Research Portfolio

The effects of implementation of a tertiary survey tool for multi-trauma patients.

Missed injuries in trauma patients are a well recognised phenomenon. Currently at Gold Coast Hospital there is no formalized process for review of multi-trauma patients who are admitted to the general ward. Anecdotal evidence from the emergency department’s monthly trauma review meeting suggests that there are multiple factors that contribute to missed injuries. Commonly patients with an altered level of consciousness, those that are intoxicated or those that are unstable and require immediate operation, have injuries that may not be recognized in the ED. Also at risk are patients transferred from other facilities that have been assessed and managed elsewhere.…

Principal Investigator: Prof Gerben Keijzers
Amount Awarded: $46,552
Institution: Gold Coast University Hospital

Developing a quality framework for the care of older patients in the Emergency Department.

Over the next 20 years there is expected to be a burgeoning in the number of people aged ≥ 70 years in Australia. This rapid aging of our population is expected to result in a marked increase in elderly patient presentations to Emergency Departments. Elderly patients have complex care needs that are highly time- and resource-intensive. In addition, the elderly more commonly have poor outcomes after discharge from emergency, with higher rates of missed diagnoses and medication errors. However, survival and health outcomes of elderly have been shown to improve with high quality care. Quality indicators (QIs) are tools that…

Principal Investigator: Dr Ellen Burkett
Amount Awarded: $280,539
Institution: Princess Alexandra Hospital

Quality linking of health data to evaluate patient and health service outcomes and key performance indicators following the implementation of patient flow strategies.

In order to understand the effectiveness of health service delivery, and the impact of changes in processes and procedures, it is important to first be capable of analysing the data that documents patients’ journeys through the hospital. This project will bring together key data from multiple disjointed information systems so that analysis can be undertaken on the flow of patients through the Gold Coast Hospital (GCH); from the ambulance, through the Emergency Department, and admission to a ward, including the operating rooms, radiology, pathology, and pharmacy that they encounter up to their departure. With this holistic view of patients’ journey…

Principal Investigator: Dr Gerben Keijzers
Amount Awarded: $104,833
Institution: Gold Coast University Hospital

Decimalate: Use of an on-line Smart Test and survey to determine whether comprehension of decimals is a barrier to interpretation of clinical chemistry results among Emergency Department staff.

Recognition of the extent of medication errors resulting from misinterpretation of instructions have resulted in a multitude of recommended practices to reduce the likelihood. One area which may contribute to error, but one which has received less attention, is that of accurate interpretation of clinical chemistry results. It is well recognised that numbers containing decimal places can lead to error in medications with decimals overlooked or misplaced. Anecdotal evidence from Emergency Physicians indicates difficulty in interpreting clinical chemistry results which are presented with leading decimals (e.g. 0.0095 g/l). Misconceptions about decimals have been the subject of extensive study. Half of…

Principal Investigator: Dr Michael Sinnott
Amount Awarded: $11,369.00
Institution: Princess Alexandra Hospital

To determine what factors inhibit interns from developing and/or recording their clinical impressions (diagnoses) and management plans following patient assessment.

A hand written chart or clinical record is the most widely used method of patient care documentation in emergency departments. Research demonstrates that medical note taking responsibilities are frequently fulfilled to less than optimal standards by clinicians in many care settings including EDs (Gordon et al., 2010, Stetson et al. 2008). This has major implications for patient safety because communication between colleagues at shift change and patient handover can be compromised by poor record keeping. In addition, without accurate documentation of what has occurred in the emergency department, other professionals are unable to learn what care has been delivered. Furthermore,…

Principal Investigator: Dr Jonathon Isoardi
Amount Awarded: $48,000.00
Institution: Princess Alexandra Hospital