Read article here.
Monday, 4 September 2017
Monday, 28 August 2017
Monash research team trialling virtual reality to help children during medical procedures
 |
| Dr Evelyn Chan, patient Nia Ashton and Dr Erin Mills |
Needle procedures, including intravenous cannulas and blood
tests can be extremely distressing for many children, and can lead to life-long
anxiety.
For the first time, a collaborative research team led by
Monash University Research Fellow Dr Evelyn Chan, is investigating the use of
virtual reality (VR) headsets to reduce fear, pain and anxiety associated with
these procedures.
Dr Chan said
current pain management techniques such as local anaesthetic cream or distraction
are inadequate for some children, and may result in the need for restraints
and/or sedation.
“The VR headsets distract children, allowing
them to experience and interact with animated sea-life, including fish,
dolphins and whales, while medical staff take blood or insert an intravenous
cannula,” Dr Chan said.
The VR animations have been created to perfectly coincide with the
procedures being carried out.
“Children ‘feel’ the water while a nurse or doctor prepares and
cleans their hand, and fish gently bite at their hand while a needle is
inserted,” Dr Chan said.
Principal Investigator Dr Erin Mills at Monash Children’s Hospital said VR allows children to
be transported into an engaging and interactive 3D ‘virtual world’ which
provides an escape from the real world where the procedure is being performed.
“The virtual
reality experience has been designed to be immersive, enjoyable and help relax
and reassure the child while medical procedures are taking place,” Dr Mills
said.
Dr Chan said their vision is for every child to have access
to high quality needle pain management, anytime, anywhere - whether they're in
a world-class kid's hospital, a busy pathology clinic, or a remote GP
practice."
"VR has huge potential to
transform patient experiences. One day VR might become a cornerstone of patient
care - helping support patients in every step of their health journey, from
being able to walk through the operating room before their surgery, to
supporting them through their hospital stay, and helping them during recovery
with rehab and preventative health activities," Dr Chan said.
240 patients from the Pathology and the Emergency Departments
at Monash Children’s Hospital are currently being recruited to the study. The Royal Children’s Hospital will open an
arm of the study next month.
More than 30,000
patients presented to Monash Children’s Hospital Emergency Department in the
last 12 months, with 4,500 requiring blood tests.
The Monash research
team includes Dr Erin Mills, Associate Professor Simon Craig, Dr Simon Cohen,
Emma Ramage, Samantha Foster, Ryan Sambell, Michael Hovenden, Dr Evelyn Chan,
and Dr Paul Leong.
Monash innovation will save limbs and lives
 |
| Mr Jim McMillan, Mr Randall Moshinsky, Dr Elli Tutungi |
Monash University and Monash Health researchers/clinicians have led a collaboration of Australian organisations to solve a global medical problem that will save lives around the world.
A ‘bidirectional cannula’ device has been developed by three Monash University and Monash Health researchers/clinicians. It is likely to significantly reduce complication rates around the world during certain types of heart surgery procedures.
The device has been designed, engineered, and tested in Australia. The clinical trials of the device was made possible by a generous grant from the Victorian Government.
The device is used to connect patients to a heart-lung machine through a large artery at the top of the leg. Clinical trials of the device at The Alfred Hospital, led by Associate Professor Silvana Marasco, have yielded very favourable results.
The new device has shown tremendous promise in reducing the risk of leg ischaemia (lack of oxygen supply), a potentially serious complication that can occur during heart surgery and in patients requiring artificial cardiac support in Intensive Care Units.
Current devices used for this purpose direct flow towards the upper body. This compromises blood flow down the leg. The lack of blood flow to the leg can lead to nerve damage, muscle damage, and in severe cases, amputation.
This can result in severe leg ischaemia and is a major issue globally, particularly for patients who have required longer periods of cannulation in Intensive Care Units.
In severe cases of lower-limb ischaemia, surgeons may need to amputate the limb if muscles have deteriorated beyond repair.
Research shows that nearly one-quarter of patients who require prolonged femoral cannulation will develop limb ischaemia, and 2 per cent of these patients will require amputation.
