In 2002, the Center for Nursing Research and Quality Outcomes (CNRQO) was established within the MaineHealth Maine Medical Center (MHMMC) Portland Department of Nursing to promote quality patient care and patient-centered outcomes. The CNRQO provides full-time, on-site scholarly support for all nursing staff to integrate scientific evidence and research into their nursing practice.
The success of this hospital-based service was expanded in 2009 to include support for a diverse group of health care professionals, such as physical therapists, speech and language pathologists, dietitians and other clinicians. Today, the CNRQO fosters a culture of evidence-based practice across the MaineHealth southern region by supporting care team members with all aspects of their research studies and quality improvement projects.
Promoting excellence in clinical care and patient outcomes
The core mission of the CNRQO is to promote excellence in clinical care and improvement of patient outcomes through the generation of new scientific knowledge and the translation, synthesis, and implementation of existing evidence into practice. We are dedicated to improvements in evidence-based patient care and professional practice through the advancement of the art and science of nursing. We aim to:
- Promote quality patient care and outcomes
- Generate, analyze, disseminate and translate patient care findings and outcomes
- Foster collaborative interprofessional partnerships through research and education for the communities we serve.
The CNRQO also provides consultative services on evidence-based practice, quantitative and qualitative research and other topics to a variety of institutions across the country.
The CNRQO regularly celebrates the outstanding scholarly work accomplished by clinicians through:
- Two annual research excellence awards: Evidence-Based Practice/Quality Improvement and Research
- Nursing annual report
- Support of nurses and colleagues presenting work at local, national/international conferences and professional meetings
- Interprofessional Research and Innovation Council Updates
- Patient care services grand rounds
- Various educational initiatives, including introductions to research and evidence-based practice for the Nurse Residency Program
Quality and research
The CNRQO provides consultation and assistance to clinical staff for evidence-based practice, quality improvement and research projects. This includes:
- Development of clinically important questions
- Crystallization of project/study designs
- Institutional Review Board (IRB) proposal and application writing
- Implementation of project/research plans
- Data collection, entry and analysis
- Interpretation and utilization of findings
- Support for dissemination at inter-professional conferences
- Support for publication in peer-reviewed journals and internal reporting mechanisms
The qualitative research interest group (QRIG) is one of six interprofessional research-focused groups that were formed in 2014 to promote collegiality and learning among clinicians and researchers at MHMMC. The CNRQO has historically been involved in planning QRIG meetings.
This program is hosted through the MaineHealth Institute for Research. During meetings, members discuss topics of interest related to qualitative research methods. The group meets via Teams every two months (January, March, May, July, September and November) and is open to the public.
Please contact Rachael Haskell, LMSW-cc, MSW, BA at rachael.haskell2@mainehealth.org for more information.
Rachael Haskell, LMSW-cc, MSW, BA - Research Associate III - Non-Bench (H)
Rachael Haskell, MSW joined MaineHealth Maine Medical Center Portland in May 2025 and serves as a Research Associate III for the Center for Nursing Research and Quality Outcomes (CNRQO). She received her Bachelor of Arts degree from Boston College and her Master of Social Work degree from the University of Southern Maine. Rachael has had varied research experience throughout her academic career. As an undergraduate at Boston College, she conducted an honors thesis research experiment on the relationships between perceptions, knowledge, and stigmatization of different psychiatric conditions. While at the University of Southern Maine, Rachael worked at the Catherine Cutler Institute as a Graduate Assistant. There, she worked with the Data Innovation Project and as a member of the program evaluation team for the Maternal, Infant, and Early Childhood Home Visiting program. Her research experience is focused on improving services for individuals, families, and communities as a part of her macro social work lens.
Zoe Samson, RN, PhD, CDCES - Research Nurse Specialist
Zoe Samson, RN, PhD joined MaineHealth in February 2025 and serves as a Research Nurse Specialist for the Center for Nursing Research and Quality Outcomes (CNRQO). She received her BSN from Emory University and PhD in Nursing and Health Policy from the University of California San Francisco. She has a clinical background in adult neurological critical care, adult and pediatric home health, and clinical trials support for investigations of novel diabetes treatments. Her research has focused on the nursing workforce and community services and supports for older adults, particularly in the area of home health care. She has experience analyzing large datasets, surveys and medical claims data. She is an associate editor for the Journal of Maine Medical Center.