Is Lactic Acid Concentration In Amniotic Fluid A New Predictor Of Labour Dystocia?
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$682,538.00
Summary
This study will establish whether higher concentrations of lactate in the amniotic fluid of labouring women can be used as a surrogate marker to improve diagnoses of presence or absence of dystocia. Labour dystocia is a serious problem experienced during childbirth, and is one of the main indications for emergency caesarean section or forceps or vacuum delivery. Although dystocia is a common clinical problem, the current lack of a precise definition leads to considerable variation in practice.
Using Collaboration Networks To Measure Bias And Inefficiency In The Production And Translation Of Evidence About Cardiovascular Risk
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$219,806.00
Summary
Doctors rely on clinical trials comparing the safety and efficacy of cardiovascular treatments but are often unable to find or trust the information they seek because of problems in evidence translation. This project will examine the networks of collaboration amongst researchers and their research to identify the source of these problems. The research will be used to identify where to intervene in the process, in turn helping doctors to make safe and cost-effective decisions for their patients.
Implementation Of A Novel Clinical Pathway Of Care For Common Musculoskeletal Disorders In Primary Care.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,525,730.00
Summary
This project provides a solution to the burden musculoskeletal disorders in Australia. We will implement a novel clinical pathway of care that uses simple questionnaires to determine whether people will recover simply or require complex care. If simple, we provide people and their healthcare practitioner with guideline-based information developed by our expert team. If complex, we refer them to an expert physiotherapist who can undertake more complex assessments and direct care appropriately.
The SAVE Trial: Securing All IntraVenous Devices Effectively In Hospitals. A Randomised Controlled Trial
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$980,393.00
Summary
Going to hospital usually means having an IV drip in your hand or arm vein. Almost half of all IV drips fall out or fail because they are not well secured to the skin. This means patients miss out on treatment and have additional painful needlesticks to insert new devices. Serious infections can also occur. This study will find the best dressings to use on IV drips. Patients will have their drips glued in with medical superglue, or have one of two new dressings, compared with current usual care.
Sedation Practice In Intensive Care Evaluation (SPICE) Randomised Controlled Trial.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$2,752,725.00
Summary
Almost every patient in intensive care needs sedating drugs for comfort and provision of life-saving treatment. However, sedation causes side effects including coma, delirium and agitation. There is no high-level evidence to help doctors decide which sedatives to choose and the best way to administer them. The SPICE trial will test a new approach called Early Goal-Directed Sedation based on an alternative sedative agent to see whether it delivers safer, targeted light sedation with less delirium ....Almost every patient in intensive care needs sedating drugs for comfort and provision of life-saving treatment. However, sedation causes side effects including coma, delirium and agitation. There is no high-level evidence to help doctors decide which sedatives to choose and the best way to administer them. The SPICE trial will test a new approach called Early Goal-Directed Sedation based on an alternative sedative agent to see whether it delivers safer, targeted light sedation with less delirium.Read moreRead less
SEA-URCHIN: South East Asia - Using Research For Change In Hospital-acquired Infection In Neonates
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$2,303,773.00
Summary
Each year, more than one million babies die from infection before they reach one month of age. Proven and inexpensive practices to prevent and treat infection exist but they are not always followed (eg hand washing). This research will evaluate the impact of tailored implementation strategies on rates of infection and death in the neonatal units of nine hospitals in four counties in South East Asia. Staff from these units will work with Australian partners to devise, implement and evaluate diffe ....Each year, more than one million babies die from infection before they reach one month of age. Proven and inexpensive practices to prevent and treat infection exist but they are not always followed (eg hand washing). This research will evaluate the impact of tailored implementation strategies on rates of infection and death in the neonatal units of nine hospitals in four counties in South East Asia. Staff from these units will work with Australian partners to devise, implement and evaluate different strategies.Read moreRead less
Peripherally InSerted CEntral Catheter Securement: The PISCES Trial
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,101,717.00
Summary
Cancer treatment often requires a peripherally inserted central catheter (PICC) for chemotherapy, transfusions, medicines, fluids, nutrition and/or blood sampling. Current PICC dressing and securement products are not preventing the 30% of PICCs that develop infection, occlusion, thrombosis or dislodgement. New products are available that may reduce complications. This trial will test their effectiveness, costs, comfort and practicality, working closely with patients, nurses and doctors.
Can Preventive Care Activities In General Practice Be Sustained When Financial Incentives And External Audit Plus Feedback Are Removed? A Randomised Controlled Trial
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,201,443.00
Summary
There is increasing debate about the effectiveness of incentive payments and audit plus feedback on the clinical behaviour of general practitioners (GPs). Governments both in Australia and the UK are raising the threshold targets for payment eligibility making it more difficult for GPs to get payments. We will conduct a trial that will investigate the impact of removing financial incentives and/or external audit plus feedback on the preventive care activities of GPs.
How Can We Accurately Predict Intra-cranial Injury In Children: The APIC Study
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$836,500.00
Summary
Head injuries are a common in children. Even a seemingly minor incident may cause serious brain injury. Whilst head computed tomography (CT) identifies all important injuries there is a growing recognition that radiation from CTs increases the risk of fatal brain cancers, especially in younger children. This study of 10,000 children with head injuries aims to investigate the best way to accurately predict which children should undergo a head CT, and which children do not require one.
A Randomised Controlled Trial Of Aetiology Based Antiemetic Guidelines For Reducing Nausea In Advanced Cancer Patients.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,152,116.00
Summary
Nausea is a problem that can be very distressing to patients, and one that is difficult to assess and manage in patients with advanced cancer due to its multiple potential causes for this group. This study aims to test the effectiveness of an intervention which uses available anti-nausea medication specifically targeted to the likely cause of nausea for that individual to reduce the severity and impact of the symptom. It also tests second line medicatioins where nausea is unrelieved.