Research Portfolio

Exploring the practice of nurse-initiated medications in the emergency department

The autonomy to nurse-initiate analgesia and selected medications enhances processes in the emergency department (ED). Nurse-initiating practice enhances patient care and clinical outcomes by improving pain assessment, it provides safe pain management, and reduces time to analgesia ED. However, the practice might be underutilised due to feelings of reluctance or apparent medication knowledge deficit. The factors that may contribute to reluctance or hinder medication knowledge are unknown. A qualitative methodology is proposed to determine these factors, because it can potentially identify practice gaps, isolate flaws in the current education method utilised in the ED, and establish strategies that maintain medication…

Principal Investigator: Dr Michael Sinnott
Amount Awarded: $7,478.84
Institution: Princess Alexandra Hospital

The Cannulation Rates in ED Intervention Trial (CREDIT)

A peripherally inserted intravenous catheter (PIVC) is a small tube placed into a vein to administer medication or fluids. PIVCs are commonly used in Emergency Departments but recent literature suggests that emergency care providers may place PIVCs more often than required; up to 50% remain unused. This places the patient at unnecessary risk of catheter­-related infections and is associated with a high financial cost to the healthcare system. We will conduct a historically controlled trial where observational data will be collected before and after an intervention aimed to reduce PIVC use. Data collected before the intervention will identify 1) how…

Principal Investigator: Prof Louise Cullen
Amount Awarded: $80,000
Institution: Royal Brisbane & Women's Hospital

Delivering emergency care in the watch house: an outcomes analysis.

Increasingly, prisoners are requiring transfer to and assessment in the ED; some for illnesses that may be treated in the custodial environment with an appropriately trained health care professional. Optimising how health care is delivered in the watch house environment was the focus of this study, following recommendations in a recent (2012) Inquiry following the death of Herbert John Mitchell. This study is underpinned by recommendations from deaths in custody, the literature and anecdotal experience. The study will provide a comprehensive outcomes evaluation of a 66 day trial of a model where emergency nurses were posted to the local watch…

Principal Investigator: A/Prof David Green
Amount Awarded: $116,772
Institution: Gold Coast Hospital and Health Service

Reducing Emergency Department demand through expanded primary healthcare practice.

Patient demand on Emergency Departments (EDs) is rising by over 3% per annum contributing to congestion. ED congestion is known to be associated with poor health outcomes and reduced efficiency; the latter is characterised by increased waiting time, length of stay and ambulance diversion. Even though the National Emergency Access Target (the four-hour rule) has reduced the level of access block, initiatives to reduce ED demands have not had significant effect to date. Previous research undertaken by the emergency health research group at QUT has described in detail the increases in demand and has identified some contributing factors. Our research…

Principal Investigator: Dr Douglas Morel
Amount Awarded: $227,682
Institution: Redcliffe Hospital

Morale, stress and coping strategies of staff working in the emergency department: a national and international comparison.

Workplace stress in the emergency department (ED) is an internationally recognised issue. It is important to understand how ED staff cope with the stressors within their working environment. The overall aim of this study was to describe and compare the impact of the working environment and varied coping strategies amongst medical and nursing staff working in Emergency Departments (ED) in Australia and Sweden.

Principal Investigator: Dr Ogilvie Thom
Amount Awarded: $29,141
Institution: Nambour General Hospital