Dr Jessica Schults
Dr

Jessica Schults

Email: 
Phone: 
+61 7 334 66077

Background

Dr Jessica Schults is a Queensland Government Clinical Research Fellow and incoming NHMRC Emerging Leadership Fellow (2026) based at the Herston Infectious Diseases Institute and The University of Queensland. A previous paediatric critical care nurse, Jessica has extensive clinical experience in critical care, with a particular passion for ventilator associated infections. Jessica’s research program aims to reduce the burden of healthcare-associated infections through better hospital surveillance, safer invasive device care, and rapid translation of evidence. She is a Chief Investigator on the IVCare adaptive platform trial, which evaluates strategies to prevent catheter-related bloodstream infections, and leads the NHMRC-funded REBUILD project, which aims to strengthen national infection control systems using a learning health system approach. Jessica has a strong interest in the application of digital technologies, including AI-enabled risk prediction and clinical decision support tools. Jessica has strong, established partnerships with national and international healthcare consumers, organisations, and health services. She holds leadership roles with the Australian and New Zealand Intensive Care Society, is a board member for the ANZ Intensive Care Foundation and is a technical advisor to the Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care. Jessica is committed to growing the next generation of clinician-researchers, in-particular, in the underrepresented field of nursing.

Availability

Dr Jessica Schults is:
Available for supervision
Media expert

Fields of research

Acute care Biomedical and Clinical Sciences Clinical sciences Health Sciences Infectious diseases Information and Computing Sciences Information systems Intensive care Paediatrics

Qualifications

  • Postgraduate Diploma in Nursing Science, James Cook University
  • Masters (Research) of Applied Science, Queensland University of Technology
  • Doctor of Philosophy, Griffith University

Research interests

  • Heallthcare-associated infection surveillance

    State wide Delphi study to determine minimum dataset for HAI surveillance.

  • Measuring the burden of hospital acquired complications in the PICU

    We are conducting a retrospective cohort study of 5 years worth of PICU admissions to determine the frequency and cost of HACs in the PICU. Our preliminary work (scoping review and stakeholder consultation) has shown that there is a lack of paediatric specific measures to support quality measurement and practice improvement.

Search Professor Jessica Schults’s works on UQ eSpace

98 works between 2015 and 2025
All (98) Journal Article (86) Conference Publication (12)

21 - 40 of 98 works

2024

Journal Article

Development of a machine learning-based model for predicting the incidence of peripheral intravenous catheter-associated phlebitis

Yasuda, Hideto, Rickard, Claire M., Mimoz, Olivier, Marsh, Nicole, Schults, Jessica A., Drugeon, Bertrand, Kashiura, Masahiro, Kishihara, Yuki, Shinzato, Yutaro, Koike, Midori, Moriya, Takashi, Kotani, Yuki, Kondo, Natsuki, Sekine, Kosuke, Shime, Nobuaki, Morikane, Keita and Abe, Takayuki (2024). Development of a machine learning-based model for predicting the incidence of peripheral intravenous catheter-associated phlebitis. The Journal of Critical Care Medicine, 10 (3), 232-244. doi: 10.2478/jccm-2024-0028

Development of a machine learning-based model for predicting the incidence of peripheral intravenous catheter-associated phlebitis

2024

Journal Article

Peripherally inserted central catheter design and material for reducing catheter failure and complications

Schults, Jessica A., Kleidon, Tricia, Charles, Karina, Young, Emily Rebecca and Ullman, Amanda J. (2024). Peripherally inserted central catheter design and material for reducing catheter failure and complications. The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 6 (6) CD013366, CD013366. doi: 10.1002/14651858.CD013366.pub2

Peripherally inserted central catheter design and material for reducing catheter failure and complications

2024

Journal Article

Designing for transparency and trust: next steps for healthcare associated infection surveillance in Queensland

Schults, Jessica, Henderson, Belinda, Hall, Lisa and Havers, Sally (2024). Designing for transparency and trust: next steps for healthcare associated infection surveillance in Queensland. Infection, Disease and Health, 29 (4), 243-245. doi: 10.1016/j.idh.2024.05.002

Designing for transparency and trust: next steps for healthcare associated infection surveillance in Queensland

