Intensive Care Unit (ICU) research is focused on advancing medical knowledge and improving outcomes for critically ill patients. Conducting carefully monitored and highly regulated research trials offers a way to improve the care ICU patients receive. Eligible ICU patients are entitled to participate in research if they and/or their surrogate decision maker volunteer to do so. The involvement of patients in research trials contributes to the enhancement of future healthcare by facilitating the assessment of whether a novel treatment, intervention, or piece of equipment can positively impact patient outcomes and experiences.

Research interests and focus 

Royal Perth Hospital ICU research encompasses a wide range of topics, including sepsis, organ failure, trauma, mechanical ventilation, sedation, and monitoring techniques. It methodically evaluates ways to enhance the care and recovery of patients facing life-threatening conditions. The need to identify effective interventions, improve patient outcomes, and establish best practices in ICU medicine continue to be a driving force within the department.   Our current research areas of interest include:

• Using advanced computer programs (machine learning) to understand and compare different factors related to brain injuries in adults who have experienced moderate to severe traumatic brain injuries.
• The impact of erythropoietin alfa (EPO) compared to a placebo in critically ill patients on mechanical ventilation after traumatic injury.
• Reduction of cerebral hypoxic burden post traumatic brain injury by monitoring and treating cerebral oxygenation.
• Evaluate multiple treatment options for patients who are critically ill due to community-acquired pneumonia.
• Evaluate mortality and other key clinical outcomes in older patients receiving early sedation with Dexmedetomidine as the primary sedative agent.
• Comparing conservative oxygen therapy to liberal oxygen therapy in mechanically ventilated adults.

Example Projects 

AIMS-TBI: Artificial Intelligence-enhanced management of severe Traumatic Brain Injury
CPI and EMHS contact: Dr. Robert McNamara

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EPO-TRAUMA: A randomised controlled trial of ErythroPOietin in Trauma.
CPI: A/Professor Craig French, Australian & New Zealand Intensive Care Research Centre (ANZIC-RC)
EMHS contact: Dr Robert McNamara

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REMAP-CAP: A Randomised, Embedded, Multi-factorial, Adaptive Platform Trial for Community-Acquired Pneumonia.
CPI: Professor Steve Webb, ANZIC-RC
EMHS contact: Dr Abhi Laha