New Science
Platform XLabS led by Dr Andrew Bulmer
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Our
new platform, Experimental Laboratory Science (XLabS) is directed by Dr Andrew Bulmer. This platform will
transition and expand from our established Microbiology and Infection Prevention group led by Dr Li Zhang,
as she prepares to take on a new role.
Dr Andrew Bulmer graduated with his PhD from the University
of Queensland (Molecular and Microbial Science and Human Movement Studies) in 2008, which focussed on
the development of a novel antioxidant therapy to prevent cardiovascular disease. Now with more than 15
years of research experience in vascular biology, Dr Bulmer and the platform bring deep and broad experience
in disciplines of cardiovascular, microbiological and physical science to improve vascular access devices
and practices. All members in the XLabS platform have translational research experience, encompassing
laboratory, pre-clinical and clinical research which allows the use of scientific know-how and its application
to clinical scenarios
The XLabS platform works closely with other AVATAR platforms (Dressing
and Securement, Flushing and Blood Sampling, Paediatric and Neonatal, Devices and Therapy, Education and
Knowledge Transfer) to provide pre-clinical evidence to support and inform the development of full clinical
trials, providing strategic direction, in addition to potential cost and time savings before trials are
undertaken in hospital settings.
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Australian Vascular Access Society (AVAS) 2nd Annual Scientific Meeting,
and WoCoVA highlights, Perth 2017
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AVAS's 2nd
Scientific Meeting was an outstanding event by all criteria- innovative practice improvements, great science,
passionate leaders, consumer engagement, quality products, and a meeting of friends for networking, encouragement
and fun. Over 30 AVATAR researchers made the trip to join their colleagues in Western Australia and presented
in every session. Congratulations to Emily Larsen for being recognised with the Best Paper award.
We were fortunate to have inspirational international invited speakers, being Professor Fiona Wood,
Dr Naomi O'Grady, and Dr Vineet Chopra. The WoCoVA team also brought us several high-profile international
speakers from the last World Congress held in Portugal. Congratulations to the convenors of both events,
and thank you to our international colleagues for making the very long trip 'down under'. Our thanks to
Angiodynamics for sponsoring Tricia Kleidon to present her research, and to 3M who supported a pre-conference
event where AVATAR and international clinicians shared their experiences of improving vascular access.

Left to right: Dr Anton Leonard, Peter Carr,
Dr Rebecca Sharp, Dr James Rippey, Tricia Kleidon, Gavin Jackson, Dr Amanda Ullman, Prof Samantha Keogh
(AVAS 2017 Organising Committee)

Left to right: AVATAR's Emily Larsen, Prof Marie Cooke, Nicole
Marsh, Prof Joan Webster, Prof Claire Rickard

University of Michigan's Dr Vineet Chopra and
CDC's Dr Naomi O'Grady

AVATAR's Dr Li Zhang (second from right) with international delegates Hongyan
Yang, Affiliated hospital of Beijing University, Yuling Li, Affiliated hospital of Shanxi Medical University,
Yiqun Yang, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suhui Zheng, The Affiliated Union Hospital
of Fujian Medical University
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AVATAR Conference
Bursaries
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AVATAR provided
full or partial funding support for 15 nurses & scientists to attend the AVAS ASM & WoCoVA mini-meeting,
and in many cases to present oral or poster presentations. This money comes from funds earned by the senior
researchers for consultancies. For several attendees it was their first conference presentation, and they
all did fantastically well.
