Out-of-hospital cardiac arrest is fatal without immediate resuscitation. Paramedic competency in resuscitation has been shown to influence cardiac arrest survival. Through my doctoral research I aim to investigate: how paramedic exposure to cardiac arrest can influence patient survival; the practices emergency medical services currently use to develop and maintain paramedic competency in resuscitation; and the confidence and perceived competency of paramedics responding to cardiac arrests.
Reduction Of Oxygen After Cardiac Arrest: The EXACT Trial
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,891,021.00
Summary
We aim to conduct a Phase 3 multi-centre, randomised, controlled trial to determine whether reducing oxygen administration to target a normal level as soon as possible following successful resuscitation from out-of-hospital cardiac arrest, compared to current practice of maintaining 100% oxygen, improves patient survival at hospital discharge.
Centre Of Research Excellence In Prehospital Emergency Care
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$2,499,626.00
Summary
The Prehospital Emergency Care - Centre for Research Excellence (PEC-CRE) will build capacity in prehospital research in Australia through the conduct of collaborative research projects between academic researchers, clinicians and ambulance service providers. The overarching goal of the PEC-CRE will be to strengthen the evidence base underpinning prehospital emergency care policy and practice, to ensure that ambulance patients receive ‘the right care, in the right place, at the right time’.
A Randomised Control Trial Evaluating Outcomes Of An Emergency Nurse Practitioner Service.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$83,149.00
Summary
This proposed research will provide much needed evidence on this reform model. Health services research struggles to establish an inquiry context that is flexible to study service-level interventions using the gold standard of a randomised controlled trail (RCT). This proposed research will be conducted in a health service environment with a stable E-NP service innovation and capacity to randomise patient participants.
The RINSE Trial: The Rapid Infusion Of Cold Normal SalinE By Paramedics During CPR
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$708,241.00
Summary
Sudden cardiac arrest is a common event in the community. Therapeutic hypothermia decreases the brain injury caused by the cardiac arrest and is currently used in the hospital after successful resuscitation. However, there may be better outcomes if the brain is cooled by paramedics during resuscitation. We will compare survival rates for those patients cooled early by paramedics using an infusion of ice-saline during cardiac arrest with those patients who are later cooled by the hospital.
Early Diagnosis And Management Of Vestibular Neuritis.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$174,107.00
Summary
Acute Vestibular Neuritis is a common and self-limiting cause of disabling vertigo lasting >24 hours. Posterior Circulation Stroke is a less common but life-threatening disorder that presents with the same symptoms. These two disorders are separable by three key examination findings: the Head Impulse, Nystagmus, Tests of Skew ("HINTS). This fellowship will implement effective separation of the common harmless cause of vertigo from life-threatening strokes and ensure early treatment of Neuriti ....Acute Vestibular Neuritis is a common and self-limiting cause of disabling vertigo lasting >24 hours. Posterior Circulation Stroke is a less common but life-threatening disorder that presents with the same symptoms. These two disorders are separable by three key examination findings: the Head Impulse, Nystagmus, Tests of Skew ("HINTS). This fellowship will implement effective separation of the common harmless cause of vertigo from life-threatening strokes and ensure early treatment of Neuritis with steroids and home rehabilitation.Read moreRead less
Blood And Blood Product Transfusion In Trauma Resuscitation
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$98,431.00
Summary
Blood is an exceedingly scarce and expensive resource. Massive transfusions place enormous strains on blood banks. There is little consensus and a paucity of evidence on transfusion practice in major trauma. Trauma patients account for a significant proportion of all patients who receive transfusions. This project will assist with the development of more uniform guidelines for transfusion of blood products in major trauma patients based on the best evidence available and current practice.
A Randomised Trial Of A Carer End Of Life Planning Intervention (CELPI) In People Dying With Dementia
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,486,232.00
Summary
Dementia is the second highest cause of death in Australia. Although palliative care helps individuals avoid suffering and futile interventions at the end of life, only 6% of people that die of dementia receive such care. Many older people with dementia attend an ED in their final year of life. In CELPI we will trial using that opportunity of an ED visit as the trigger to implement a triad of carer education, access to palliative care and a formal planning process for participants.