Critical Care Research

The Section of Critical Care Medicine is a leading presence in the field of critical care research.  Three tenure-track faculty members  (Drs. Mark Hall, W. Joshua Frazier, and Jennifer Muszynski) form a core of researchers focused on the immunobiology of critical illness. Dr. Hall is the Principal Investigator of an NIH-funded clinical trial of immunomodulation following critical trauma in children.  In addition, multiple clinical faculty members engage in investigator-driven local and national clinical research in areas such as pediatric brain injury, hypothermia, glucose control, DKA, ALI/ARDS, and antibiotic use.  Lastly, a robust Quality Improvement research program is in place with strong emphasis on evidence-based, scientifically conducted QI initiatives.

A list of current, ongoing research and QI topics by investigator include:

• Immune monitoring and modulation in pediatric critical injury (trauma): Dr. Mark Hall

• Immune monitoring in pediatric influenza:  Dr. Mark Hall

• Mechanisms of immune regulation in pediatric sepsis:  Dr. Jennifer Muszynski

• Negative regulation of the inflammatory response in murine sepsis:  Dr. W. Joshua Frazier

• Transcranial doppler measurement in pediatric critical illness:  Dr. O’Brien

• Antibiotic use in the pediatric ICU:  Dr. Karsies

• Reduction of preventable harm in the pediatric ICU:  Drs. Khan, Ayad, and Lee

• Echocardiographic evaluation of cardiac function during ECMO support:  Dr. Yates

• The use of in-situ simulation as tool for pediatric critical care education:  Dr. Maa

• Therapeutic hypothermia following pediatric cardiac arrest:  Dr. Lloyd (site Principal Investigator)

• Calfactant for ALI/ARDS in immunocompromised children:  Dr. Chase (site Principal Investigator)

• Intubation safety in the pediatric ICU:  Dr. Lee (site Principal Investigator)

• Glucose management in critically ill children:  Dr. Lee (site Principal Investigator)