Research Portfolio

Point-of-care testing for better management of acutely ill remote patients.

Australians living in rural and remote areas experience a significantly higher burden of acute care episodes compared to those living in metropolitan and urban areas. A contributing factor is the effect of geographical isolation and its impact on access to health services including pathology testing. We aim to assess the benefits of using point-of-care testing at remotely located health centres of the Northern Territory. Point-of-care testing enables pathology testing to be performed on-site, with results available during the patient consultation. We will investigate the clinical benefits of using point-of-care testing to either rule-out a potential acute medical problem, stabilise an…

Principal Investigator: Prof Mark Shephard
Amount Awarded: $95,730
Institution: The Flinders University Of South Australia

Ketamine vs Propofol in Sedation of Psychiatric/Psychotic Patients requiring Retrieval.

The research aim is to conduct as a randomised clinical trial comparing the use of Ketamine and Propofol in sedating acute psychiatric patients for safe aeromedical retrieval. The inherent dangers of the aviation environment combined with the potential and unpredictable behaviour of acute psychiatric patients presents a challenge to even the most experienced aeromedical retrieval clinician. An efficacious sedation drug is vital in this environment to ensure patient and crew safety and to minimise patient distress. The outcomes of this research will highlight the potential complications, the safety profile and efficacy of different sedation agent utilised in the sedation of…

Principal Investigator: Ms Jodie Mills
Amount Awarded: $50,000
Institution: CareFlight

Validation and Impact of the Four-Hour Rule in the Emergency Department

This was a national collaborative research project approved by the National Health and Medical Research Council Partnership Projects scheme. This project aims to identify how the four-hour rule is effective in reducing access block and the adverse effects of emergency department overcrowding on patients. In particular, it assessed the impact of the four-hour rule as a policy intervention in reducing emergency department length of stay (EDLOS) over time in WA and compare the outcomes against comparable hospitals in NSW, Qld and ACT. This project hypothesised that effective intervention for reducing EDLOS would translate into improved patient outcomes, particularly in subgroups…

Principal Investigator: Dr John Burke
Amount Awarded: $50,000
Institution: Royal Brisbane & Women's Hospital

Is Helicopter Transport Safe for Divers with Decompression Illness?

Diving is a common recreational activity for both Queenslanders and tourists alike. It forms the basis for whole tourism industries based on the Great Barrier Reef. Unfortunately diving does have risks which includes decompression illness (DCI). DCI involves formation of gas bubbles and can be fatal. Treatment usually involves re-pressurisation in special chambers designed to ‘squash’ the bubbles and reduce symptoms. Affected divers can only receive this treatment in certain hospitals. They may need to be transported urgently by helicopters from the reef to hospital. However, some people believe that the vibration of the helicopter may increase the number of…

Principal Investigator: Dr Denise Blake
Amount Awarded: $46,310.62
Institution: Townsville University Hospital

Blind Prescribing and the prescribing preparedness of doctors in Emergency Departments.

“Blind Prescribing” describes the situation where a medical practitioner prescribes a medication they know little about. Theoretically, ‘blind prescribing’ could lead to higher rates of medication error and unsafe medical practice. The project aims to determine if Blind Prescribing occurs in emergency medicine, to identify the prevalence of the practice, and propose situational and contextual factors pertinent to Emergency medicine that are thought to enable this practice.

Principal Investigator: Dr Michael Sinnott
Amount Awarded: $15,200
Institution: Princess Alexandra Hospital