Peninsula Health is making a significant contribution to a major international study aimed at improving recovery outcomes for patients after surgery.
The SNaPP (Sugammadex, Neostigmine and Postoperative Pulmonary Complications) study is a large, four-year clinical trial examining the effects of different drugs used to reverse muscle relaxation after surgery.
Peninsula Health is proud to have become a key player in this study, with an impressive enrolment of 100 patients since November 2023, second only to the Alfred Hospital in Melbourne.
“A big shout out to all our anaesthetists, junior doctors, APS team and nurses who worked collaboratively together to achieve this milestone,” shares Clinical Nurse Specialist, Natasha Gatt. “My drive to recruit would not have been achieved without your participation!”
The study involves 3,500 patients across 20 hospitals in Australia, New Zealand, and Hong Kong. Adult patients undergoing abdominal or thoracic surgery under general anaesthesia are randomly assigned to receive either sugammadex or neostigmine. The primary goal is to determine how these drugs impact the rate of postoperative lung complications.
Funded by a $2.9 million grant from the Medical Research Future Fund, the study aims to provide critical insights that could enhance postoperative care globally.
Peninsula Health’s active participation highlights its commitment to advancing medical research and improving patient outcomes. The findings from this study could lead to significant improvements in postoperative care, benefiting patients both locally and worldwide.