Research projects
Below is a list of the current trauma research being conducted or supported by the NSW Institute of Trauma and Injury Management (ITIM). For previous research projects, see the trauma research archive page.
Multiple organ failure
Title: The Epidemiology of Post-injury Multiple Organ Failure in NSW
Year: 2016
Aim: This epidemiological study will prospectively collect data on multi-organ failure, a major cause of mortality, across the state.
Support sources: Funded and supported by ITIM (in-kind research support).
Current status: Data analysis.
Contacts:
- Prof Zsolt Balogh, Hunter New England LHD, Zsolt.Balogh@hnehealth.nsw.gov.au
- Dr Pooria Sarrami, ITIM Research Fellow, pooria.sarrami@health.nsw.gov.au
Trauma Outcomes Registry and Quality Evaluation
Title: NSW Trauma Outcomes Registry and Quality Evaluation (TORQUE) - A state-wide clinical quality outcomes registry for trauma patients in New South Wales.
Year: 2020
Aim: This is a continuing program. For further information, please see here.
Current status: Pilot of trauma patient reported measures.
Contacts:
- Dr Michael Dinh, ITIM Clinical Director, michael.dinh@sydney.edu.au
- Dr Pooria Sarrami, ITIM Research Fellow, pooria.sarrami@health.nsw.gov.au
Trauma and burns in Indigenous children
Title: Understanding trauma and burn patient transfer processes, patient experiences and models of care for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children in emergency departments in New South Wales.
Year: 2017
Aim: This study aims to understand serious injury and burn patient transfer processes, patient experiences and models of care for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children in emergency departments in New South Wales.
Support sources: NSW ITIM provided financial support
Current status: Data collection and analysis delayed
Contacts:
- Dr Kate Hunter, Senior Research Fellow, the George Institute for Global Health, khunter@georgeinstitute.org.au
- Dr Pooria Sarrami, ITIM Research Fellow, pooria.sarrami@health.nsw.gov.au
Impact of comorbidities on trauma outcomes
Title: Impact of medical and mental health comorbidities on hospital outcomes and trends in major trauma patients: a state-wide data-linkage study from New South Wales (NSW), Australia
Year: 2018
Aim: This study aims to better understand the patterns and trends in these comorbidities and their association with length of stay, re-admission rates, hospital costs and mortality in a group of patients admitted after severe injury in New South Wales (NSW) Australia.
Support sources: The study is led by NSW ITIM
Current status: Some sub-studies completed; other work ongoing
Contacts:
- Dr Michael Dinh, ITIM Clinical Director, michael.dinh@sydney.edu.au
- Dr Pooria Sarrami, ITIM Research Fellow, pooria.sarrami@health.nsw.gov.au
Hip fracture care
Title: Using linked data to evaluate and improve hip fracture care
Year: 2018
Aim: To measure longer-term outcomes for hip fracture (HF) patients at the state, hospital peer group, local health district and hospital level (de-identified).
Support sources: NSW ACI provided financial support and NSW ITIM provided in-kind support
Current status: Completed with two papers published
Contacts:
- Dr Lara Harvey, Senior Postdoctoral Fellow, NeuRA, l.harvey@neura.edu.au
Drowning
Title: Description and prediction of outcome of drowning patients in New South Wales (NSW)
Year: 2018
Aim: This study aims to explore the outcome of patients who are admitted to hospitals for drowning in NSW, and also investigate prediction of patients’ outcome based on accessible data such as demographic information, vital signs on arrival to hospital and length of transfer.
Support sources: NSW ITIM is leading the project and providing financial and in-kind support
Current status: Data analysis
Contacts:
- Dr Michael Dinh, ITIM Clinical Director, michael.dinh@sydney.edu.au
- Dr Pooria Sarrami, ITIM Research Fellow, pooria.sarrami@health.nsw.gov.au
Splenic injuries in children and young people
Title: A survey of surgeons and trauma nurses in NSW regarding the management of blunt splenic injury in children and young people aged 0-25
Year: 2018
Aim: To determine the current practice patterns and attitudes of adult and paediatric surgeons to management of blunt splenic injury in children and young adults age 0-25 across NSW.
Support sources: NSW ITIM is providing in-kind support
Current status: Completed, pending publication
Contacts:
- Dr Susan Adams, senior staff specialist, Sydney Children’s Hospital, susan.adams@unsw.edu.au
Association of age and splenic injury management
Title: Is the choice of treatment for blunt splenic injury associated with patients’ age? A retrospective data analysis of trauma patients in New South Wales
Year: 2018
Aim: Examine the management of blunt splenic injury in NSW.
Support sources: NSW ITIM is providing data and in-kind support
Current status: Completed, pending publication
Contacts:
- Dr Susan Adams, senior staff specialist, Sydney Children’s Hospital, susan.adams@unsw.edu.au
- Dr Pooria Sarrami, ITIM Research Fellow, pooria.sarrami@health.nsw.gov.au
Paediatric trauma transfers
Title: Exploration of transfer practices of paediatric trauma patients 2010-2015
Year: 2018
Aim: Data from the NSW Trauma Registry will be used to examine the transfer of paediatric trauma patients across the NSW trauma system to determine the variation in rates of bypass between major trauma services catchments in NSW.
Support sources: NSW ITIM is providing data and in-kind support
Current status: Completed, pending publication.
Contacts:
- Dr Pooria Sarrami, ITIM Research Fellow, pooria.sarrami@health.nsw.gov.au