2024

Journal Article

Clinical guidance for unfractionated heparin dosing and monitoring in critically ill patients

Samimi, May N., Hale, Andrew, Schults, Jessica, Fischer, Andreas, Roberts, Jason A. and Dhanani, Jayesh (2024). Clinical guidance for unfractionated heparin dosing and monitoring in critically ill patients. Expert Opinion on Pharmacotherapy, 25 (8), 985-997. doi: 10.1080/14656566.2024.2364057

Clinical guidance for unfractionated heparin dosing and monitoring in critically ill patients

2024

Journal Article

Neurodevelopmental outcome and quality of life in children admitted to the paediatric intensive care unit: A single-centre Australian cohort study

Long, Debbie, Minogue, Jessicah, Charles, Karina, Morgan, Suzanne, Schults, Jessica, Le Marsney, Renate, Stocker, Christian, Gibbons, Kristen S. and Dow, Belinda (2024). Neurodevelopmental outcome and quality of life in children admitted to the paediatric intensive care unit: A single-centre Australian cohort study. Australian Critical Care, 37 (6), 903-911. doi: 10.1016/j.aucc.2024.05.001

Neurodevelopmental outcome and quality of life in children admitted to the paediatric intensive care unit: A single-centre Australian cohort study

2024

Journal Article

Dressings and securement devices to prevent complications for peripheral arterial catheters

Schults, Jessica A., Reynolds, Heather, Rickard, Claire M., Culwick, Martin D., Mihala, Gabor, Alexandrou, Evan and Ullman, Amanda J. (2024). Dressings and securement devices to prevent complications for peripheral arterial catheters. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 5 (5) CD013023, 1-71. doi: 10.1002/14651858.CD013023.pub2

Dressings and securement devices to prevent complications for peripheral arterial catheters

2024

Journal Article

Novel peripheral intravenous catheter securement for children and catheter failure reduction: a randomized clinical trial

Charters, Brooke, Foster, Kelly, Lawton, Benjamin, Lee, Leonard, Byrnes, Joshua, Mihala, Gabor, Cassidy, Corey, Schults, Jessica, Kleidon, Tricia M., McCaffery, Ruth, Van, Kristy, Funk, Vanessa and Ullman, Amanda (2024). Novel peripheral intravenous catheter securement for children and catheter failure reduction: a randomized clinical trial. JAMA Pediatrics, 178 (5), 437-445. doi: 10.1001/jamapediatrics.2024.0167

Novel peripheral intravenous catheter securement for children and catheter failure reduction: a randomized clinical trial

2024

Journal Article

Risk factors for arterial catheter failure and complications during critical care hospitalisation: a secondary analysis of a multisite, randomised trial

Schults, Jessica A., Young, Emily R., Marsh, Nicole, Larsen, Emily, Corley, Amanda, Ware, Robert S., Murgo, Marghie, Alexandrou, Evan, McGrail, Matthew, Gowardman, John, Charles, Karina R., Regli, Adrian, Yasuda, Hideto, Rickard, Claire M. and the RSVP Study Investigators (2024). Risk factors for arterial catheter failure and complications during critical care hospitalisation: a secondary analysis of a multisite, randomised trial. Journal of Intensive Care, 12 (1) 12, 12. doi: 10.1186/s40560-024-00719-1

Risk factors for arterial catheter failure and complications during critical care hospitalisation: a secondary analysis of a multisite, randomised trial

2024

Journal Article

Handheld ultrasound devices for peripheral intravenous cannulation: a scoping review

Ray-Barruel, Gillian, Pather, Priscilla, Schults, Jessica A. and Rickard, Claire M. (2024). Handheld ultrasound devices for peripheral intravenous cannulation: a scoping review. Journal of Infusion Nursing, 47 (2), 75-95. doi: 10.1097/nan.0000000000000540

Handheld ultrasound devices for peripheral intravenous cannulation: a scoping review

2024

Journal Article

Establishing a paediatric critical care core quality measure set using a multistakeholder, consensus-driven process

