Translation of evidence into pain management practices in acute care environments. This project addresses the urgent need to reduce the substantial pain experienced by patients following surgery by improving the clinical processes associated with the treatment of pain. Each year in Australia, six million people are admitted to hospital for surgery. A recent review of Australian research has shown that up to 40% of hospitalised surgical patients experience significant pain. Despite the availabili ....Translation of evidence into pain management practices in acute care environments. This project addresses the urgent need to reduce the substantial pain experienced by patients following surgery by improving the clinical processes associated with the treatment of pain. Each year in Australia, six million people are admitted to hospital for surgery. A recent review of Australian research has shown that up to 40% of hospitalised surgical patients experience significant pain. Despite the availability of effective treatment, pain after surgery is often under-treated and is one of the main postoperative adverse outcomes. A consequence of poor pain management is that patients experience unnecessary suffering, higher incidence of postoperative complications significant risk of developing chronic post-surgical pain.Read moreRead less
Listen to me, I really am sick! Understanding patient and family perspectives in triggering responses to medical emergencies. This project investigates whether patient and family perspectives are treated as evidence of a deteriorating health state whilst in hospital. Recommendations from this study will inform the development of patient centred strategies to reduce delays in clinician response to physiological deterioration and improve patient safety in hospitals.
Examining the complexity of communication processes across transition points from the emergency department to improve medication safety. Problems in communication contribute significantly to adverse events that lead to serious harm for Australian consumers. Recent data show medication errors account for over 25% of all adverse events, while over 50% of consumers who move across transition points have medication errors relating to their treatment regimen. Financial costs from adverse events are e ....Examining the complexity of communication processes across transition points from the emergency department to improve medication safety. Problems in communication contribute significantly to adverse events that lead to serious harm for Australian consumers. Recent data show medication errors account for over 25% of all adverse events, while over 50% of consumers who move across transition points have medication errors relating to their treatment regimen. Financial costs from adverse events are estimated at around $A2billion/year, which are likely to increase with further complexities involving consumer care. This study will result in new knowledge about communication processes to inform the development of reporting methods and strategies, which positively influence the practices of health professionals in managing medications as consumers move across different environments.Read moreRead less
Improving Health and Quality of Life with Improved Nutrition in Residential Care Establishments. Inadequate nutrition is a serious issue in residential care establishments. Poor intake of vitamins and minerals is associated with impaired healing, reduced immune function, and reduction in physical and mental capacity. Lack of food choice and access to suitable nutrient-dense foods all contribute to inadequate energy and protein, leading to weight loss and malnutrition. Our industry partners will ....Improving Health and Quality of Life with Improved Nutrition in Residential Care Establishments. Inadequate nutrition is a serious issue in residential care establishments. Poor intake of vitamins and minerals is associated with impaired healing, reduced immune function, and reduction in physical and mental capacity. Lack of food choice and access to suitable nutrient-dense foods all contribute to inadequate energy and protein, leading to weight loss and malnutrition. Our industry partners will work with us to enhance the nutrient density of suitable foods. We will establish the efficacy of foods and supplements and develop strategies to implement a sustainable nutrition-enhancing program that can be introduced to improve health in residential care establishments throughout Australia.Read moreRead less
Preventing Adverse Events in Hospitals. Our research will construct strategies and tools for preventing hospital adverse events and should develop knowledge and expertise about reducing care complications in high risk patients.This research has collaborating partners which are hospitals in Victoria, South Australia and Queensland. These form part of the preventative healthcare network with implications for the nation's social and economic fabric through their role in reducing morbidity, mortali ....Preventing Adverse Events in Hospitals. Our research will construct strategies and tools for preventing hospital adverse events and should develop knowledge and expertise about reducing care complications in high risk patients.This research has collaborating partners which are hospitals in Victoria, South Australia and Queensland. These form part of the preventative healthcare network with implications for the nation's social and economic fabric through their role in reducing morbidity, mortality and supporting the health of all Australians. Since acquired complications have comparable costs to the healthcare system as that of all other forms of injury combined, there will be substantial benefits to hospitals through reduced costs.Read moreRead less
