Project Scope
Patients who are admitted to hospitals are extremely sick, have high acuity levels, are frail, often older, with multiple comorbidities and are extremely vulnerable to acquiring a hospital acquired complication. Recent Australian data shows that one if every nine patients will develop a hospital acquired complication costing the Australia’s health system at least $5 billion per year (Grattan Institute, 2018). This vulnerable group of patients will be exposed to highly invasive procedures and despite the frequency of these procedures there is a paucity of research guiding the best evidence-based research practice.
Depending on the student’s background and preference, the PhD project will be in one of the following areas:
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Vascular access.
1.1 Peripheral vascular access.
1.2 Haemodialysis vascular access. -
Indwelling urinary catheter management.
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Prevention of pressure injury.
Other topics related to improving patient outcomes in an acute care setting may be considered.
At a glance
This PhD scholarship aims to improve care and patient outcomes in an acute care setting. It sits within the ECU Centre for Research in Aged Care and aligns with Australian Commission on Safety and Quality Health Service (ACSQHC) Preventing and Controlling Healthcare-Associated Infection and the Comprehensive Care Standard.The areas of focus are vascular access, pressure injury and indwelling urinary catheters. Other topics involving improving patient outcomes in an acute care setting will be considered. The student will also have opportunity to contribute to other projects within the broader context of this program of research.
Desirable skills: Experience with statistical analysis and related software (e.g., Stata, SAS, R, SPSS).