Centre for Clinical Research in Emergency Medicine

RPH has the longest-serving Emergency Department in WA, providing emergency care since 1906.

We are very active in research, aiming to advance emergency care available to patients in WA, Australia and around the world. 

Our Centre for Clinical Research in Emergency Medicine (CCREM) brings together clinical ED staff and laboratory scientists using immunological and molecular biological techniques to study a wide spectrum of diseases.

The projects include:

• Sepsis and septic shock
• Emerging Drugs Network of Australia (EDNA) and State Toxicology Alert Reporting System (STARS)
• Concussion and traumatic brain injury (AUS mTBI)
• Trauma Management (FEISTY II) 
• Non-Suicidal Self Injury (NSSI-ED)
• Influenza and effectiveness of influenza vaccines (FluCAN)
• Australian Snakebite Project
• Alcohol-related ED Presentations (WA Model for Violence Prevention)

Over the years, our research has informed and improved clinical approaches to spontaneous pneumothorax, chest pain, sepsis, critical illness, anaphylaxis, illicit drug intoxications, snake envenoming and redback spider bite. Ongoing studies are expected to have similar impacts. 

Background

We are part of the Harry Perkins Institute of Medical Research, established in 2008 with funds from RPH, the RPH Research Foundation and the University of WA. 

Research includes observational studies and laboratory work designed to uncover the mechanisms of disease, and randomised controlled trials designed to improve clinical care.

We endeavour to integrate laboratory and clinical research, using laboratory studies to help us understand the results of clinical trials.

We can host laboratory and clinical post-graduate honours and PhD students, and research terms for Emergency Medicine Advanced Trainees at RPH.

Good clinical research is an essential core activity that should run 24 hours a day and is integral to the function of our ED.

Structured research protocols bring high quality evidence-based practice to the bedside to benefit our patients and help us to improve treatments and outcomes.

Our research is achieved by working within an international network of researchers working in toxicology, immunology, allergy, respiratory medicine, intensive care, geriatrics, cardiology, trauma, microbiology, clinical pharmacology, pharmaceutical sciences and statistics.

As the only wet lab within an ED, we have generated a unique biobank of blood samples from the early hours of critical illness.