St Vincent's Nursing Research grant to transform patient care You are here:HomeNewsroomNews St Vincent's Nursing Research grant to transform patient care 24 Aug 2022 St Vincent’s Nursing Research Institute is set to commence a new research trial, after being named the inaugural recipients of a $500,000 Big Ideas Grant from Maridulu Budyari Gumal (SPHERE) expenditure over two years. The Assessment and CommuniCation ExcelLEnce foR sAfe paTient outcomEs Plus (ACCELERATE) study is a stepped-wedge cluster randomised control trial geared toward improving clinical handover and communication, and ultimately reducing early patient deterioration, pressure injuries and falls. Led by Professor Sandy Middleton and Adjunct Professor Anna Thornton, Director of Nursing, the focus of the trial is to implement and evaluate the effectiveness of an organisational ward-level intervention to facilitate comprehensive, systematic patient assessment by nurses, thereby mitigating patient harm. “This is a first for nurse-led translational research across the sector and exciting for nurses to be at the forefront of practice change leading cutting-edge research. The findings of this trial will be of significance nationally and also for other areas of care where nurse-led protocols urgently need to be put into practice to improve patient outcomes,” said Anna. The trial has commitment and executive support from collaborating partners from eight health services across two states (St Vincent’s Hospitals in both Sydney and Melbourne, Prince of Wales Hospital, Lismore Base Hospital, The Sutherland Hospital, St George Hospital, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital and Fairfield Hospital) and six university partners (Australian Catholic University, Australian National University, University of Sydney, University of Wollongong, Southern Cross University and Western Sydney University), making this trial an exemplar of the interconnection between clinical practice, education and academia. Professor Sandy Middleton and Adjunct Professor Anna Thornton