Study level

  • PhD
  • Master of Philosophy

Faculty/School

Faculty of Health

School of Nursing

Topic status

We're looking for students to study this topic.

Research centre

Centre for Healthcare Transformation

Supervisors

Dr Ut Bui
Position
Lecturer
Division / Faculty
Faculty of Health
Associate Professor Christina Parker
Position
Associate Professor
Division / Faculty
Faculty of Health

Overview

A surgical wound is an incision in the skin that is made during a surgical procedure and generally expected to heal within two to four weeks by primary intention in an orderly manner through the normal wound healing process. However, this process can be disrupted by many factors, leading to complications such as wound dehiscence, non-healing wounds, surgical site infections and sepsis. On average, there are 11 surgical wounds infected for every 100 surgical wounds and these surgical site infections (SSIs) account for up to 20% of all of healthcare-associated infections. Many factors have been identified to be associated with the development of SSIs and the levels of risk for SSIs can be calculated. Understanding the relationship between potential factors and SSIs and determining patients at risk of SSIs is very important, however, it is essential that care is taken in a systems approach to manage these risks and effectively prevent SSIs from occurring.

Research activities

This research program investigates the relationships between potential risk factors and SSIs and determining an evidence-based and practical systems approach to effectively manage these risk factors to minimise the person's risk of developing SSIs.

The research activities will depend on exact target populations, but include:

  • conducting a systematic literature review
  • developing and conducting healthcare professionals and patient surveys
  • interviewing healthcare professionals and patients
  • testing the effect of evidence-based and practical strategies/interventions.

Outcomes

Outcomes include:

  • new and comprehensive understanding of factors associated with SSIs
  • evidence-based and practical strategies/interventions for prevention of SSIs which will lead to consistent positive results of surgical procedures, and patient safety
  • scientific publications.

Skills and experience

This program of work will suit a healthcare professional with background in surgical care and an interest in optimising surgical care and outcomes.

Scholarships

You may be eligible to apply for a research scholarship.

Explore our research scholarships

Keywords

Contact

Contact the supervisor for more information.