Medline has more than 800 dedicated sales representatives nationwide to support its broad product line and cost management services.
Over the past five years, Medline has been the fastest growing distributor of medical and surgical supplies in the U.S., serving as the primary distributor to over 250 major hospitals and health care systems. As a leading distributor, Medline offers a comprehensive array of consulting and management services encompassing the supply chain and logistics, utilization and standardization, business tools and enhanced reporting capabilities, and on-staff clinicians.
Medline has a growing network of 34 distribution centers around the country, as well as an expanding, dedicated transportation fleet with over 160 vehicles in a variety of sizes to fit customers' specific delivery needs. The fleet is equipped with the latest navigation devices for enhanced order tracking and communication.