1. Paula Cattanach, Lady Cilento Children's Hospital
2. Kerrie
Curtis, Olivia Newton-John Cancer Wellness and Research Centre
3. Julie Flynn, Royal Brisbane &
Women's Hospital
4. Nicole Gavin, Royal Brisbane & Women's Hospital
5. Victoria Gibson,
Lady Cilento Children's Hospital
6. Ally Hawthorn, Griffith Uni/QUT
7. Samantha Keogh, QUT
8. Tricia Kleidon, Lady Cilento Children's Hospital
9. Emily Larsen, Royal Brisbane & Women's
Hospital
10. Nicole Marsh, Royal Brisbane & Women's Hospital
11. Colleen Olive, Lady Cilento
Children's Hospital
12. Maria Paula Pires, Griffith Uni/Uni of Sao Paulo
13. Gillian Ray-Barruel,
Griffith Uni
14. Caroline Shelverton, Griffith Uni
15. Li Zhang, Griffith Uni
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Tricia Kleidon invited speaker at 3M Global IV Leadership Summit, Minneapolis
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The 3M Global
IV Leadership Summit in Minneapolis was held in May after the combined Australian Vascular Access Society
and World Congress Vascular Access (AVAS/WoCoVA) in Perth. I was extremely fortunate to attend both.
Full of enthusiasm after such an energetic experience in Perth I popped home briefly to swap suitcases
and then jumped on another flight to Minneapolis.
The opening address by Kathleen Vollman encouraged
us to Learn it, Lead it, Live it: Strengths for Sustainable Changes in healthcare. This was
a very energetic opening to the summit which motivated all attendees that we are all capable of making
change. To do this she encouraged us to build change from the inside out. To introduce the
next speaker she ended with "in God we trust, everyone else must bring data and a patient story".
Madelyn
George-Theimann and Roy George were an entertaining duo who provided the patient experience. Their
journey began when Roy was a baby in the neonatal intensive care unit that Madelyn worked in as a nurse.
Roy has short gut secondary to necrotic bowel that required a large portion of his bowel to be removed
shortly after birth. Roy would require lifelong parenteral nutrition through a central venous access
device (CVAD) and when his parents were unable to care for him Madelyn stepped in and adopted him.
Together they tell a very entertaining tale of survival and love whilst navigating the ups and downs
of a potentially life limiting diagnosis. This brought home the very real patient experience to
all attendees and set the scene for the remaining sessions where we learnt from one another and shared
information that will improve the patient experience and reduce the complications of vascular access.
Over the next two days, experts from within their own specialist area of vascular access including;
Stephen Rowley and Simon Clare founders of ANTT (aseptic non-touch technique), Vito Tanzi and Tara White
Navigating Hospital Procurement to ensure we spend smarter and treat smarter, our very own Nancy Moureau
summarised the Michigan Appropriateness Guide for Intravenous Catheters (MAGIC), Gail Egan reminded us
of careful post care and management to prevent vascular access device problems and the importance of ensuring
optimal placement and site dressing upon insertion of a vascular access device will help achieve this.
The final day acknowledged the work of Daphne Broadhurst, Nancy Moureau and Dr. Amanda Ullman in
managing an under recognised complication of CVAD skin impairment. This trio of 'Dressing Queens'
published an algorithm for managing impaired skin sites. I concluded the summit with a presentation
regarding the significance of peripheral intravenous catheters including the results of One Million Global
(OMG) Peripheral Intravenous Catheter Study (thanks Gillian and Evan!). There was a lot of interest
from attendees to repeat the audit within their own hospital and excitement regarding the upcoming publication
of the entire study. The final day concluded with the very sombre Only One video clip which is the
Australian campaign to reduce multiple insertion attempts, multiple device failures and adverse sequelae
of failed venous access.
Dr. Patrick Parkes, Nancy Malloy-Harper and the entire 3M team were
extremely gracious hosts and looked after all attendees and every aspect of the summit. I thoroughly
enjoyed this experience and would highly recommend attendance if the chance is presented.
