- Research Snapshot 2023
- Foreword
- A message from the RBWH Foundation
- A message from The Common Good
- Research stories
- Pre-hospital pathway improving heart attack outcomes
- Caboolture diabetic research attracting global attention
- Improving safety of kidney biopsies at the RBWH
- Breakthrough for diabetes foot ulcer sufferers
- Using artificial intelligence for polyp detection in colonoscopy
- Kids Pain Collaborative at Redcliffe Hospital
- Virtual reality and education for low back pain
- Gestational diabetes screening could be easier thanks to COVID
- Whole Genome Sequencing pilot helps patients and families
- QUT Metro North Nursing and Midwifery Academy
- Vertigo management key tool to preventing falls in older patients
- Community dysphagia research highlights telehealth importance
- RADAR RR grant to provide hospital level care at home
- Does antibiotic delivery method improve health outcomes?
- Radiation shield provides greater protection to staff
- Using AI to identify aspiration in children with feeding disorders
- New online platform helping determine causes of delirium
- Transforming consumer and community involvement in research
- HBI engineers modelling patient-focussed care
- Improving pressure injury management in palliative care
- Stoma study shows importance of exercise to avoid complications
- Improving the menopause journey for women in the workplace
- Research study highlights complexities of ICU environment
- More growth in nursing research at Redcliffe
- The Queensland Aphasia Research Centre recognised
Caboolture Hospital diabetic research attracting global attention
A project trial started at Caboolture Hospital to define the best choice of fluid therapy for patients with severe diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) is now attracting global attention.

Dr Mahesh Ramanan is investigating whether alternative fluids provide better outcomes for DKA patients.
Dr Mahesh Ramanan, an Intensive Care Unit (ICU) Staff Specialist at Caboolture and The Prince Charles Hospitals, started researching the topic in 2018 with an early pilot clinical trial showing promising early results. He was able to use the pilot results to design a large national Phase 3 trial, the BEST-DKA trial.
Now, an Australian Government Medical Research Future Fund (MRFF) Clinical Trials Activity Grant, administered by renowned international global research group The George Institute, has provided $1.65 million for Dr Ramanan to conduct the BEST-DKA trial and continue investigations into whether alternative fluids provide better outcomes for DKA patients.
BEST-DKA has also received funding from the Emergency Medicine Foundation, Diabetes Australia, and Baxter Pharmaceuticals.
Diabetic ketoacidosis is a life-threatening complication of diabetes in which the body produces excess blood acids known as ketones. It occurs when there is not enough insulin in the body and can be triggered by infection or other illness. It can occur in any type of diabetes – including type one, two and gestational diabetes.
The incidence is rising in Australia, particularly in metropolitan and rural or regional hospitals – approximately 3,000 people with the condition are admitted to Australian ICUs each year, according to data stored at the Australia and New Zealand Intensive Care Society registries.
Fluid therapy is a vital component of the treatment of DKA, but which fluid provides the best outcomes is unknown.
Saline is widely recommended in national and international guidelines despite a lack of high-quality evidence to support its use. It can lead to complications associated with worse outcomes in critically ill patients.
Dr Ramanan has identified an alternative fluid, Plasma-Lyte 148, a balanced salt solution which more closely matches the biochemistry of human blood and has theoretical advantages over saline. He will work with the Critical Care Division at The George Institute and other clinical researchers around Australia to evaluate whether Plasma-Lyte 148 increases days alive and out of hospital for patients with DKA.
Dr Ramanan hopes the results will provide definitive guidance on the best choice of fluid therapy for patient care and reduce healthcare costs.
Dr Mahesh Ramanan, an Intensive Care Unit (ICU) Staff Specialist at Caboolture and The Prince Charles Hospitals, started researching the topic in 2018 with an early pilot clinical trial showing promising early results. He was able to use the pilot results to design a large national Phase 3 trial, the BEST-DKA trial.
Now, an Australian Government Medical Research Future Fund (MRFF) Clinical Trials Activity Grant, administered by renowned international global research group The George Institute, has provided $1.65 million for Dr Ramanan to conduct the BEST-DKA trial and continue investigations into whether alternative fluids provide better outcomes for DKA patients.
BEST-DKA has also received funding from the Emergency Medicine Foundation, Diabetes Australia, and Baxter Pharmaceuticals.
Diabetic ketoacidosis is a life-threatening complication of diabetes in which the body produces excess blood acids known as ketones. It occurs when there is not enough insulin in the body and can be triggered by infection or other illness. It can occur in any type of diabetes – including type one, two and gestational diabetes.
The incidence is rising in Australia, particularly in metropolitan and rural or regional hospitals – approximately 3,000 people with the condition are admitted to Australian ICUs each year, according to data stored at the Australia and New Zealand Intensive Care Society registries.
Fluid therapy is a vital component of the treatment of DKA, but which fluid provides the best outcomes is unknown.
Saline is widely recommended in national and international guidelines despite a lack of high-quality evidence to support its use. It can lead to complications associated with worse outcomes in critically ill patients.
Dr Ramanan has identified an alternative fluid, Plasma-Lyte 148, a balanced salt solution which more closely matches the biochemistry of human blood and has theoretical advantages over saline. He will work with the Critical Care Division at The George Institute and other clinical researchers around Australia to evaluate whether Plasma-Lyte 148 increases days alive and out of hospital for patients with DKA.
Dr Ramanan hopes the results will provide definitive guidance on the best choice of fluid therapy for patient care and reduce healthcare costs.