Improving safety and quality: psychosocial influences of managing medicines by consumers with chronic health problems. Many Australians have multiple chronic conditions that require complex prescribed medicine regimens to control symptoms and prevent further illness. Long-term health outcomes depend on how well consumers manage their medicines. This project will contribute to the development and evaluation of a medicine self-management training package to help consumers understand and manage the ....Improving safety and quality: psychosocial influences of managing medicines by consumers with chronic health problems. Many Australians have multiple chronic conditions that require complex prescribed medicine regimens to control symptoms and prevent further illness. Long-term health outcomes depend on how well consumers manage their medicines. This project will contribute to the development and evaluation of a medicine self-management training package to help consumers understand and manage their complex medication regimens. Optimal medicine self-management improves the consumer's general wellbeing and benefits the Australian community through promoting good health and reducing health care costs.Read moreRead less
Improving mental health nurses’ retention and quality of nursing practice. This project aims to improve mental health nurses’ resilience, retention and quality of practice through implementation of a resilience-building program. There is a critical national shortage of nurses in mental health, and attrition of the mental health nursing workforce is due in large part to workplace stressors. As a world-first in the field, the study will compare outcomes for mental health nurses who participate in ....Improving mental health nurses’ retention and quality of nursing practice. This project aims to improve mental health nurses’ resilience, retention and quality of practice through implementation of a resilience-building program. There is a critical national shortage of nurses in mental health, and attrition of the mental health nursing workforce is due in large part to workplace stressors. As a world-first in the field, the study will compare outcomes for mental health nurses who participate in the resilience program with a group of nurses who do not. Extending on a successful pilot, we expect the outcomes to be improved nurse resilience, turnover intention, and quality of nursing practice, and reduced negative psychological impacts of workplace stress. Read moreRead less
Patient and nurse outcomes and the cost of nurses' turnover in Australian hospitals. An adequate supply of nurses is fundamental to all of the National Health Priority disease areas where quality care cannot be delivered without an adequate number of motivated nurses. Designing cost-effective methods of retaining nurses requires understanding reasons why they leave the workforce and the impact this has on patient care and system costs. The findings will assist policy makers and workforce planner ....Patient and nurse outcomes and the cost of nurses' turnover in Australian hospitals. An adequate supply of nurses is fundamental to all of the National Health Priority disease areas where quality care cannot be delivered without an adequate number of motivated nurses. Designing cost-effective methods of retaining nurses requires understanding reasons why they leave the workforce and the impact this has on patient care and system costs. The findings will assist policy makers and workforce planners at both local and national levels, to design strategies to effectively recruit and retain nurses as demands for health care and market competition for staff both increase.Read moreRead less
Assessing risk in aged mental health care. This study will explore practices and developments in relation to the assessment of risk in aged persons mental health from the perspective of multiple stakeholders. The aims are to gain a thorough understanding of existing practices with a view to developing and evaluating a comprehensive risk assessment model. The outcomes will enhance the provision of mental health services within aged mental health services.
Enhancing moral care and quality of life in people with dementia. This research explores largely unknown quality of life experiences of persons living with dementia in residential aged care, and therefore factors that may promote well being, longevity, meaning, family and social coherence. The research will result in new knowledge for a model of care that is truly person-centred and will inform health, ageing and education policy, as well as an enlarged and clearer role function for caregivers. ....Enhancing moral care and quality of life in people with dementia. This research explores largely unknown quality of life experiences of persons living with dementia in residential aged care, and therefore factors that may promote well being, longevity, meaning, family and social coherence. The research will result in new knowledge for a model of care that is truly person-centred and will inform health, ageing and education policy, as well as an enlarged and clearer role function for caregivers. The solution focused model of dementia care is likely to also have positive effects on staff satisfaction and result in improved recruitment and retention. Read moreRead less