Schults, Jessica A., Charles, Karina R., Millar, Johnny, Rickard, Claire M., Chopra, Vineet, Lake, Anna, Gibbons, Kristen, Long, Debbie, Rahiman, Sarfaraz, Hutching, Katrina, Winderlich, Jacinta, Spotswood, Naomi E., Johansen, Amy, Secombe, Paul, Pizimolas, Georgina A., Tu, Quyen, Waak, Michaela, Allen, Meredith, McMullan, Brendan and Hall, Lisa (2024). Establishing a paediatric critical care core quality measure set using a multistakeholder, consensus-driven process. Critical Care and Resuscitation, 26 (2), 71-79. doi: 10.1016/j.ccrj.2024.01.002

Establishing a paediatric critical care core quality measure set using a multistakeholder, consensus-driven process

2024

Conference Publication

Healthcare-associated complications in critically ill children: A propensity score matched study

Schults, Jessica, Hall, Lisa, Charles, Karina, Rickard, Claire, Le Marsney, Renate, Byrnes, Joshua, Rahiman, Sarfaraz, Long, Debbie, Lake, Anna and Gibbons, Kristen (2024). Healthcare-associated complications in critically ill children: A propensity score matched study. Australian and New Zealand Intensive Care Society/Australian College of Critical Care Nursing Intensive Care Annual Scientific meeting, Brisbane, QLD Australia, 10-12 April 2024. Philadelphia, PA United States: Elsevier. doi: 10.1016/j.aucc.2024.07.003

Healthcare-associated complications in critically ill children: A propensity score matched study

2024

Conference Publication

Family experiences and perceptions of quality and safety of care in PICU

Charles, Karina, Lake, Anna, Spotswood, Naomi E., Poulter, Amber-Louise, Rahiman, Sarfaraz, Long, Debbie and Schults, Jessica (2024). Family experiences and perceptions of quality and safety of care in PICU. Australian and New Zealand Intensive Care Society/Australian College of Critical Care Nursing Intensive Care Annual Scientific meeting, Brisbane, QLD Australia, 10-12 April 2024. Philadelphia, PA United States: Elsevier. doi: 10.1016/j.aucc.2024.07.024

Family experiences and perceptions of quality and safety of care in PICU

2024

Conference Publication

Family functioning post paediatric intensive care admission

Charles, Karina, Gibbons, Kristen, Dow, Belinda, Minogue, Jessicah, Schults, Jessica, Stocker, Christian and Long, Debbie (2024). Family functioning post paediatric intensive care admission. Australian and New Zealand Intensive Care Society/Australian College of Critical Care Nursing Intensive Care Annual Scientific meeting, Brisbane, QLD Australia, 10-12 April 2024. Philadelphia, PA United States: Elsevier. doi: 10.1016/j.aucc.2024.07.035

Family functioning post paediatric intensive care admission

2024

Conference Publication

Defining core quality measures for paediatric critical care using a multi-stakeholder, consensus driven process

Schults, Jessica, Charles, Karina, Rickard, Claire, Miller, Johnny, Lake, Anna, Gibbons, Kristen, Long, Debbie, Rahiman, Sarfaraz, Hutching, Katrina and Hall, Lisa (2024). Defining core quality measures for paediatric critical care using a multi-stakeholder, consensus driven process. Australian and New Zealand Intensive Care Society/Australian College of Critical Care Nursing Intensive Care Annual Scientific meeting, Brisbane, QLD Australia, 10-12 April 2024. Philadelphia, PA United States: Elsevier. doi: 10.1016/j.aucc.2024.07.021

Defining core quality measures for paediatric critical care using a multi-stakeholder, consensus driven process

2023

Journal Article

Implementing paediatric appropriate use criteria for endotracheal suction to reduce complications in mechanically ventilated children with respiratory infections

Schults, Jessica A., Charles, Karina R., Harnischfeger, Jane, Ware, Robert S., Royle, Ruth H., Byrnes, Joshua M., Long, Debbie A., Ullman, Amanda J., Raman, Sainath, Waak, Michaela, Lake, Anna, Cooke, Marie, Irwin, Adam, Tume, Lyvonne and Hall, Lisa (2023). Implementing paediatric appropriate use criteria for endotracheal suction to reduce complications in mechanically ventilated children with respiratory infections. Australian Critical Care, 37 (1), 1-9. doi: 10.1016/j.aucc.2023.09.008

Implementing paediatric appropriate use criteria for endotracheal suction to reduce complications in mechanically ventilated children with respiratory infections

