A case for multisite studies in critical care

Studies in critical care settings are essential to improve critical care practice. Critical care research conducted at a single site may be limited with respect to sample size leading to large type II error, diminished statistical power, decreased generalizability, and inconclusive results. Multiple-site studies are more likely to change nursing practice in critical care. They allow for larger sample size, broader sampling, faster accrual rates, and meaningful subgroup analyses. Successful multisite research requires more thorough planning, and deliberate steps are required to ensure its feasibility and acceptability. Multisite research protocols can be challenging regarding communication, reliability, and data integrity. However, defining and addressing these challenges and selecting subjects and settings appropriately can lead to results that are more generalizable and relevant to practice. (Heart Lung® 2000;29:269-77.)