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BRISBANE DIAMANTINA HEALTH PARTNERSBrisbane Diamantina Health Partners (BDHP) brings together leading universities,research institutions and healthcare providers focusing on the underpinningof research, education and collaboration for better clinical care and healthoutcomes.Established in 2014, with the aim to build on Queensland’s strong position as aglobal leader in biomedical research and deliver better outcomes to our patients.The BDHP members are Metro North Hospital and Health Service, Metro SouthHospital and Health Service, Children’s Health Queensland Hospital and HealthService, Mater Misericordiae Ltd, The University of Queensland, QueenslandUniversity of Technology, the Translational Research Institute, the QIMR BerghoferMedical Research Institute, Brisbane South PHN and the Queensland Departmentof Health. In addition, the Southern Queensland Centre of Excellence in Aboriginaland Torres Strait Islander and CSIRO e-Heath Research Centre are collaborators.Ms Areti GavrilidisGeneral ManagerBrisbane Diamantina Health PartnersThe BDHP had a number of achievements in 2017, outlined below:BDHP was recognised as a national leader in the provision of research-basedhealthcare by the National Health and Medical Research Council as an AdvancedHealth Research and Translation Centre (AHRTC). There are currently sevenAHRTCs and two Centres for Innovation in Regional Health across Australia. BDHPis the only AHRTC in Queensland.The AHRTCs are recognised as leading collaborative centres that excel in healthand medical research, translation of evidence into patient care and demonstratestrong research and translation focus in the education of health professionals, atan international level.As an AHRTC, BDHP works collaboratively with the other AHRTCs and CIRHs on anumber of national initiatives.The work of the BDHP Themes progressed in 2017, building on and leveraging the clinical and research excellence acrossBDHP in nine key clinical areas to facilitate collaborative research and practice, for better health outcomes. The Themesheld ongoing meetings and forums bringing together clinicians and researchers. The Themes areas are:Ageing Evidence and innovation in clinical careImmunity, inflammation, infectionBrain and mental healthMaternal and child health CancerSkin and Skin Cancer Chronic diseaseTrauma, critical care and recoveryBDHP continues to develop streamlined systems and shared approaches across the Partners, through a number of WorkingGroups. The cataloguing and sharing of expertise to support biobanks across BDHP was achieved in 2017 through theBiobanking Working Group (supported by BDHP and Queensland Health). The framework, policies and standard operatingprocedures of the Princess Alexandra Hospital Centres for Health Research (Metro South Health) were shared andcontributed to the BDHP’s governance framework and principles for adoption across the BDHP biobanks.The Human Research Ethics and Governance Working Group continued to progress the BDHP Research Passport Agreementto streamline and harmonise the research ethics and governance approvals with a formal evaluation to be undertaken in2018.Further information about BDHP is available on the BDHP website -http://www.brisbanediamantina.org.auRBWH RESEARCH REPORT 20177

GRIFFITH UNIVERSIT YThe Menzies Health Institute Queensland (MenziesHIQ) at Griffith Universityand the Royal Brisbane Women’s Hospital (RBWH) have continued to maintaina strong working relationship into 2017. Innovative clinical research continuesto form the foundation of this partnership with clinical trials and joint staffappointments in place to support improvements in patient care across thehospital.The Alliance for Vascular Access Teaching And Research (AVATAR) group wasfounded on the partnership between MenziesHIQ and RBWH’s Nursing andMidwifery Research Centre. AVATAR continues to conduct world leading researchimproving access to veins and arteries for medical treatment. In 2017 thisincluded completion of an NHMRC funded, multi-centre, randomised controlledtrial (RCT) in 2941 patients to test infection prevention strategies acrosshospital specialties. Another large, NHMRC funded, multi-centre trial is ongoinginto optimal dressings for vascular catheters in cancer patients.Prof Suzanne ChambersDirectorMenzies Health InstituteThis alliance has resulted in over 11 million in research funding, 200 publications including many large randomised controlled trials, 20 researcherstrained at Honours, Masters or PhD level, and numerous clinical nurses anddoctors participating in the research. This work is referenced in global clinicalpractice guidelines such as those of the US Centers for Disease Control andPrevention, the UK’s NHS Infection Prevention and Control Guidelines and theinternational Standards for Infusion Therapy.In 2017, a joint Research Fellow in Vascular Access position was createdbetween RBWH and Griffith University’s School of Nursing and Midwifery,with Nicole Marsh appointed into the position and leading numerous clinical,education and research collaborations.RBWH and MenziesHIQ continue to jointly support the appointment of ProfessorJenny Paratz as a Principal Research Fellow. Professor Paratz is an internationallyrenowned researcher in intensive care and burns research.Other 2017 collaborations between MenziesHIQ and RBWH’s Nursing andMidwifery Research Centre include a completed, NHMRC funded, trial of apressure injury prevention package and a current, NHMRC funded, multi-centertrial evaluating the prophylactic use of negative pressure wound therapy toprevent surgical site infection. Griffith University’s MenziesHIQ will continueto collaborate with the RBWH to generate translatable research outcomes thatimprove health and wellbeing for patients and communities alike.8RBWH RESEARCH REPORT 2017