Tricia Kleidon (front row, third from the right)
Nurse Practitioner and Research
Fellow

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Professor
Samantha Keogh visits China
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Between 5th
and 12th June 2017 I was invited to speak to a number of Nursing Societies in China (Shanghai, Liaoning,
Beijing, & Guangzhou) as well as be a Keynote Speaker for the Chinese Oncology Society Annual
Meeting (in Shenyang). My talks were 'Reducing vascular access complications: a review of research and
practice' and 'Optimizing peripheral IV Outcomes in Cancer Care'. In addition to formal talks I facilitated
workshops with vascular access specialist nurses and participated in panel discussions with nurse leaders
and practitioners about IV practice and research. I was hosted by BD Medical for the duration of the trip.
It was an honour and a privilege to address the various audiences I did, and I enjoyed the many interactions
I had (facilitated by clever translators). I also made a new friend in the lovely and very experienced
VA specialist Nadine Nakazawa from Stanford Hospital, California USA. I am admiring of what many of the
Chinese practitioners are doing, sometimes in challenging settings.

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Honour for Dr Evan Alexandrou
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AVATAR's NSW Chapter Lead was presented
a special community award from Liverpool City Council, in recognition of his contributions to the health
and wellbeing of the local community. Dr Evan Alexandrou, a Senior Lecturer within University of Western
Sydney's School of Nursing and Midwifery, was presented with a 'Hero of Liverpool' award at Casula Powerhouse
Arts Centre on 26 June 2017.
The Heroes of Liverpool Awards were
created to recognise outstanding members of the community people who have gone above and beyond in their
day-to-day work to improve the lives of others. In addition to being a teacher and mentor for Western
Sydney University nursing students, Dr Alexandrou is a Clinical Nurse Consultant within the Central Venous
Access Service (CVAS) at Liverpool Hospital.
Dr Alexandrou is also the chief investigator in
the world's largest vascular access research project the One Million Global Catheters study which has
audited the use of peripheral intravenous catheters in over 41,000 patients in 450 hospitals in 51 countries.
Dr Alexandrou, who was one of the first nurses in Australia to be trained in Central Venous Access, says
the CVAS team at Liverpool Hospital is internationally recognised for its advanced, state-of-the-art methods
for providing vascular access to patients.
Associate Professor Deborah Hatcher, Dean of the
School of Nursing and Midwifery, UWS says the Liverpool award is recognising Dr Alexandrou for 'Innovation
in Health Excellence.' "Dr Alexandrou is a worthy recipient of this community award and is a credit to
the University," says Associate Professor Hatcher.
"His work as a clinical nurse directly improves
patient outcomes; his applied research is advancing treatment procedures; and as a University lecturer
and mentor, he is inspiring the next generation of nurses to make a real difference in their future careers."
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Honour for Dr Frances Lin
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Frances was appointed as the first
nursing Visiting Professor of Peking University First Hospital.

Picture: Dr Frances Lin receives the Visiting Professor certificate
from Ms Yanming Ding, Director of Nursing, Peking University First Hospital, at a research seminar.
This appointment is in recognition of Dr Frances Lin's ongoing commitment
and contribution to the hospital's research program development and her efforts in promoting evidence
based practice in China. Ms Yanming Ding, Director of Nursing, Peking University First Hospital (PKUFH),
presented the certificate to Dr Frances Lin at a research seminar.
PKUFH is one of the best
and leading tertiary teaching hospitals in China. This was the first time a visiting professor position
was given to a nursing academic at PKUFH. In the last a few years, Frances has worked tirelessly with
the nursing department of PKUFH on promoting evidence based clinical practice and building nursing research
capacity.
In 2014, Dr Lin was awarded a Griffith University Peking University (PKU) collaborative
research grant which aimed to assist with reciprocal research exchanges and joint research. Built
on her prior connections with the Chinese nursing community, the grant provided great opportunity for
Dr Frances Lin to explore collaborative research opportunities with researchers from School of Nursing,
Peking University and the Peking University First hospital. As a result, Frances and her team in PKU and
PKUFH secured the Peking University Health Centre Major Nursing Projects Grant in 2016. Her team is currently
conducting a project titled: Peripheral intravenous catheter routine replacement versus replacement as
clinically indicated: a randomised controlled trial.