With around 100,000 patients globally, this translates to thousands of patients losing limbs every year. Limb ischaemia also significantly decreases survival rates.
“This has been a major issue for Intensive Care Units around the world,” said Mr Randall Moshinsky, Monash University researcher and Cardiothoracic Surgeon at Monash Health.
“Cannulation of the lower-limb is essential for many cardiac surgery procedures and artificial heart support in Intensive Care Units, however does carry the risk of limb complications.”
The novel device allows the patient to be connected to a heart lung machine without compromising flow to the leg.
Mr Moshinsky worked alongside co-inventors Cardiac Anaesthetist Dr Elli Tutungi and Head of Perfusion Mr Jim McMillan to develop the novel cannula that solves this problem. The device is currently being manufactured for market by global device manufacturer, LivaNova, and is expected to be available in 2018.
“The medical device we have developed allows blood to flow back towards the lower limb while the femoral artery is cannulated,” Mr Moshinsky said.
“It is bidirectional, meaning it allows blood to flow in both directions. We are tremendously thankful to A/Prof Marasco and our colleagues at Alfred Health who trialled the device, which has demonstrated favourable outcomes and device safety.”
“Surgeons and Intensivists around the world are incredibly excited by this development,” Mr Moshinsky said.
“We’ve presented this invention at Surgical and Intensivist Conference around the world, and everyone we’ve spoken to about the bidirectional cannula has asked the same question: ‘How soon will it be available?’”
MRFF Competitive Grant Opportunities Clinical Trials and Antimicrobial Resistance
The first two competitive grant opportunities
for the Medical Research Future Fund opened last week. These grants will be run by
the NHMRC and will utilise their competitive peer process.
As announced at the Federal Budget, these initiatives are
As announced at the Federal Budget, these initiatives are
- Antimicrobial Resistance
Targeted
- Lifting Clinical Trials and
Registries Capacity
Applications close on 4 October 2017 at 5pm (AEST)
Further information about the grant opportunities is available from the NHMRC website
ARC Industrial Transformation Research Program (ITRP), October
The ARC will hold a half
day information and networking forum for the Industrial Transformation Research Program (ITRP) in October.
· The forum
will be held in Canberra on 10 or 13 October 2017 (exact
date TBC).
· There will
be no charge to attend the forum.
· As this is
the first time the ARC has run this forum, they are seeking Expressions
of Interest to get an idea of numbers.
The
Industrial Transformation Priorities are priority research areas
identified by the ARC which are updated from round to round. The priorities for
hubs and centres commencing in 2017 are:
- Medical
Technologies and Pharmaceuticals
- Advanced
Manufacturing
- Mining Equipment, Technology and Services
- Food and Agribusiness
- Mining Equipment, Technology and Services
- Food and Agribusiness
- Oil, Gas and
Energy Resources
Researchers interested in
attending the forum are requested to provide their name, email address and the
applicable Industrial Transformation Priority to the Faculty Research Office (medicine.research@monash.edu) by 5pm Thursday 31 August 2017.
Upcoming online myResearch training sessions
This is a
friendly reminder that myDevelopment is now live for academic and
professional staff to search and register for professional development
opportunities.
A series
of myResearch online information sessions for researchers and professional
staff are now advertised in myDevelopment and open for registration:
- Ethics (Human) -
24/08 from 10am-12pm
- Applications
(Contracts) - 29/08 from 10am-11.30am
- Applications (Grants)
- 14/09 from 10am-11.30am
These
sessions will feature a walkthrough of Pure and ERM functionality and will take
participants step-by-step through the processes.
To
register for a session: Selecting the activity in myDevelopment
enables registration into available sessions.
Note: myDevelopment
works best with Internet Explorer or Firefox, not Chrome.
Upon
registering, registrants are sent a 'confirmation of registration email' that
allows them to add the event to their google calendar and also contains the
Zoom link to join the session online on the day.
Sessions
for Research Outputs will be scheduled shortly.
