Florence Nightingale Shaped COVID Care

Learn more about how Florence Nightingale helped us through early COVID pandemic response as part of our Women in Science Series!

florence nightingale covid 19
medical device REGULATORY submissions
PHARMA & BIOLOGICS REGULATORY SUBMISSIONS
TECHNOLOGY
GLOBAL INSIGHTS
DEI IN REGULATORY WRITING
GLOBAL Culture Team
February 29, 2024

This Women’s History Month, GLOBAL employees will highlight how women revolutionized science and medicine. In this blog post, Tracy Janus, Sr. VP of Regulatory Affairs & CMC, shares how century-old advice from Florence Nightingale helped us through the largest public health threat our generation has had to face.

Florence Nightingale (1820 – 1910) changed the face of nursing and healthcare globally and is regarded as the mother of modern nursing. She contributed significantly to the establishment of nursing as a respected profession for women. Her most famous book is titled "Notes on Nursing: What It Is, and What It Is Not." First published in 1859, the book aimed to improve the standards of nursing care and served as a basic instruction manual for student nurses.

However, her legacy extended beyond nursing into healthcare management, epidemiology, and public health. Nightingale’s work and philosophies have not only stood the test of time, but her teachings were instrumental in guiding policymakers and healthcare professionals during the COVID-19 pandemic. Here are some examples:

  1. Importance of Statistical Analysis: Nightingale pioneered the use of statistical graphics to depict the causes of mortality, which allowed her to convince the British Government to improve hygiene practices in military hospitals. Today, statistical analysis is equally important for understanding COVID-19 trends and outcomes.(1)
  2. Preparedness and Planning: Nightingale emphasized the need for adequate preparations and contingency plans to manage diseases and injuries, especially during wars. This principle applies to pandemics, where countries and healthcare systems must be equipped to handle sudden increases in cases.(2)
  3. Healthcare Worker Protection: Nightingale fought for better working conditions, including lighting, heating, and ventilation, for her nurses during the Crimean War. Protecting healthcare workers during the COVID-19 pandemic was similarly crucial to ensure they don't suffer harm while caring for infected patients.(3)
  4. Community Engagement and Communication: Nightingale collaborated with local populations and international actors to raise funds for her nursing projects. In the same vein, clear communication and collaboration with communities were essential during the pandemic to ensure proper public health measures are adopted.(4)
  5. Evidence-Based Decision Making: Nightingale drew on empirical evidence to shape her healthcare practices and policies. Similarly, evidence-based decision making and science-backed public health strategies were essential to combating the pandemic.(5)

Sources

Sources:

  1. Brasseur, L. (2019). Florence Nightingale, the First Female Data Analyst. Harvard Data Science Review, 1(2), 21-32.
  2. Hamric, A. B., Hanson, C. M., Tracy, M. F., & O'Grady, E. T. (Eds.). (2014). McCaffrey, Mary Elizabeth. In Textbook of Transitional Care for Children and Youth: Populations, Settings, Policy, and Practice (pp. 269-279). Springer Publishing Company.
  3. Boschma, G. (2016). Florence Nightingale and the Birth of Modern Nursing. Canadian Family Physician, 62(1), 22-23.
  4. Wilkins, K. (2016). Florence Nightingale and Public Health. Public Health Reviews, 37(1), 1-12.
  5. Roberts, M. E. (2002). Florence Nightingale and the Foundation of Modern Nursing Theory. Online Journal of Issues in Nursing, 7(2).

The Latest

GLOBAL Resources

IND vs. NDA: Understanding the Difference in FDA Submissions

For drug developers, FDA approval is a long and complex journey. Two of the most important milestones on this path are the Investigational New Drug (IND) application and the New Drug Application (NDA). While both are critical submissions, they serve very different purposes.

The FDA’s CMC Development and Readiness Pilot (CDRP) Program: What Sponsors Need to Know

In August 2023, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced the launch of the Chemistry, Manufacturing, and Controls Development and Readiness Pilot (CDRP) Program. This initiative is designed to help sponsors of certain accelerated development products better align their CMC strategies with the FDA early in the development process.

CMC Challenges in Cell & Gene Therapy: How to Avoid Regulatory Delays

In recent years, cell and gene therapies (CGTs) have transformed from scientific breakthroughs into commercial realities. These advanced modalities are redefining how we approach rare, genetic, and otherwise untreatable diseases—offering patients options that were once unimaginable. Yet, while the science is groundbreaking, the CMC (Chemistry, Manufacturing, and Controls) pathway remains one of the most significant obstacles to timely regulatory approval.

View More Resources from Global

Let's Get Started

GLOBAL provides trusted regulatory consulting , writing, and technology solutions to help manufacturers bring products to patients at a life saving pace. We’ll be with you every step of the way.

book a consultation
florence nightingale covid 19