Frances, in collaboration with Professor
Andrea Marshall, hosted two visiting scholars (Ms Jing Li, and Ms Shuhui YU) from PKUFH to School of Nursing
and Midwifery, Griffith University in 2016 to conduct translational research. Frances is one of the editors
of a book being translated into the Chinese language, "knowledge translation in health care: moving from
evidence to practice (Straus et al.) which is planned to be published late 2017. This translated book
will be the first book in the Chinese language on knowledge translation in healthcare.
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The OPTIMUM
Trial is starting soon!
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The OPTIMUM
trial (Integrated versus nOn-integrated Peripheral inTravenous
catheter. Which Is the most clinical and cost-effective systeM for peripheral
intravenoUs catheter Management) is a two-arm, multi-centre, randomised
controlled trial of superior design comparing the clinical and cost-utility of two PIVC systems (integrated
vs non-integrated) to prevent PIVC complications and failure.
The trial will be undertaken at the
Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Hospital (QEII), the Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital (RBWH); and the Fiona
Stanley Hospital (FSH). This trial will be commencing at QEII in July 2017.
Contact Dr Isabel
Castillo at i.castillo@griffith.edu.au (Griffith
University) for more information.
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For her postdoctoral fellowship project, Dr
Gillian Ray-Barruel is conducting an interrupted time-series study, testing a PIVC assessment and decision-making
tool in 6 wards in 3 Brisbane hospitals. The study will test the implementation of a new approach to IV
assessment and we look forward to hearing the results.
Email g.ray-barruel@griffith.edu.au
for more information. |
New AVATAR
Research Grants
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Ray-Barruel
G, Cooke M, Mitchell M, Rickard C. Industry collaborator: Casey V. MenziesHIQ Incentive Quality Development
Scheme. I-DECIDED: a clinical decision-making tool for improving peripheral intravenous catheter
assessment and safe removal in hospitals, in collaboration with the Metro South Health Service District.
2017; $20,000
Rickard C, Ware R, Ullman A, Marsh
N. Industry partners: Gavin N, Fraser J, Lawley M. MenziesHIQ Incentive Quality Development Scheme.
Clinical Registry Partnership Developing a central venous access device registry as a research and health
improvement platform, in collaboration with the Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital (RBWH). 2017; $20,000
Ullman A, Edwards R, Kleidon T, Nicholls W, Bradford N, Newall F, Rickard C, Cooke M. Children's
Hospital Foundation Health Services Research Grant. Prevention of Occlusion of cEnTral lInes for Children
with cancer: the POETIC project. 2017; $80,000
Ullman A, Long D, Baveas
T, Pearson K, Schlapbach L. Insertion, management and complications associated with arterial catheters
in paediatric intensive care: a clinical audit. Australian College of Critical Care Nurses research
grant. 2017; $5000
Ullman A, Marsh N, Mihala G, O'Leary K, Rickard C (mentor).
SKIN Complications associated with vascular Access dressings: SKIN CARE project. 2017; $7000
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You can read our papers at http://www.avatargroup.org.au/our-publications.html
1. Gavin N, Keogh S, McMillan D, Rickard CM. Does parenteral nutrition increase the risk
of catheter-related infection? A systematic literature review. J Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition.
On-line Jun 2017.
2. Rickard CM, Marsh NM, Webster J, Gavin NC, Chan RJ, McCarthy AL, Mollee
P, Ullman AJ, Kleidon T, Chopra V, Zhang L, McGrail MR, Larsen E, Choudhury MA, Keogh S, Alexandrou E,
McMillan DJ, Mervin MC, Paterson DL, Cooke M, Ray-Barruel G, Castillo MI, Hallahan A, Corley A, Playford
G. Peripherally InSerted CEntral catheter dressing and Securement: the PISCES Trial. Protocol
for a 2x2 factorial, superiority randomised controlled trial. BMJ Open. June 2017;7:e015291.