PATHOLOGY QUEENSLANDPathology Queensland has recently established a Research Office – with theappointment of Professor Sunil Lakhani as Executive Director Research and DrIrma Gresshoff as Principal Research Officer.The current work of the office revolves around establishing the baseline ofresearch activity in PQ, reviewing governance and developing a strategic plan.Collaborative initiatives within PQ and its partners include (but are not limited to):Anatomical Pathology:Breast Cancer (Sunil Lakhani) project in collaboration with RBWH Breast Surgery,Neurosurgery, Oncology and Radiology. The work is supported by NHMRC Programand Project grants to UQ/QIMR collaborative. A pilot clinical trial to test a PETdrug conjugate uptake in Brain Metastases is about to begin at The HerstonImaging Research Facility (HIRF).Lung cancer (Mahendra Singh & Laxmi Nandkumar with Dr David Fieldingand Peter Simpson) project in UQCCR and QIMR to develop next generationsequencing analysis of cytology smears from endoscopic aspirates.Prof Sunil LakhaniExecutive Director ResearchPathology QueenslandProstate Cancer (Diane Payton & Jo Perry-Keene with Frank Gardiner) projectinvestigating laproscopic surgery and biomarker discovery for early detection.Chemical Pathology:The R&D Unit (Jacobus Ungerer) supports laboratory and clinical research to improve patient care and outcomes.Activities include diagnostic laboratory testing, data acquisition, and development of new tests.Areas of collaboration include emergency medicine and testing of troponin for myocardial infarction diagnosis,intensive care and therapeutic drug monitoring of antibiotics in sepsis, and the use of new biomarkers in renal disease,gastroenterology and endocrinology. The work has resulted in peer-reviewed publications and changes to clinical practice.Microbiology:The Microbiology group (Graeme Nimmo and colleagues) participate in the Australian Group on Antimicrobial Resistancesurveillance programs for Staphylococcus aureus, Enterococcus and gram-negative bacteraemia – these are a majorcomponent of Australia’s response to antimicrobial resistance;(http://www.agargroup.org/). Prof Nimmo is a member of the editorial boards of Pathology, the European Journal of ClinicalMicrobiology and Infectious Disease and the Global Journal of Antimicrobial Resistance and is chief investigator in theCentre of Research Excellence in Reducing Healthcare Associated Infections.Haematology:The Pathology Qld Transfusion Haematology department (John Rowell and colleagues) is assisting with two studies (FEISTY,PROPHICCY) that measure coagulation status using viscoelastic haemostatic assays, which are performed on ROTEMmachines. Further investigations involving the application of ROTEM technology in pregnancy and preclampsia and prehospital trauma are ongoing. ROTEM testing has been provided by the transfusion laboratory (Blood Bank) at RBWH sinceJune 2014. The unit is also participating in a national Massive Transfusion Registry.RBWH RESEARCH REPORT 20179

QIMR BERGHOFERAt QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute we find ourselves very fortunateto be located just next door to the RBWH. In our discussions with researchersand visitors we point out that this proximity and the combination of a mostsignificant hospital and a very large medical research provides an instantpositive impact.Although we have our own research to attend to, we are also deeply engaged indevelopment of the Herston Precinct. This is a frequent topic at joint meetingswith MNHHS, UQ, QUT and ourselves; the four significant entities located in thisarea.The expansion of the Herston Quarter will of course add to the possibilitiesin the health related sector in this area. I increasingly refer to the possibilityof Herston becoming the new Parkville as all of the components required forthis are in place and the relationships between the partners are strengtheningannually.A particular point of collaboration is at the Herston Imaging Research Facility(HIRF). This has been formed based on an alliance between the four partnersand is increasing steadily in its output. The collective skills of the RBWH teamsas the operators and the researchers from here and elsewhere has meant thatreally cutting edge research on volunteers, and potentially on patients, is beingperformed.Prof Frank GannonDirector and Chief Executive OfficerQIMR Berghofer Medical ResearchInstituteWe add to the precinct also through Q-Pharm, our clinical trials company.This has undergone a phase of reorganization in the past year under theleadership of Dr. Tufail Syed and is in a position to provide an increased rangeof highly professional clinical trial services. The record of Q-Pharm over the past15 years has been impeccable and they canbe good partners for all who require support in clinical trials at the hospital.Another interaction occurs through our Statistic group. This also has beenreorganized in the past year under the leadership of Dr. Gunter Hartel. Havingcome from a key position in CSL, he is very well placed to add the mostsophisticated statistical analysis as an offering to clinicians at the hospital.All of the above examples are in addition to our strong links via our researchersmany of whom have shared appointments with the hospital. Our commitmentto the future of health through research is consolidated year on year and ourrelevance to the clinicians therefore grows.We look back and congratulate you on a wonderful year of achievements andlook forward to adding to these in the future.10RBWH RESEARCH REPORT 2017

