Fellows are expected to participate in at least one research project and one quality improvement project. Monthly research forums are held to discuss projects and ideas as well as to receive didactics on research methodology, statistics and abstract and manuscript preparation. The research program is supported by a dedicated data collector, an electronic database capable of measuring several severity of illness indicators, and statistical support from the Clinical Research Center. Internal funding is available for start-up projects through the Department of Surgery.

The formal research program for the fellowship currently includes the following faculty mentored projects:

• Simulation education vs.traditional education and the management of traumatic brain injury
• The use of hypertonic saline in management of intracranial hypertension
• Deep venous thrombosis in neurocritically ill patients
• Risk factors for Ventilator Associated Pneumonia
• Early mobilization in the ICU
• EKOS and heparin induced thrombocytopenia
• Quality of life outcomes following tracheostomy
• Simulation education in critical care
• Age and outcomes in the SICU

Past fellows have presented research findings at several national and local society meetings including the Society of Critical Care Medicine.