Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ researchers have put the impacts of COVID-19 on emergency care under the microscope after securing almost $120,000 from the Emergency Medicine Foundation (EMF).
The funding will be used by research teams at the Gold Coast University Hospital to investigate the effect of COVID-19 on emergency department (ED) presentations, and the ways in which infectious diseases are treated in EDs.
Principal Investigator Professor Julia Crilly said several countries have indicated a change in the cohort of patients seen within EDs during COVID-19, with fewer presentations for non-COVID symptoms, such as chest pain.
¡°We¡¯ll evaluate the impact of COVID-19 on Queensland EDs by reviewing the number and nature of presentations, which will enable us to generate a statewide evidence-base to better understand and manage patients who require emergency care during a global pandemic,¡± Prof Crilly said.
¡°This will be a comprehensive study involving more than 15 co-investigators from across multiple hospitals including Gold Coast University Hospital and all of the Gold Coast¡¯s private Hospitals.
¡°We anticipate the results will inform future management strategies in the event of a ¡®second wave¡¯, or other large scale disasters.¡±
In a separate study, Dr Megan King will investigate SARS-CoV2 infection and immunity in frontline hospital staff during the COVID-19 pandemic.
¡°Health workers are at increased risk of exposure and infection with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV2),¡± Dr King said.
¡°This means front-line workers represent a unique cohort to follow for trends in infection, immune response and antibody production as well as monitoring for re-infection.
¡°Understanding the implications of staff SARS-CoV2 infection on the potential for long-lasting immunity is of key significance to EDs.¡±
EMF General Manager, Dr Son? Hall said a special round of funding was offered to help front-line clinicians improve patient outcomes, protect healthcare staff from infection, and adapt policy and practice across the Queensland health system.
¡°Access to timely, appropriate, and quality care is critical for good patient outcomes, never more so as we tackle this global health pandemic,¡± Dr Hall said.