The Safety And Effectiveness Of Hospital E-prescribing Systems: A Controlled Time Series Study
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$740,460.00
Summary
Prescribing errors represent a significant public health issue internationally. In the US over 770,000 people are harmed or die each year in hospitals as a result of adverse drug events. In Australia 2% of hospital patients experience harm or death due to medication errors. The risk of these errors is rising each year with the increased intensity of medical care, use of complex and potent drug regimens and the increasing age and severity of hospital patients. Electronic prescribing systems are b ....Prescribing errors represent a significant public health issue internationally. In the US over 770,000 people are harmed or die each year in hospitals as a result of adverse drug events. In Australia 2% of hospital patients experience harm or death due to medication errors. The risk of these errors is rising each year with the increased intensity of medical care, use of complex and potent drug regimens and the increasing age and severity of hospital patients. Electronic prescribing systems are believed to significantly reduce the number of errors which occur and reduce harm to patients as a result. No studies have demonstrated that these systems result in reducing prescribing errors that cause harm to patients. Alarmingly, anecdotal evidence from overseas suggests that use of electronic prescribing systems introduces new types of errors. This is consistent with a growing body of scientific research which suggests that individuals' decision-making may be significantly influenced by information generated by a computer, resulting in new types of errors. The aim of this project is to undertake a controlled time series study to assess the safety and effectiveness of two electronic prescribing systems to reduce prescribing errors in Australian hospitals. The study will compare error rates before and after the introduction of the systems. In addition, the study will be the first to focus on measuring new types of errors that may result from system use and to investigate how computer use influences clinicians' decision-making. This study will provide critical information about the effectiveness and safety of these systems which are being introduced into Australian hospitals. Unlike other medical interventions, which require stringent safety testing before use with patients, there are no minimum safety requirements for electronic prescribing systems. The data from this study is urgent in developing recommendations to ensure the safety of electronic prescribing systems for Australia.Read moreRead less
Viral Factors Involved In Flavivirus Replication And Virus-host Interactions
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$743,696.00
Summary
With our increased understanding of virus-host interactions it has become apparent that small, non-structural proteins and small RNAs of most viruses are vital for numerous, often multiple, functions in the viral life cycle. In the proposed project, we seek to gain a detailed understanding of the functions of small nonstructural protein NS2A and small abundant viral RNAs of medicaly important encephalitic flaviviruses, which have remained so far elusive and are at the cutting-edge in the researc ....With our increased understanding of virus-host interactions it has become apparent that small, non-structural proteins and small RNAs of most viruses are vital for numerous, often multiple, functions in the viral life cycle. In the proposed project, we seek to gain a detailed understanding of the functions of small nonstructural protein NS2A and small abundant viral RNAs of medicaly important encephalitic flaviviruses, which have remained so far elusive and are at the cutting-edge in the research field. We anticipate that with a better understanding of the roles of these factors in flaviviral replication and pathogenesis, novel targets for antiviral therapies and-or molecular determinants for inclusion in candidate vaccines will be identified.Read moreRead less
SERPINB2 IS AN INDUCIBLE HOST FACTOR INVOLVED IN ENHANCING HIV-1 TRANSCRIPTION AND REPLICATION
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$496,446.00
Summary
SerpinB2 is one of the most abundant proteins made at sites of inflammation. We have shown that HIV-1 infection also induces SerpinB2 and that SerpinB2 then helps the virus to replicate. In this grant we seek to understand how the virus causes this protein to be made and how this protein then increases virus replication. In the human population there are different forms of SerpinB2 and this grant seeks to determine whether these different forms affect HIV-1 replications differently. It may for i ....SerpinB2 is one of the most abundant proteins made at sites of inflammation. We have shown that HIV-1 infection also induces SerpinB2 and that SerpinB2 then helps the virus to replicate. In this grant we seek to understand how the virus causes this protein to be made and how this protein then increases virus replication. In the human population there are different forms of SerpinB2 and this grant seeks to determine whether these different forms affect HIV-1 replications differently. It may for instance be possible that an individual who has a certain form of SerpinB2 may be less susceptable to AIDS following HIV-1 infection.Read moreRead less
Immunopathogenesis Of West Nile Virus Encephalitis - Requirement For Interferon-gamma-dependent Soluble Mediators
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$250,500.00
Summary
Flaviviruses transmitted by arthropods cause considerable illness and death world-wide by their propensity to cause encephalitis. In August 1999, an outbreak of West Nile virus (WNV) encephalitis occurred in New York for the first time, indicating that these viruses are spreading beyond endemic areas. However, the mechanisms by which these viruses kill people are not at all clear. How the immune system deals with them is controlled by a complex network of interactions involving cells and soluble ....Flaviviruses transmitted by arthropods cause considerable illness and death world-wide by their propensity to cause encephalitis. In August 1999, an outbreak of West Nile virus (WNV) encephalitis occurred in New York for the first time, indicating that these viruses are spreading beyond endemic areas. However, the mechanisms by which these viruses kill people are not at all clear. How the immune system deals with them is controlled by a complex network of interactions involving cells and soluble mediators such as cytokines, chemokines, and nitric oxide, many induced or modulated by the cytokine, inteferon-gamma. Evidence suggests that these agents together influence both the types of cells that are mobilised to eradicate virus and also disease outcomes. Our hypothesis is that the host's own immune system is inadvertently responsible for encephalitis through an over-vigorous attempt to destroy the infecting virus, resulting in damage to the brain. To study WNV encephalitis, we are using a mouse model developed in this laboratory that reproduces the features of human disease. Another strain of these mice has the gene for interferon-gamma (IFN) inactivated or 'knocked out', so they cannot respond in the conventional way to virus infection. This mouse survives WNV infection significantly better than normal mice and becomes immune. Therefore we will compare cellular and soluble mediator responses of these mice during WNV infection to those of normal mice. We will also delete specific cell types making interferon-gamma in normal mice, as well as transfering such cells into knockout mice. Experiments will indicate which cell types are responsible and when particular components cause most damage. Thus, we will better understand how interferon-gamma recruits cells that mediate immune brain damage in this model. By understanding the events that lead to death in encephalitis, it may be possible to prevent or ameliorate them by means of immune intervention.Read moreRead less
Statistical Methods For Identifying Structural Variation In Tumour Genomes Using Next Generation Sequencing
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$243,458.00
Summary
New DNA sequencing technology can sequence a tumour genome affordably in 2 weeks. This re-sequencing data can be used to find small mutations and large-scale chromosomal rearrangements that together are the drivers of cancer. These may one day be used to guide cancer therapy. This project will develop new algorithms for finding mutations and apply these to discover the genetic basis of drug resistance in a model lymphoma system.
Targeting KRAS Mutations In Cancer Using A Novel SiRNA Delivery Technology
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$498,899.00
Summary
Mutations in a gene called KRAS are found in 20% of human cancers but are impossible to target with existing treatments. RNA interference is a promising new way to target genes previously considered undruggable, but there is no way to deliver the molecules required for RNA interference to tumours. We will evaluate the ability of a new nanotechnology based delivery system (antibody targeted minicells) to deliver RNA interference, thereby selectively targeting of KRAS in tumours while avoiding tox ....Mutations in a gene called KRAS are found in 20% of human cancers but are impossible to target with existing treatments. RNA interference is a promising new way to target genes previously considered undruggable, but there is no way to deliver the molecules required for RNA interference to tumours. We will evaluate the ability of a new nanotechnology based delivery system (antibody targeted minicells) to deliver RNA interference, thereby selectively targeting of KRAS in tumours while avoiding toxicity to normal tissue.Read moreRead less