3. Rickard CM, Ullman A, Kleidon P, Marsh N. Ten Tips for dressing and securement of IV device wounds.
Australian Nursing & Midwifery Journal. 2017. May;24(10):32-34.
4. Ray-Barruel G, Ullman
AJ, Rickard CM, Cooke M. Clinical audits to improve critical care: Part 2: Analyse, benchmark and
feedback. Australian Critical Care. June 2017. On-line early.
5. Ullman A, Ray-Barruel G,
Rickard CM, Cooke M. Clinical audits to improve critical care: the what, the why and the how.
Australian Critical Care. 201; doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.aucc.2017.04.003.
6. Kleidon
T, Alexandrou E, Mifflin N, McManus C. Vascular access services around Australia. Vascular Access
Apr 2017;3(1):26-29.
7. Zhao DY, Brownlie J, Wells T, Zhang L. The impact of biofilms on
intravascular catheter-related bloodstream infection and antimicrobial resistance. Vascular Access
Apr 2017;3(1):11-14
8. Kleidon P, Ullman A, Zhang L, Gavin N, Mihala G, Northfield S, Rickard
CM. Peripherally Inserted Central Catheter OutcoMes PolyurethAne veRsus Endexo: the PICCOMPARE
Trial. Protocol for a randomised controlled trial. Vascular Access. Apr 2017;3(1):15-21.
9. Keogh S, Shelverton C, Flynn J, Davies K, Marsh N, Rickard CM. An Observational Study of Nurses'
Intravenous Flush and Medication Practice in the Clinical Setting. Vascular Access. Apr 2017;
3(1):3-10.
10. Choudhury MA, Wailan AM, Sidjabat HE, Zhang L, Marsh N, Rickard CM, Davies MR,
McMillan D. Draft genome sequence of Roseomonas mucosa strain AU37, isolated from a peripheral intravenous
catheter. Genome Announcements. Brief Report. Apr 2017;5(15): pii:e00128-17.
11. Farrell
C, McCulloch E, Bellhouse S, Delahoyde M, Hill S, Rickard C, Yorke J. Peripheral cannulae in oncology:
nurses' confidence and patients' experiences. Cancer Nursing Practice. April 2017;16(3): 32-38.
12. Broadhurst D, Moreau N, Ullman AJ. Management of Central Venous Access Device-Associated
Skin Impairment: An Evidence-Based Algorithm. World Congress of Vascular Access (WoCoVA) Skin Impairment
Management Advisory Panel. J Wound Ostomy Continence Nurs. 2017 Mar 28. doi: 10.1097/WON.0000000000000322.
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Association
for Vascular Access (AVA) 31st Annual Conference, Sep 16 - 19 2017, Phoenix, Arizona,
USA. https://www.eventscribe.com/2017/AVA/index.asp?id=284513
42nd Australian and New Zealand Annual Scientific Meeting
on Intensive Care & the 23rd Annual Paediatric and Neonatal Intensive Care Conference,
11-13 October 2017, Gold Coast, QLD http://intensivecareasm2017.com.au/
N.B. Wed 11th Oct, 08.30-12.00pm: Intensive Care Foundation Workshop Achieving Optimal Vascular
Access: Thinking Outside the Central Line-CLABSI Box. Pre-conference workshop presented by AVATAR.
Infusion Nurses Society (INS) National Academy & One-Day
Program, November 3-5 2017, Atlanta, Georgia, USA https://www.eiseverywhere.com/ehome/187275
Australasian College for Infection Prevention and Control
2017 Conference. 20-22 November, 2017, National Convention Centre, Canberra, ACT.
http://2017.acipcconference.com.au/
16th Intravenous Nursing New Zealand (IVNNZ) Inc. Conference
16-17th March 2018, Rotorua, NZ. http://www.ivnnz.co.nz/Conference-2018
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