Centre for Clinical Research in Emergency Medicine

The Centre for Clinical Research in Emergency Medicine (CCREM) is a unique research unit established at Royal Perth Hospital. Our research involves collaboration between academic emergency physicians working in the Emergency Department (ED), a team of research nurses recruiting patients presenting to the ED with acute illnesses, and scientists analysing samples in the laboratory using immunological and molecular biological techniques.

CCREM investigates a number of conditions within the spectrum of disease treated by EDs including:

• sepsis
• trauma
• anaphylaxis
• geriatric syndromes
• chest pain
• snake and spider envenoming
• drug overdose.

Clinical information and special blood samples are collected from patients while they are in the ED, providing an invaluable tool for investigating the underlying mechanisms of disease.

CCREM research includes observational studies and laboratory work designed to uncover the mechanisms of disease, and randomised controlled trials designed to improve clinical care. We also endeavour to integrate laboratory and clinical research, using laboratory studies to help us understand the results of clinical trials.

CCREM provides opportunities for both laboratory and clinical post-graduate honours and PhD students, and research terms for Emergency Medicine Advanced Trainees at Royal Perth Hospital.

About us

The Centre for Clinical Research in Emergency Medicine (CCREM) is a Centre within the Harry Perkins Institute of Medical Research, established in 2008 with start-up and ongoing funding from Royal Perth Hospital, the Royal Perth Hospital Medical Research Foundation and the University of Western Australia. Our academics hold appointments within the Discipline of Emergency Medicine, University of Western Australia.

Our philosophy is that good clinical research is an essential core activity that should run 24 hours a day and is integral to the function of our Emergency Departments. Structured research protocols bring high quality evidence-based practice to the bedside right now to benefit our patients, and help us to improve treatments and outcomes in the future.

Our principal aim is to improve patient care and clinical outcomes in the ED. This includes reducing the number of patients requiring ED care through the development of strategies to prevent serious illness, and reducing the time patients are required to stay in hospital by improving the emergency care they receive. The leadership team of CCREM have outstanding national and international profiles, and are highly regarded in delivering best practice clinical care to Emergency Departments.

Our research is achieved by working within a national and international collaborative network including (but not limited to) researchers working in the fields of toxicology, immunology, allergy, respiratory medicine, intensive care, geriatrics, cardiology, microbiology, clinical pharmacology, pharmaceutical sciences and statistics. We are the leading clinical trials centre for Emergency Medicine in Australasia, with the only wet lab within an Emergency Department. As such, our core research themes are:

• Determining the cellular mechanisms that amplify anaphylactic, septic and haemorrhagic shock
• Improving outcomes from severe sepsis and respiratory emergencies (specifically septic shock, pneumonia, anaphylaxis, pneumothorax and thromboembolic disease) through a series of multicentre clinical trials informed by our ongoing mechanistic research
• Admission avoidance for elderly patients and others with complex needs
• Evaluating the effectiveness of systems of care.

Over the last 5 years, research by CCREM has resulted in major changes and/or justifications for clinical approaches to chest pain, critical illness, anaphylaxis, snake envenoming and redback spider bite. Ongoing studies are expected to have similar impacts in the management of sepsis, respiratory emergencies and acute presentations in the elderly. Our studies focus on patient oriented outcomes, and also address economics and avoiding unnecessary (or even harmful) use of drugs and interventions.