Research presented at a national healthcare conference this past month may already be shaping the care patients receive today.

From safer opioid prescribing after surgery to better understanding cardiovascular risk and the role of mental health support in cancer care, Sutter Health researchers shared studies at the 2026 Health Care Systems Research Network Conference in Dallas, Texas, reflecting a learning health system designed to continuously improve care through real-world research and clinical insight.

With nine oral presentations accepted, Sutter Health was among the most represented health systems at this year’s conference, highlighting the organization’s growing role in advancing research grounded in everyday clinical care.

Dr. Matthew Solomon

“HCSRN is an important forum for health systems committed to advancing care through innovation and leveraging real-world data,” said Dr. Matthew Solomon, vice president and chief scientific officer at Sutter Health. “Our presence reflects Sutter Health’s investment in asking and answering meaningful clinical questions, rigorously evaluating care models and using evidence to improve care for the patients and communities we serve.”

Research grounded in real-world care

The conference brought together researchers from integrated health systems across the country to share work rooted in everyday clinical practice. At Sutter Health, that approach is central to how research is conducted.

Dr. J.B. Jones

“At HCSRN, our team shared research drawing on Sutter’s large-scale electronic health record data, advanced analytics and the lived experiences of patients and clinicians,” said Dr. J.B. Jones, interim director of Sutter’s Center for Health Systems Research. “This means producing results that more accurately reflect the realities of real-world care delivery.”

Across presentations, a consistent theme emerged. Better data leads to clearer insights, and clearer insights lead to better care.

Finding where care can improve

Several studies presented at HCSRN focused on identifying opportunities to strengthen care delivery, improve consistency and support better outcomes for patients.

Recent research at Sutter Health shows how evidence-based approaches can make care safer and more effective. One study examined opioid prescribing after surgery across nearly 20 hospitals and found that reducing prescriptions did not lead to more refill requests or new opioid use. The findings support safer pain management that reduces risk without compromising patient outcomes.

In another study, researchers examined language used in perinatal clinical notes. An analysis of nearly 2 million records found that some documentation included language that could be perceived as judgmental or inconsistent across patient records. The findings highlight an opportunity to promote clearer, more consistent communication, which plays an important role in building trust and supporting patient engagement.

Additional research examined mental health support for patients diagnosed with cancer. Among more than 34,000 patients, those who received comprehensive behavioral health care experienced better outcomes, particularly those with more advanced illness. The findings highlight the value of integrating mental health support into the overall care experience.

Together, these studies show how research can inform better clinical practice, strengthen communication and support more wholistic patient care.

Evidence guiding clinical practice

Other findings offered practical insights to support clinical decision-making.

Research evaluating cardiovascular risk tools showed that updates to these models could change who is eligible for preventive therapies, reinforcing the importance of careful and thoughtful use of such models in clinical care.

Another study examining heart disease in younger adults found meaningful differences across diverse patient populations, highlighting the importance of tailoring prevention strategies to better support individual patient needs.

Taken together, this work reflects how data-driven insights can help clinicians make more informed decisions and deliver care that is both more precise and responsive to patient needs.

Testing what actually works

Sutter Health researchers also examined how emerging technologies can support care when applied thoughtfully.

Studies evaluating ambient artificial intelligence scribes explored their impact on patient experience, while related work assessed how large language models can support qualitative research. Related work assessed how large language models can support qualitative research, finding they can help identify themes more efficiently when paired with human oversight to ensure accuracy.

These efforts reflect a deliberate approach to innovation that prioritizes measurement, accountability and real-world impact.

A system built to learn

Taken together, the work presented at HCSRN reflects more than individual studies. It highlights a system where research is embedded in care delivery, allowing insights to move quickly from analysis to action.

Sutter Health’s presence at HCSRN 2026 reinforces its role as a top place to practice medicine, conduct research and learn, where clinicians and researchers collaborate to advance care in real-world settings.

Learn more about research at Sutter Health.