Global Health
Current Projects:
African Surgical Outcomes Study 2 (ASOS-2)
- The landmark ASOS study identified that surgical mortality in LMICs is twice that of high-income countries, despite the surgical population being younger with less co-morbid disease. ASOS-2 is an international African, multicentre, cluster randomised trial of a complex intervention to reduce mortality after surgery. Professor Rupert Pearse is part of the trial leadership group and Tim Stephens is leading the mixed-methods process evaluation of the trial.
PErioperative Respiratory care and Outcomes for patieNts underGoing high risk abdomINal surgery trial (PENGUIN)
- Pneumonia and surgical site infections are the most common complications following surgery across the world, placing significant financial costs on healthcare systems. The increased costs can be a major problem in countries with lower incomes where patients often pay for their own treatment. PENGUIN is a global randomised clinical trial. Funding = National Institute for Health Research (NIHR).
Family SuppleMented pAtient monitoRing afTEr surgery (SMARTER) trial (formerly P-CALM)
- Multiple studies, including work from our group and collaborators have identified failure to rescue as a major contributor to post-operative mortality in LMICs. Surgical mortality is twice that of high-income countries, increasing to 50-fold for procedures such as caesarean section. The SMARTER trial is a single centre, cluster randomised trial of a task shifting intervention that will enhance post-operative surveillance for patients. Funding = National Institute of Academic Anaesthesia. PI = Adam Hewitt-Smith.
Mixed methods study of mortality after maternal haemorrhage in Uganda
- Maternal haemorrhage is the leading cause of death during childbirth worldwide, with over 94,000 women dying per year in LMICs as a result. Survivors face complications that place a huge burden on families, communities, and fragile health systems. This is a six-month, prospective, mixed-methods study of the causes of maternal haemorrhage in Uganda, collecting a range of data to understand delays in seeking maternal care, accessing care and time to key in-hospital interventions. Funding = GCRF Large Grant (QMUL). PI = Fred Bulamba.