Researcher Getty Huisman-de Waal has been appointed Professor of Appropriate surgical care at Radboud university medical center / Radboud University. Central to her work is the question: which care is truly necessary, and which is not? She also examines how data and technological innovations can contribute to better and more sustainable healthcare.
Many procedures in healthcare are carried out simply because they are customary or have evolved historically, even though their effectiveness is not always supported by evidence. This is the core of Getty Huisman-de Waal’s research: critically reviewing daily care practices and strengthening their scientific foundation. After completing her PhD, she joined an international consortium focusing on fundamental care, with a special focus on prevention, recovery, and living with illness (well-being). ‘Staff shortages and rising costs mean we have to make tough choices,’ she says. ‘That is why we are working toward stronger evidence base for the hospital care we provide every day.’
‘Low value care’ List: Less care, more impact
One important outcome of her work is the ‘Low value care’ List, which identifies nursing interventions shown to be ineffective. The initiative led to national programs and was adopted by dozens of hospitals and other organizations. Its impact has been substantial: fewer unnecessary interventions, reduced workload, greater professional autonomy for nurses, and a more sustainable healthcare system. Importantly, patient outcomes, experiences, and perspectives remain central. As Huisman-de Waal explains, ‘The patient’s voice is included in every project we undertake.’
A concrete example is the use of dressings on primarily closed wounds. Research showed that discontinuing this practice in just half of the cases could save five million euros annually in the Netherlands. Patients consider this an acceptable solution, and it is more sustainable as well, Huisman-de Waal notes. ‘However, de‑implementation and behavior change are difficult in practice: we know dressings add no to little value, yet we still use them too often.’
Sustainability and behavior change
Huisman-de Waal emphasizes that sustainability still requires much more attention, although awareness is growing. Early in her career, she worked on the Washing without Water pilot for bedridden patients, demonstrating that care processes can be simpler, more efficient, and more sustainable. ‘Although nurses were initially hesitant, practice showed that the new approach benefits both patients and professionals: patients feel clean and comfortable, it is demonstrably more sustainable, and it saves time that can be spent on other forms of care.’
Technology and data as accelerators
Getty Huisman-de Waal also studies the role of data and technology in daily care. Continuous monitoring of vital signs leads to better care outcomes and supports healthcare professionals. ‘At Radboudumc, we are at the forefront in this area. We continue to investigate how technology can best align with clinical practice,’ she says.
Building on this work, the research has now taken the next step. By using artificial intelligence, the Visensia Safety Index (VSI) has been developed and can be linked to continuous monitoring of vital parameters. This algorithm detects trends and identifies patients at increased risk of clinical deterioration. ‘We want to understand whether and how this score supports healthcare professionals in their clinical reasoning.’
Career
Getty Huisman-de Waal studied Nursing at HAN University of Applied Sciences and subsequently worked as a nurse at Radboudumc. She obtained a master's degree in health sciences from Maastricht University. Her PhD research focused on home parenteral nutrition (dissertation: Home parenteral nutrition: From prolonging to improving life). As an associate professor, she specialized in mixed-methods research with a strong focus on both healthcare professionals and patients. She serves on the boards of the Dutch Science in Surgical Nursing (DSSN) group and the International Learning Collaborative (ILC), which focuses on fundamental care. Her appointment as professor begins on 1 June 2026 and is for a period of five years.
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