Children's Burns and Trauma Research Group - Completed projects

Investigators: Dr Leila Cuttle and Ms Margit Kempf

Dr Leila Cuttle, Professor Kimble and Ms Margit Kempf have undertaken a series of studies, conducted in parallel with studies performed by Dr John Harvey’s team in Westmead, Sydney to produce evidence for optimal first-aid in burns. This research has been internationally recognised and has had an impact globally. Outcome: The research and first-aid recommendations have been adopted by the Australia & New Zealand Burns Association, British Burn Association, American Burn association, Australian Resuscitation Council, St John Ambulance and State Ambulance Services.

Our team is also focused on burns and trauma prevention, with a particular focus on drowning, low speed vehicle run over, cycling, ATV and motorbike injury, equestrian and wheeled recreational devices to name a few. Professor Kimble, Dr Belinda Wallis, Dr Bronwyn Griffin and the team have previously shown that the incidence of paediatric trauma can be decreased by surveillance, collaboration & targeted campaigns. Data is the most powerful tool for legislative change, and since the group’s first prevention paper in 2001 they have published a further 25, each of which has been followed by a targeted prevention campaign.

Working with organisations such as Kidsafe, Queensland Injury Prevention Council and The Queensland Trauma Network (which Prof Kimble holds a position on the Boards), the team will continue to be strong advocates for paediatric burn and trauma prevention.

Outcome: Improved community awareness of cause of burn & other injuries. Decrease in incidence of injuries.

Telemedicine for Paediatric Burns

Investigators: Professor Kimble, Professor Richard Woorton and Associate Professor Anthony Smith

An evidence-based telemedicine service was established for the post-acute care of burns patients.  This service is now one of the largest in the world, & recognised internationally as an important model of care. The service has treated over 2000 children & saved patient travel the equivalent distance of travelling from the earth to the moon six times over. This work has been published in a series of seven papers & a book chapter. Outcome: The success of this service has recently facilitated the creation of similar telemedicine clinics for general paediatric surgery & for children with vascular anomalies.

Development and Studying the use of an Electronic Interactive Hand Held Device to Deliver Procedural Preparation and Distraction Therapy to Children undergoing Medical Procedures

Investigators: Professor Kimble, and his team in collaboration with Queensland University of Technology and latterly Diversionary Technologies Ltd

This study enabled the development of a hand held deviceto provide discipline and age specific pre-procedural preparation and distraction for children undergoing painful or distressing procedures. The “Ditto” device has completed nine randomised controlled trials (RCT) including one international multicentre RCT. These have shown that “Ditto” consistently reduces pain and anxiety compared to a standard distraction control (including commercial hand held electronic games) in hospital areas such as Burns, Orthopaedics, Emergency Medicine and Operating Theatre. In 2011 this device went onto the market to benefit children worldwide. The research has gained international recognition and has won numerous awards. Outcome: Three roll-outs of Ditto devices have occurred in Queensland Health, and are now in many children’s hospitals world-wide.

1. We have studied & validated the modalities of 3D digital photography, laser Doppler, Ultrasound & Visitrak (a tool to measure burn surface area) in children. These tools have been incorporated into everyday burn assessment improving accuracy and allowing treatment decisions to be made earlier. The use of these tools in trials has allowed for accurate patient comparisons and reliable quantitative data.
2. The Study of Microskin Camouflage for Mature Scarring: Microskin is a computer colour matched spray-on skin camouflage which is durable, lasting for up to five days after application. The team in collaboration with Professor Graham Martin from UQ Dept of Psychiatry have studied this locally developed product to determine whether it offers lasting psychosocial benefit to paediatric burns patients. Two RCTs have been completed, the second involving all major paediatric burn centres in Australia and New Zealand. This was the first multicentre burns RCT ever to be performed in Australasia. This award winning research indicates that Microskin improves psychosocial functioning in paediatric burn patients and is well-tolerated and acceptable. Further trials are planned studying the effects in the adult burns population, children and adults with vascular malformations, and as an agent which can be used for scar management in immature scars.
3. The pathogenesis of hypertrophic scarring: Appropriate models are vital to the development of new burns treatments. For several years Professor Kimble and his team have been studying the pathogenesis of hypertrophic scarring, and have successfully created a burns model which heals with true hypertrophic scaring. This internationally acclaimed model has featured in 24 of his papers to date in various studies to develop novel burns treatments and has been adopted by key groups around the world.