Associate Professor Naomi Hammond, a distinguished registered nurse and researcher, has been recognised by Research Magazine as Australia’s foremost figure in critical nursing research for 2024. Armed with a Master’s degree in critical care nursing and public health and a doctorate specialising in intensive care and fluid resuscitation practices, Hammond has spearheaded transformative advancements within the medical community.

Her ground-breaking research has unearthed crucial insights into the utilisation of intravenous (IV) fluids, highlighting how commonly employed solutions worldwide can heighten the risk of acute kidney injury and other adverse reactions. Hammond’s findings not only challenge established medical protocols but also advocate for the implementation of safer and more efficient treatment methodologies in critical care settings.

In an interview with The Australian, Hammond emphasised the evolving perspective on IV fluids.

“We have come to understand over the past two decades that IV fluids should be treated with the same scrutiny as any medication; their effects vary across different patient demographics.”

Collaborating closely with the critical care program at the George Institute for Global Health and the Australian and New Zealand Intensive Care Society clinical trials group, Hammond has conducted extensive randomised trials comparing various IV fluid solutions on a large scale.
IV fluids play a crucial role in supporting patients requiring life-saving interventions for severe or life-threatening conditions, helping to maintain blood volume and sustain cardiovascular function. In Australia and globally, normal saline, a sterile salt and water solution, is predominantly used for IV resuscitation, alongside albumin derived from human blood, especially for critically ill patients. However, Hammond’s research has prompted a reassessment of hydroxyethyl starch, a synthetic product once commonly used worldwide, due to its documented risks and association with increased acute kidney injury.

Alarmingly, even after these results have been made public, some countries are still using hydroxyethyl starch as a treatment option for patients.

“Hydroxyethyl starch is still used in India and throughout Asia; even though there’s clear evidence of harm, there’s still a market for it”, Hammond told The Australian.

This persistence highlights significant challenges in aligning clinical practice with evidence-based medicine and ensuring patient safety across diverse healthcare landscapes.

A crucial aspect of Hammond’s research involves conducting translational studies both domestically and internationally to evaluate how research findings influence clinical practices globally.

She notes, “We've observed that clinical practice often varies significantly based on individual clinicians and hospitals, rather than uniformly following evidence-based guidelines.”

This variability underscores the ongoing challenge of bridging the gap between research advancements and their application in real-world healthcare settings.

Hammond’s pioneering studies have not only reshaped clinical practices but also underscored the imperative of evidence-based medicine in optimising patient outcomes and safety across critical care settings. Her ongoing dedication continues to drive innovation and excellence in critical nursing, setting new benchmarks for research and patient care alike.