Risk Stratification Of Older People In Hospital: Validation And Influence On Clinical Decision Making
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$291,067.00
Summary
Older people in hospital are at high risk of adverse outcomes, a vulnerability commonly referred to as frailty. In community-dwelling older people, frailty status can be measured precisely with a Frailty Index score. This research aims to develop a Frailty Index from a standardised comprehensive geriatric assessment instrument used in the routine care of many patients in hospital. This would assist clinicians to identify vulnerable older inpatients, improving their care in the acute setting.
The Prophylactic Hypothermia To Lessen Traumatic Brain Injury-randomised Controlled Trial : Continuation Of Funding Request
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$266,321.00
Summary
Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a major cause of death and long term disability. About half with severe TBI will die or have a poor outcome. The social and economic costs to the community are high. Treatment focuses on optimising oxygen and blood flow to the brain. Cooling may protect the brain. POLAR is a randomised trial of early cooling in patients with TBI. Cooling is started within 3 hours of injury. Data about the injury management and safety is collected. Recovery is measured at 6 months.
Communication Disabilities And Patient Safety In Hospital.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$341,111.00
Summary
Hospital patients with communication disabilities are up to three times more likely than other patients to experience preventable, harmful patient safety incidents. We will develop (a) a theoretically sound and evidence based framework that helps to prevent and manage patient safety incidents, and (b) a Clinical Audit Tool for Communication in Hospital (CATCH) to improve patient safety for adults with little or no speech. This information will reduce costs associated with adverse events, and imp ....Hospital patients with communication disabilities are up to three times more likely than other patients to experience preventable, harmful patient safety incidents. We will develop (a) a theoretically sound and evidence based framework that helps to prevent and manage patient safety incidents, and (b) a Clinical Audit Tool for Communication in Hospital (CATCH) to improve patient safety for adults with little or no speech. This information will reduce costs associated with adverse events, and improve patient care.Read moreRead less
A Randomised Controlled Trial Of Prophylactic Hypothermia In Severe Traumatic Brain Injury.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$2,061,506.00
Summary
Patients who suffer from a severe head injury (traumatic brain injury) have a 50% chance of having severe long term neurological disability or death. Some of this damage occurs after the initial injury and may be reduced by artificially lowering the body termperature for up to 7 days to protect the brain from further damage. This project will determine if early, sustained cooling is safe and if it can improve the long term neurological outcomes of patients with traumatic brain injury.
STARRT-AKI: STandard Versus Accelerated Initiation Of Renal Replacement Therapy In Acute Kidney Injury
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$2,112,447.00
Summary
Acute kidney failure is increasing globally and there are no treatments proven to improve patient outcomes. The STARRT-AKI Study will, as part of an international collaboration, examine the effect upon patient survival of the timing of dialysis initiation in patients with acute kidney failure who are critically ill in intensive care units.
Most strokes are ischaemic due to occlusion of an artery producing rapid reduction in blood flow to the brain. Positioning a patient ‘lying flat’ (i.e. ‘head down’ to be level with the body, which increases the blood flow to the brain, may improve recovery and reduce disability. This study aims to determine whether ‘lying flat’ head positioning is beneficial in patients with acute stroke. The results could lead to a cheaper, safer and more effective stroke care in the world.
A Randomized, Double-blinded Controlled Trial (RCT) Of A New Whole IgG, Equine Antivenom Compared To The Currently Used F(ab’)2 CSL Taipan Antivenom, For The Treatment Of Papuan Taipan (Oxyuranus Scutellatus) Envenoming In Papua New Guinea.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,453,073.00
Summary
Snakebite is very common in Papua New Guinea (PNG), and many bites are caused by the Papuan taipan, a highly venomous snake found in the southern PNG savannah's. Current antivenom is expensive (US$1500) and many patients do not receive optimal treatment. We will conduct a randomised controlled trial of a new, low cost taipan antivenom developed specifically for PNG. The safety and efficacy of the new antivenom is compared to the existing product to determine if it is a suitable alternative.
Falls Prevention In The Acute Hospital Setting: A Multi-centre Cluster Randomised Controlled Trial Of Efficacy, Cost Effectiveness And Sustainability Of The 6-PACK Program.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,218,771.00
Summary
Older people commonly fall in hospital suffering injuries such as a broken hip which are costly for the faller and hospital. Falls can result in a nursing home stay as they reduce a person's confidence and ability to do simple tasks like showering. We have designed a program with the potential to reduce fall injuries, using an approach with promising results from one hospital. This project will evaluate this program that aims to improve the care of older people in hospital.
The Effect Of A Coordinated Care Intervention, Care Navigation, On The Readmission Rate Of Chronically Ill Patients At Nepean Hospital.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$735,481.00
Summary
Chronic illness is becoming more common in Australia as the population ages and as medical technology saves more lives from heart attack, diabetes and stroke with people suffering from these conditions then requiring continuing community care for years. How best to link hospital and community health services to serve patients at the beginning of their illness when they first come to hospital is the object of Care Navigation, a program based at Nepean Hospital in Western Sydney and surrounding co ....Chronic illness is becoming more common in Australia as the population ages and as medical technology saves more lives from heart attack, diabetes and stroke with people suffering from these conditions then requiring continuing community care for years. How best to link hospital and community health services to serve patients at the beginning of their illness when they first come to hospital is the object of Care Navigation, a program based at Nepean Hospital in Western Sydney and surrounding community.Read moreRead less
New Treatments For Acute Kidney Injury-Targeting The IL-17A Pathway
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$507,200.00
Summary
Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a common cause of ill-health and death. Despite the frequency and seriousness of AKI no new treatments have developed over the past 40 years. While AKI can occur spontaneously it can also develop after treatment with medications, in particular cancer therapies. In this proposal we will explore the effect of new treatments to prevent AKI. We plan to identify new treatments for patients with AKI, with particular relevance to patients receiving cancer treatments.