New Animal Ethics Application Form
As recommended by
Department of Agriculture, Victoria, the Monash Animal Ethics Application Form
has been updated to ensure compliance with the Legislation and Codes of
Practice.The existing Breeding Colony Request Form and Application form for Observation of Wildlife have been rescinded. The new form will replace all current application forms (Research, Teaching & Breeding) and is accessible from the following link.
http://www.intranet.monash/researchadmin/start/ethics/animal/approval/app-forms
There will be a phase-in period to allow Investigators currently preparing an application to submit. Applications on the new Form will be mandatory from Monday 18th September.
Sparrho Early Career Researcher Prize 2017-2018
Are you, or one of your grad students or postdocs, going to a conference this year?
Sparrho, a London-based science startup, is offering travel grants of $800 AUD* to PhD students and postdocs from any institute who want to share their research at an academic conference in the next 12 months, anywhere in the world.
Since June, we've received applications from over 70 countries, which includes shortlisted entries from researchers at the Universities of Copenhagen, Tel Aviv, Edinburgh, Cambridge, Munich, Monash, Caltech, MIT, and University of Kelaniya. The platform encourages users from across world to collaborate based on mutual research interests, while developing their science communication skills.
Take a look at the pinboards of our prize recipients from this month for ideas on creating your own:
- Amanda Markovitz, DSci Candidate at Harvard University, presenting at the American Heart Association Scientific Sessions 2017 in Anaheim, California.
- Emeka Ogbuju, PhD Student at Federal University Lokoja, Nigeria, presenting at the International Conference – Data for Policy 2017 in London, UK.
To see the application form and some of August's shortlisted applicants, go now to: https://grants.sparrho.com.
The next deadline is September 30th 2017 for our October 2017 Prizes
Grand Rounds: “Imaging a Neglected Tropical Disease - Schistosomiasis", 30 August
“Imaging a Neglected Tropical Disease - Schistosomiasis"
WEDNESDAY 30 August 2017
TIME: 12.30 – 13.30
MAIN LECTURE THEATRE MONASH MEDICAL CENTRE CLAYTON
LIGHT LUNCH FROM 12.15pm
Monash Haematology Journal Club, ‘The impact of genetic mutations in MDS & treatment options’, 30 August
7.30am Breakfast & 7.45am Presentation
Monash Medical Centre, Level 2 - Lecture Theatre 3
‘The impact
of genetic mutations in MDS & treatment options’
Presenter: Dr Shu Min Wong
“Regulation and therapeutic targeting of mesenchymal stem cells in the adult mammalian heart”, 31 August
This week's Hudson seminar will be held Thursday 31 August 12pm-1pm in Seminar Rooms 1
& 2, Level 2, TRF Building.
Our
speaker will be Professor Richard Harvey, Deputy Director and Head,
Developmental and Stem Cell Biology Division, Victor Chang Cardiac Research
Institute.
A light lunch and refreshments will follow this presentation.
Professor Richard Harvey received his PhD in 1982 from the University of Adelaide, training in molecular biology. He undertook postdoctoral studies in embryology at Harvard University with Doug Melton, and then moved to the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute in Melbourne, establishing an independent group. In 1998, he relocated to the Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute, where he is currently Co-Deputy Director and Head of the Developmental and Stem Cell Biology Division. He holds the endowed Sir Peter Finley Professorship of Heart Research at the University of New South Wales. He is a Fellow of the Australian Academy of Science, The Royal Society of London and EMBO. His research focuses on the genetic basis of heart development, the pathological mechanisms underlying congenital heart disease, the biology and origins of adult cardiac stem cells, and cardiac regeneration.
ARC DE19 Discovery Early Career Researcher Awards (DECRA) Scheme Workshop, 10 October
Time: 2.00 – 4.00pm
Venue: Green View Room, Monash Sports, 42 Scenic Boulevard, Clayton
Afternoon Tea will be served
RSVP: by 5 October 2017 to medicine.research@monash.edu
The Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences (MNHS) invites researchers intending to apply in the upcoming ARC Discovery Early Career Researcher Awards (DE19) round to attend a practical, experience based workshop on the preparation for, application to, and assessment of the DECRA scheme.
The workshop will be chaired by Professor Matthew Gillespie, Associate Dean (Research Strategy).
