PhD Candidate

Tommy Blodgett, MSN, RN
tommy-blodgett@uiowa.edu
30A Nursing Building
319/353-5765

Education:
MSN, University of Iowa

BSN, University of Iowa

Advisors: 

Sue Gardner, PhD, RN

Kathleen Buckwalter, PhD, RN, FAAN

Cognate Area:  Epidemiology

Emphasis:  Geroepidemiology and the epidemiology of infectious diseases

Research Focus:

My research focuses on the diagnosis, prevention, and management of hospital-acquired infections in the elderly, particularly those caused by invasive devices such as indwelling urinary catheters and central venous catheters.  This area of research stems from recent policy changes related to Medicare and Medicaid reimbursement -- essentially, hospitals would not be reimbursed by these agencies for infections, pressure ulcers, and other iatrogenic complications.  Scientists, clinicians, and policymakers agree that this change is going to have monumental effects on nursing standards of practice, teamwork, and clinical leadership.

Publications:

Blodgett, T.J. (in press). Reminder systems to reduce duration of indwelling urinary catheters: A narrative review. Urologic Nursing, 29, 4.

Blodgett, T.J. Evaluation of Barriers to Geriatric Resource Nurse Program Implementation, at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics Evidence-Based Practice Conference, April 2008.

Blodgett, T.J. Diagnostic Validity of the Leukocyte Esterase and Nitrite Test for CAUTI in Hospitalized Older Adults, at the John A. Hartford Foundation BAGNC Leadership Conference Poster Session, November 2007.

Blodgett, T.J. Choosing a specialty in nursing: Making sense of the alphabet soup, at the Surgical Updates for Nursing Conference at University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, March 2006.

Blodgett, T.J. Developing an educational program for Geriatric Resource Nurses, at the Nurses for Improving Care to Healthsystem Elders Leadership Conference, January 2005.

Buckwalter, K.C., McKay, S., & Blodgett, T.J. Best Practices for Geriatric Resource Nurses Workshop Part 1, at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, September 2004.

Buckwatler, K.C., McKay, S., & Blodgett, T.J. Best Practices for Geriatric Resource Nurses Workshop Part 2, at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, May 2004.

Blodgett, T.J. & Buckwalter, K.C. Results of Geriatric Institutional Assessment Profile, at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics Clinical Administrative Council Meeting, January 2004.

Blodgett, T.J. Resolution: In support of teaching nursing outcomes evaluation methods in Iowa colleges of nursing, at Iowa Association of Nursing Students Annual Convention, October 2003. Passed in House of Delegates.

Blodgett, T.J. Resolution: In support of a new homeless shelter in Iowa City, at University of Iowa Student Government Student Assembly Meeting, March 2003.  Passed by unanimous decision in Student Assembly.

 

Funding Sources and Collegiate Honors:

F31 – Diagnostic Validity of Leukocyte Esterase and Nitrate Tests To Detect CAUTI In Hospitalized Older Adults, 2008-2011

T32 – Gerontologic Nursing, 2004-2005

John A. Hartford Foundation BAGNC Pre-Doctoral Scholar, 2006-2008

Graduate Student of the Month, 2007

Above & Beyond Award, UIHC, 2006

Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing, Gamma Chapter

       (2003-present)

 

Current Faculty/Research Affiliations:

I am currently a graduate research assistant on Dr. Sue Gardner’s R01, looking at bioburden predictors of diabetic foot ulcer outcomes. I am also a temporary lecturer for the University of Iowa College of Nursing, and teach 2 courses in the MSN:CNL program (96:178 Therapeutic Nursing Interventions II and 96:180 Intensive Practicum I). I also teach a section of Core Clinical Practicum (96:136) in the undergraduate BSN program. I also staff PRN on a general medicine inpatient unit (6RCW) at UIHC.