RBWH Foundation grants support extraordinary projects to improve patient outcomes at RBWH and STARS

In July, RBWH Foundation awarded their second round of grant for 2024. The successful projects reflect the depth of innovative and patient-centred work occurring across the Herston Health Precinct.

From a rapid diagnosis test for infections in ICU patients to virtual reality for persistent low back pain and patient dignity clothing programs, all of the 13 funded projects will enhance the lives of patients today and into the future.

In announcing the grants, RBWH Foundation CEO Simone Garske paid tribute to the passion and dedication of clinicians dedicated to improving patient outcomes at STARS and RBWH.

Ms Garske also applauded the extraordinary generosity of supporters which recently helped RBWH Foundation Giving Day raise an historic $750,000.

“The RBWH Foundation knows how difficult times are for so many people and on Giving Day, when I spoke to members of our community who weren’t in a position to give, they still wanted to express their goodwill and gratitude to the Foundation and Hospital staff,” said Ms Garske.

The recipients of the RBWH Foundation Grant Round 2 are:

Research

Dr Karen Davies, HeIDI and STARS – Digital Evaluation and Implementation of the Medication Administration Evaluation and Feedback Tool (MAEFT) at STARS. Observing nurses’ use of the electronic medication system to improve safety and provide feedback on best practice at STARS.

Associate Professor Krispin Hajkowicz, HeIDI and RBWH – Right First Time – Ultra-Rapid Infection Diagnosis for Critically Ill Patients in RBWH ICU. Testing a new ultra-fast genetic test to diagnose infections within 8 hours, accelerating treatment and reducing unnecessary antibiotic use in ICU.

Dr Emma Seed, Women’s and Newborn Services, RBWH – OptiMising induction of labour care. Low-dose, oral misoprostol versus standard care [OptiMise]: A feasibility study. Research to investigate if low doses of a new drug can improve and make childbirth better and safer for mother and baby amid rising rates of labour induction and caesarean sections.

Gill Noreiks, Women’s and Newborn Services, RBWH – Humidification management options for infants delivered extremely premature: when and why? A randomised controlled trial. A comparison of three methods of humidification cessation in incubators to determine the best approach to increase care for premature babies.

Associate Professor Helen Healy, Kidney Health Service, RBWH – PROgnostic MicroRNA biomarkers for Acute Kidney Injury progression (PROM-AKI). Developing a simple urine test to reduce acute kidney injury and predict recovery outcomes in patients with sudden kidney problems.

Dr Michelle Cottrell, Physiotherapy, RBWH – Codesigning multi-disciplinary musculoskeletal care to better match patients’ needs and preferences. Redesigning non-surgical care to achieve greater outcomes for patients with bone and muscle issues.

Dr Peter Window, Physiotherapy, RBWH – Cognitive-behavioural therapy-informed virtual reality in persistent low back pain: a feasibility randomised controlled trial. Testing the effectiveness of a virtual reality program combined with pain education and mindfulness to reduce pain and fear of movement.

Patient Care

Brooke Wadsworth, Physiotherapy, STARS – Dignity at STARS clothing program: This program provides STARS emergency patients suitable day clothes and toiletries to maintain their dignity and enhance rehabilitation participation.

Angela O’Malia, Social Work, RBWH – “Discharge with Dignity”: Supporting the dignity and recovery of patients at the RBWH Emergency Department affected by sexual assault, domestic violence, and homelessness, through the provision of appropriate clothing.

Catherine Ryan, Safety and Quality, RBWH – ‘What Matters to You?’: Interdisciplinary Teams Co-Creating Personalised Goals of Care. Training RBWH staff to ask patients ‘What Matters to You’ and including their personalised goals in their care plan to improve patient experiences and quality care.

Karen Lee-Steere, Internal Medicine and Aged Care, RBWH – Patient Centred Therapy Dogs: A Joint RBWH and Mental Health Funding Application supported by RBWH Patient Friendly Working Group. An expansion of the Therapy Dogs Program to benefit over 10,000 patients, caregivers, and staff, across over 20 wards, boosting patient wellbeing and staff morale.

Karina Charles, HeIDI and RBWH – Co-designing patient-centric solutions: revolutionising intravascular catheter care practices for patients and families at RBWH. Enhancing the comfort and wellbeing of patients with invasive care by collaborating with patients, caregivers, and clinicians to address associated challenges.

Kate Dickson, Critical Care and Clinical Support, RBWH – Supporting Access to Healthcare for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Patients. Removing financial barriers for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander outpatients to improve their access to necessary healthcare.

The RBWH Foundation grants support extraordinary opportunities for projects that improve patient care and life-saving research at Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital (RBWH), Surgical, Treatment and Rehabilitation Service (STARS), and Metro North Institutes.