The Quality in Acute Stroke Care (QASC) Research Program team has been recognised with the 2024 Vice-Chancellor's Staff Excellence Award for High-Impact Research.
Over the last 15 years the program has delivered research that has changed clinical practice and improved outcomes for patients with stroke both in Australia and overseas.
Research indicates that patients with fever (Fe), elevated blood sugar (S) and swallowing difficulties (S) (FeSS) following a stroke experience higher rates of death and disability. The QASC Research Program has shown that the use of nurse-led FeSS Protocols in the first 72 hours of hospitalisation following stroke can reduce death and dependency. Through the team's efforts, the protocols have been implemented in hospitals throughout Australia and in at least 18 countries across the world.
Led by Project Director, Professor Sandy Middleton, the research program team also includes Simeon Dale, Professor Elizabeth McInnes, Kelly Coughlan, Dr Oyebola Fasugba, Patty Zenonos and Tara Doyle.
Professor Middleton said the team was honoured and grateful to receive the award for their high-impact research.
"For us, this recognition is not just an acknowledgment of our achievements but also serves as motivation to continue striving for excellence," Professor Middleton said.
Project Manager Simeon Dale said the most significant outcomes of the research program had been improvement in patient outcomes, strong collaboration and partnerships with national and international organisations, as well as empowering nurses to lead the way in improving care for their patients.
"Our research has demonstrated a clear pathway from evidence generation to evidence translation and implementation at a state, national and international level, improving health outcomes for patients," she said.
The continued efforts of the team to translate research findings, and to teach and engage with clinicians closely aligns with ACU's mission to pursue knowledge and improve the lives of others. Likewise, the program has promoted intellectual growth and moral purpose, not only for the research team, but also for the clinicians who are engaged in the research.
"The team's commitment to excellence reflects the project's ability to bring about positive change in clinical practice, create value and improve the lives of people in our community, and its potential to inspire further advancements in our program of research," Professor Middleton said.
The team's work continues. As part of an ongoing trial in Australia and New Zealand, they are currently testing an online learning package, in consultation with people who have lived experience of stroke.
This package will be made publicly available after trial completion and will accompany a number of innovative online FeSS Protocol resources already available on the ACU website.
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