History of Grants
Grants program
1998-1999
Assisting ground breaking research in arthritis
1998-1999 signalled the start of Foundation Daw Park's grants program. The foundation funded surgical equipment needed to operate Repat's Synovial Joint tissue bank. The bank of this tissue, taken from the lining of the knee joint, was one of only four in the world. Without funding of the surgical equipment, the bank's stocks could not be replenished and the bank risked closure.
Post graduate scholarships in rehabilitation nursing
Two post graduate scholarships were provided in Foundation Daw Park's 1998-1999 grants program to enable two staff members to undertake a Post Graduate Diploma in Clinical Rehabilitation. Both recipients excelled in their studies and brought a wealth of new experience and expertise into their respective fields, to the benefit of patients and other staff at The Repat.
1999-2000
Help for Asthma Sufferers
This grant awarded to Dr Peter Catcheside was to explore how blood oxygen levels (hypoxia) affected patients' perceptions of the severity of their asthma symptoms. The aim was to improve the treatment of asthma sufferers. The study was centred in The Repat's Sleep Disorders Unit. It tested a theory that acute hypoxia, which accompanies moderate to severe asthma attacks, might profoundly depress respiratory sensations, placing patients at greater risk than they may commonly expect.
Pastoral care library
A pastoral care library was established in this year's round of grants. The library provides patients and staff with a resource of importance to the spiritual health of those in a hospital community.
Taking the pressure of
Pressure sores (bed sores) are of serious concern to all hospital patients and particularly elderly bed-ridden people. A projected aimed at reducing the incidence of pressure sores, and managing them was made possible through our grant. The project involved rewviewing literature and research about bed sores from local, national and international sources, identifying patients at The Repat at risk of developing pressure sores and reviewing equipment and prevention measures suited to the needs of Repat patients. Recommendations were then made for the management of the prevention of pressure sores and implemented throughout the hospital.
Post graduate scholarships in critical care nursing
Two scholarships were awarded this year towards the provision of Critical Care Nursing (CCN) Scholarships. The funding provided course fees for Graduate Diploma / Masters studies in CCN. The aim was to further strengthen The Repat's ability to provide the highest quality care to its patients and also help address a national shortage of critical care nurses.
2001-2002
Arthritis under the microscope
The grant provided researchers with the opportunity to gain new insights into the pathology of the crippling condition, Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA), which affects two percent of the world's population. The researchers explored how drug treatments for RA affected messages within the cells of joint lining tissue. This information helped doctors more accurately pinpoint the prognosis of those diagnosed with RA and predict the impact of medications and radiology on the development of their disease.
Patient falls tackled
A questionnaire aimed at identifying patients who could fall during a stay in hospital was developed through grant funding. Awarded to Senior Consultant in Rehabilitation and Aged Care, Dr Craig Whitehead, the aim was to address the issues of falls in hospitals. They are collectively the foremost adverse event at The Repat, with serious and costly outcomes.
The project aimed to ensure than an existing tool utilised by nursing staff to identify those patients most likely to fall while in hospital did, in fact, do so. Its development was critical to monitoring the success of falls prevention strategies and standards of practices, as well as identifying the true costs of falls at The Repat.
Therapeutic and Receational Game Activity for Ward 17
There's much to be said about the shake, rattle and roll of life over depression and that saw The Repat's Psychiatry receive a grant to purchase a Shuffleboard table enabling patients of Ward 17 to Play Shoot "N" Shuffle. The game revolves around a huge game table where teams compete. The gam, installed in ex-service hostels across four states, is considered a major therapeutic and recreation activity. A study has found that it is highly beneficial for older veterans particularly; stimulating enjoyment, building self-esteem and improving personal relationships.
A take home kit to improve your care
A handy pack containing all information a patient needs regarding their care on leaving hospital was trialled. This "Going Home Kit" carries each patient's discharge information, specific instructions and directions for care. The kits proved to be so successful that their use was adopted as standard hospital practice, with continuing funding provided through the Foundation.
2002-2003
Hip and knee replacements
The management of veteran and civilian patients who have had hip and knee replacements became the focus of research conducted by Professor of Orthopaedics, Trevor Hearn through a grant to compare the outcomes of such surgery in the two population groups. His research further explored the results of a 1998 study that indicated there were differences in the outcomes of such surgery in the two populations that might require modifications to management. This is significant as there are approximately 40,000 such procedures conducted annually in Australia and the number is expected to increase due to Australia's ageing population.
End of life care in hospital
Quality of nursing support provided to patients needing end of life treatment in The Repat's acute wards was studied, drawing upon the world-class expertise resident in Daw House Hospice in the assessment phase and the formulation of an appropriate strategy and education program in palliative care nursing practices.
Upgraded kitchen facilities in Ward 17
Kitchen facilities used extensively by Ward 17's former Day Program and now by people participating in some other Ward 17 activities were upgraded. The upgrade addressed a number of occupation heal;th and safety concerns and also made it possible to increase the number of people participating in the programs. In addition to providing participants with the opportunity to learn new skills, the programs have aided assessment, helped to reinforce hygiene and safety procedures, while also promoting team building, tolerance and group cohesion.
2003-2004
User-friendly walkway
Constructed for people with even limited mobility, the walkway provides patients and staff with a facility where they can exercise in safety on a surface suitable for walking, walking with an aid, or a wheelchair.
Safer alternative to warfarin investigated
Investigations into two possible alternatives to the anticoagulant medication warfarin were conducted. The investigations, part of a broader medication research activities, were led by Markus Gebauer BSc (Hons) PH D, who had identified two possible alternative agents and who needed to further assess their apparent efficiency and improved safety.
2004-2005
A study to build upon Repat's research into blood thinning medications
A study investigating the incidence and risk factors for bleeding complications in hospitalised patients due to injected Low Molecular Weight Heparin (LMWH) anticoagulants was the winning research project in this year's round of grants. The research, of interest and relevance internationally, explored whether poor kidnewy function in the elderly placed them at an increased risk of bleeding when given these particular anticoagulants. The study builds upon earlier research funded by the Department of Veterans Affairs, aimed at achieving the safest and most efficient use of LMWH anticoagulants.
Therapeutic under cover environment
An expansive retractable shade funded to provide respite shade and protection over Ward One's Diversional Garden; the provision of this shade has created a therapeutic undercover environment that can be used year-round.
Surface EMG Treatment and Bio Feedback units for Speech Pathology
Four Surface EMG Treatment and Biofeedback Units have been provided to Speech Pathology for the rehabilitation of those patients with swallowing, speech and voice disorders. These machines enables patients to "see" via a graph "readout" how hard their muscles are working, rather than relying on feeling and quantifying their muscle action. The machines will provide them with the opportunity to gradually increase effort and train their muscles, providing strength and coordination, reflected in improved ability to swallow. The machines dispense with the need for patients to come to the hospital daily as they can be assigned a machine for use at home.
Bowel cancer detection and research support
Computer software and hardware enabling a team of researchers to track and manage people participating in the Southern Cooperative Program for the Prevention of Colorectal Cancer (SCOOP) was upgraded through this year's grants. SCOOP began as a new hospital program to prevent bowel cancer in high risk patients. A part of SCOOP is a screening program for the early detection and removal of bowel cancers and polyps. A rapid increase in patients participating produced a need for the additional technology to ensure the maintenance of the database established to record high risk patients. The ultimate aim is to prevent deaths from bowel cancer.