INDIANAPOLIS, Oct. 17, 2019 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- Sigma Theta
Tau International Honor Society of Nursing (Sigma) has named Stijn
Blot, PhD as the 2019 recipient of the Baxter International
Foundation–supported Sigma Episteme Award. Established in 1989, the
Episteme Award is bestowed upon a nurse who has contributed
significantly to nursing knowledge development, application, or
discovery that resulted in a recognizable and sizable benefit to
the public. Dr. Blot is being honored for his work on clinical
epidemiology of healthcare-associated complications in critically
ill patients.
Dr. Blot is a research professor at Ghent University in
Flanders, Belgium and is an
honorary professor at the University of
Queensland (Australia). His
varied background enables him to bridge distinct disciplines and
interpret clinical data with the cross-collaboration necessary to
advance healthcare around the world. He is the editor of multiple
works, author of 40 books and chapters, and is responsible for 290
publications indexed in the Web of Science, adding to an h-index of
57. Dr. Blot is also a 2015 Sigma International Nurse Researcher
Hall of Fame inductee.
Dr. Blot is dedicated to improving patient safety on a global
scale, producing groundbreaking work that addresses the common
complications and adverse experiences in critical care. His most
recent work discovered a link between chlorhexidine oral care, an
oral antiseptic used to prevent pneumonia, and a significant
increase in mortality risk among hospitalized patients who are
exposed to chlorhexidine oral care. The findings of his most recent
study have resulted in a call for reconsideration of a practice
recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the
Institute for Healthcare Improvement, and the American Thoracic
Society/Infectious Diseases Society of America.
"Dr. Blot's groundbreaking work on the prevention and management
of healthcare-associated infection in the critical care field has
provided a significant, worldwide impact on patient safety and
care," said Sigma President Beth Baldwin
Tigges, PhD, RN, PNP, BC. "I congratulate Dr. Blot on being
named Sigma's 2019 Episteme Laureate and I applaud his innovative
work advancing patient health and safety around the world."
"Advancing acute care for critically ill patients is a key
component of Baxter's work each and every day," said VerĂłnica
Arroyave, executive director of the Baxter International
Foundation. "Innovation in this space would not be possible without
the contributions of dedicated experts in the field. We're honored
to support Sigma in its recognition of nurses like Dr. Blot."
As Episteme Laureate, Dr. Blot will be the keynote speaker at
Sigma's 45th Biennial Convention, where he will be presented with
the Episteme Award. The convention will be held in Washington, DC, USA, 16-20 November 2019. Convention details can be
found at SigmaNursing.org/Convention.
About Sigma
The Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing (Sigma)
is a nonprofit organization whose mission is advancing world health
and celebrating nursing excellence in scholarship, leadership, and
service. Founded in 1922, Sigma has more than 135,000 active
members in over 90 countries and territories. Members include
practicing nurses, instructors, researchers, policymakers,
entrepreneurs, and others. Sigma's more than 540 chapters are
located at more than 700 institutions of higher education
throughout Armenia, Australia, Botswana, Brazil, Canada, Colombia, England, Ghana, Hong
Kong, Ireland, Japan, Jordan, Kenya, Lebanon, Malawi, Mexico, the
Netherlands, Pakistan,
Philippines, Portugal, Singapore, South
Africa, South Korea,
Swaziland, Sweden, Taiwan, Tanzania, Thailand, the United
States, and Wales. Learn
more at http://www.SigmaNursing.org.
About the Episteme Award Sponsors
Every day, Baxter and the Baxter International Foundation strive to
make a meaningful difference in the lives of people who depend on
our products, and in the communities where our employees live and
work. The Foundation helps advance Baxter's mission to save and
sustain lives by partnering with organizations around the world to
increase access to healthcare for the underserved, develop the next
generation of innovators who will lead the way in advancing
healthcare and to create a positive, long-lasting impact in
communities globally. For more information, please visit our
Corporate Responsibility page.
SOURCE Sigma