QUEENSLAND UNIVERSIT Y OF TECHNOLOGYThe productive QUT and RBWH partnership continued in 2017 with QUT’sactivities conducted through the Faculty of Health, Science and EngineeringFaculty, Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation (IHBI), Australian Centrefor Health Law Research and Brisbane Diamantina Health Partners (BDHP).Plans for the Herston Biofabrication Institute progressed in preparation for the2018 opening. This exciting collaboration between Metro North Hospital andHealth Service and QUT will bring together researchers from multiple disciplinesto advance knowledge and technology in 3D scanning, modelling and printingof bone, cartilage and other human tissue. This will provide innovative,personalised and automated treatment that we hope will improve recovery,rehabilitation and quality of life.Prof Ross YoungExecutive DeanFaculty of Health QUTAt the Herston Imaging Research Facility (HIRF) our clinicians and researchersare working to improve the diagnosis and treatment of cancers, psychologicaldisorders, cardiovascular disease, neurological disease and injury. A clinicaland preclinical molecular imaging research program to assess new radiotracersfor PET studies has commenced with other projects funded via RBWH seedgrants in development. Other important diagnostic research between QUTBiomedical Sciences and RBWH clinical researchers is developing salivarybiomarkers for head and neck cancers. This collaboration and research capacitysix papers and the awarding of funding from the Cancer Australia Priority-drivenCollaborative Cancer Research Scheme and the Garnett Passe and RodneyWilliams Memorial Foundation – Conjoint Grant Scheme.RBWH renewed its commitment as a partner with UQ and QUT to the AustralianCentre for Health Services Innovation (AusHSI) in 2017. AusHSI supported andadvised clinician researchers on health services research projects includinga review of health service purchasing models, and supporting the Long StaySEED Project by evaluating outcomes of the introduction of advanced socialworker services to reduce length of stay and better meet the needs of long staypatients. This partnership will extend to professional development to buildstronger implementation science and research capacity in 2018.QUT School of Nursing and RBWH collaborations led to significant outcomes.The Kidney Supportive Care Program received an Australian Council of HealthCare Standards Quality Improvement Award for Clinical Excellence and PatientSafety, and the Metro North Health Services and Implementation ResearchAward. QUT and RBWH investigators were awarded an NHMRC PartnershipGrant for the ENCORE Trial which provides the first rigorous evaluation ofstrengthening nurse surveillance to improve patient and organisationaloutcomes, including studies of clinical and cost effectiveness. The NHMRCEnd-of-Life Care Centre of Research Excellence published high impact outputs inBMC Cancer and BMC Medicine and held a national workshop on innovation inprimary care. The NHMRC Chronic Kidney Disease Centre of Research Excellence– led by UQ with MNHHS, QUT and other partners – published researchoutcomes in BMC Nephrology and Journal of Advanced Nursing. The QueenslandCollaborative for Cancer Survivorship was established with researchers fromQUT, RBWH and BDHP leading a program to address the needs of Australiansliving with and beyond a diagnosis of cancer. Outputs included articles inSupportive Care in Cancer and Journal of Palliative Medicine.RBWH RESEARCH REPORT 201711

QUT professorial units at RBWH continued to facilitate collaborative clinical,practical and translational nursing research. The Intensive Care NursingProfessorial Unit is leading a pilot study on methods to reduce ICU medicaldevice-related injuries. Our Cancer Nursing Professorial Unit provided academicleadership to over 250 cancer nurses and facilitated new joint appointments.The Stroke Nursing Professorial Unit published in BMC Geriatrics andcommenced a study investigating pathways to and through rehabilitation instroke patients. New partnerships in mental health nursing include our jointresearcher investigating the use of technology to assist within mental healthwards, and publishing outputs in Journal of Hospital Medicine and ClinicalSimulation in Nursing. The Renal Nursing Professorial Unit continued their highquality research in end stage kidney disease.2017 publications demonstrated sustained engagement between academicstaff, clinicians and students in wound care, nursing practice, renal health,nutrition, cardiovascular disease, emergency medicine, reproductive health,cancer and neurophysiology. New grants in the areas of brain trauma, cancertreatment and survivorship, nursing practice, wound care, stroke therapy anddiagnostic genomics will ensure that QUT and RBWH’s valued partnershipcontinues to benefit our organisations, patients and community.12RBWH RESEARCH REPORT 2017

THE UNIVERSIT Y OF QUEENSLANDThe two health-focused Faculties at UQ, Health and Behavioural Sciences(HaBS) and Medicine, have multiple active points of engagement with RBWHon the Herston campus, involving collaboration across research, teaching andclinical service delivery.Prof Elizabeth EakinAssociate Dean (Research),Faculty of MedicineThe University of QueenslandBoth Faculties have a strong presence on the Herston campus. This includesthe School of Dentistry, the School of Clinical Medicine, RBWH Clinical Unit, UQCentre for Clinical Research (CCR) and the School of Public Health, as well as anumber of UQ-RBWH collaborative research centres. These include the Burns,Trauma and Critical Care Research Centre (BTCCRC), directed by Professor JeffreyLipman; the Perinatal Resea

Published by the State of Queensland (Metro North Hospital and Health Service), April 2018 . You are free to copy, communicate and adapt the work, as long as you attribute the State of Queensland (Metro North Hospital and Health Service). For more information contact: Email: merrilyn.banks@health.qld.gov.au . Social Work .