Research project to deliver world-first data on impacts of chest infections post surgery

Dr Ianthe Boden

“Despite the seriousness of this complication, we know little about how common it is, how much it costs hospitals and how it impacts a person’s recovery.”

Congratulations to Launceston General Hospital physiotherapist Dr Ianthe Boden, who has secured a prestigious Investigator Grant from the National Health and Medical Research Council.

The $564,120 grant will support Dr Boden’s ongoing research examining the ways to prevent pneumonia and improve patient recovery after major surgery, for both patients and hospitals.

Her work is expected to deliver world-first data as she investigates how best to prevent pulmonary complications after surgery.

Postoperative pulmonary complications (PCCs), such as pneumonia, can occur in one third of all patients undergoing major abdominal surgery or cardiothoracic surgery.

 “Contracting a chest infection after major surgery can be catastrophic,” Ianthe said.

 “Despite the seriousness of this complication, we know little about how common it is, how much it costs hospitals and how it impacts a person’s recovery.

 “My research will provide world-first data on the impact of chest infections after major surgery, treatment guidelines for clinicians, and online methods to deliver breathing training before surgery – a treatment known to prevent chest infections after surgery.”

The National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) Investigator Grants are awarded to emerging and established leaders in health and medical research across Australia.

With funding support from the Clifford Craig Foundation, Dr Boden’s research in this area commenced more than a decade ago.

This included her randomised control trial ‘ICEAGE’ (Incidence of Complications following Emergency Abdominal Surgery – Get Exercising) which was awarded the PEDro’ prize for best trial at the World Confederation of Physical Therapy in 2019.

More recently, the pilot phase was also published in the prestigious US journal, the Journal of Trauma and Acute Care Surgery.

The study is the first of its kind in the world to explore if intensive physical therapy in the first five days after emergency abdominal surgery can prevent pneumonia and help patients get better quicker.

Clifford Craig Foundation CEO Peter Milne said Northern Tasmania should be very proud of this exciting work.

“It is a wonderful achievement for a local clinician researcher to be recognised with a grant from the NHMRC,” Mr Milne said.

“This will enable Ianthe to further her research into the prevention of chest infection after surgery, which was initially made possible through a grant from the Clifford Craig Foundation.”