Successful applicants, assessors from the ARC College of Experts, and staff from the Monash Research Office (MRO) will discuss ARC policies and compliance, and share Tips, Timetables and ‘To Do’ lists with intending applicants.
Pre-workshop reading material will include DE19 information from the ARC and updated documentation from the Faculty Research Office (FRO). Participants are invited to prepare targeted questions and specific scenarios for comment and discussion.
Gastro-Oesophageal Cancer Research Design Workshop, 15 September
Friday 15 September, 1.30pm-5pm, Seminar Room 2, TRF
Please join us for a brainstorming workshop regarding potential research projects in Upper GI cancer. A range of clinical and translational projects will be discussed, with the aim of having a suite of projects for registrars, BMED SCi, PhD and others available. Further details and call for project ideas will follow but for now:
RSVP by: 8 September 2017 to PAtoProfSegelov@monashhealth.org please include your name, department and contact number.
Afternoon tea provided.
For more information and to RSVP please contact Oncology department secretary Ms Annette McClellan. Ph: 8572 2392 or PAtoProfSegelov@monashhealth.org
Book in now for your FREE WorkHealth Check!
Work
Health Checks are
now available for
Monash staff at
Victorian campuses
and sites.
Places
are limited,
so get in early now
to confirm your
booking!
Your
20 minute health
check will
include:
- A check of your total cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, blood pressure and blood glucose, and waist circumference, all measured by a health professional.
- An assessment of your type 2 diabetes risk, cardiovascular disease risk, and modifiable risk factors (smoking and exercise)
- Individual results card, results consultation and recommendation.
Your
results are
confidential and
Monash University
will not
receive any personal
information about
your health.
Important
things to know
before your
appointment:
- No fasting is required prior to your appointment
- Screening involves a finger prick and collection of two droplets of blood
- Inform the practitioner if you feel lightheaded at any stage or have any history of fainting
How
do I book?
Click
the link
to book in online. Select
your site and
preferred date from
the list available.
You
will receive an
email confirming
your appointment,
together with a
reminder 4
days prior to the
appointment.
If
you have any
questions or
concerns about
your health seek
advice
from your General
Practitioner.
Places
are limited, so book
now to avoid
missing out.
Keeping Safe in our Workplace
Following recent incidents involving violent or threatening
behaviour in our communities, it is timely to remind ourselves to look out for
each other, and keep safe.
We need to be vigilant and careful, particularly after dark.
Please avoid walking alone, and wait for an opportunity to walk in
a group.
Security patrols of our designated carparks occur at the main
late evening shift changeover. Our security staff will also be able to
assist with escorts to designated carparks. This could involve a
short wait before they are available.
We all need to be committed to ensuring a safe work
environment.
If you have any questions please speak with your site
management.
Martin Keogh
Chief Operating Officer
Chief Operating Officer
Monash Health
SCS OHS Committee meeting: Call for agenda items
The next SCS OHS committee meeting
will be held on 6 September, 10-11am in the Medicine Seminar Room, Block E, Level 5.
Please send any items for
discussion to clare.westhorpe@monash.edu.
Meeting minutes are available
on the intranet here.
MMC Site Alert: Noisy Building Works - E Block
What is happening?
· Building
Works are scheduled on Level 1 in E Block
· Some
noise from these works may be heard in surrounding areas and in the floors
above
· The
noisy works will be intermittent during the specified schedule.
When are the works scheduled?
·
Works are scheduled to:
•
Commence:
6:30am
Tuesday August 29, 2017
•
Conclude:
10am Friday September 1, 2017
How will the works impact me?
·
The noisy works will be heard on level 1 of E Block, and are likely to
be heard on Level 2.
·
Wherever possible the noisiest works will be undertaken prior to 8am.
What about safety?
- The contractor preparations for this work reflect
the strong focus on safety from Monash Health
- Works will follow approved processes based upon
risk assessments of the work to be undertaken.
·
Appropriate mobile plant, tools, barriers and personal protective
equipment will be used.
How do I get more information?
Please
contact Site Management if you seek additional information or clarification.
· Telephone:
44727
Randall Moshinsky on 7 News
Evelyn Chan on ABC24
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