2023

Conference Publication

Securing Central venous catheters Using a subcutaneously anchored secuRement system to prevent cathEter Dislodgment in children: the SECURED randomised controlled trial

Kleidon, Tricia, Schults, Jessica, Roebuck, Derek, Gibson, Victoria, Pierce, Deborah, Royle, Ruth, Ware, Robert, Byrnes, Joshua, Rickard, Claire and Ullman, Amanda (2023). Securing Central venous catheters Using a subcutaneously anchored secuRement system to prevent cathEter Dislodgment in children: the SECURED randomised controlled trial. 2023 ACIPC International Conference, Adelaide, SA Australia, 12-15 November 2023. Amsterdam, Netherlands: Elsevier. doi: 10.1016/j.idh.2023.09.019

Securing Central venous catheters Using a subcutaneously anchored secuRement system to prevent cathEter Dislodgment in children: the SECURED randomised controlled trial

2023

Conference Publication

DART 3: A pragmatic stepped wedge cluster randomised trial of ultrasound guidance to reducing multiple PIVC insertions in hospitalised patients

Schults, Jessica, Marsh, Nicole, Ullman, Amanda, Kleidon, Tricia, Ware, Robert, Byrnes, Joshua, Young, Emily, Hall, Lisa, Keijzers, Gerben, Cullen, Louise, Calleja, Pauline, McTaggart, Steven, Peters, Nathan, Watkins, Stuart, Corley, Amanda, Brown, Christine, Lin, Zhen, Williamson, Frances, Burgess, Luke, Macfarlane, Fiona, Cooke, Marie, Battley, Callan and Rickard, Claire (2023). DART 3: A pragmatic stepped wedge cluster randomised trial of ultrasound guidance to reducing multiple PIVC insertions in hospitalised patients. 2023 ACIPC International Conference, Adelaide, SA Australia, 12 – 15 November 2023. Amsterdam, Netherlands: Elsevier BV. doi: 10.1016/j.idh.2023.09.021

DART 3: A pragmatic stepped wedge cluster randomised trial of ultrasound guidance to reducing multiple PIVC insertions in hospitalised patients

2023

Journal Article

Insights into the barriers and enablers faced by nurse/midwife clinician researchers in Australia

Walsh, Caitlin M., Rickard, Claire M., Charles, Karina R., Ball, Daner and Schults, Jessica A. (2023). Insights into the barriers and enablers faced by nurse/midwife clinician researchers in Australia. Collegian, 30 (6), 843-850. doi: 10.1016/j.colegn.2023.09.005

Insights into the barriers and enablers faced by nurse/midwife clinician researchers in Australia

2023

Journal Article

Midline compared with peripheral intravenous catheters for therapy of 4 days or longer in pediatric patients: a randomized clinical trial

Kleidon, Tricia M., Gibson, Victoria, Cattanach, Paula, Schults, Jessica, Royle, Ruth H., Ware, Robert S., Marsh, Nicole, Pitt, Colleen, Dean, Anna, Byrnes, Joshua, Rickard, Claire M. and Ullman, Amanda J. (2023). Midline compared with peripheral intravenous catheters for therapy of 4 days or longer in pediatric patients: a randomized clinical trial. JAMA Pediatrics, 177 (11), 1132-1140. doi: 10.1001/jamapediatrics.2023.3526

Midline compared with peripheral intravenous catheters for therapy of 4 days or longer in pediatric patients: a randomized clinical trial

2023

Journal Article

Ultrasound-guided PIVC insertion: a randomised controlled trial protocol

Kleidon, Tricia M., Schults, Jessica, Rickard, Claire and Ullman, Amanda J. (2023). Ultrasound-guided PIVC insertion: a randomised controlled trial protocol. British Journal of Nursing, 32 (14), S22-S28. doi: 10.12968/bjon.2023.32.14.s22

Ultrasound-guided PIVC insertion: a randomised controlled trial protocol

Current funding

  • 2025 - 2030
    Comparative effectiveness of Class II/III medical devices to prevent bloodstream infections in central venous catheters: The IVCare adaptive platform RCT
    NHMRC MRFF CTA - Clinical Trials Activity
    Open grant
  • 2025 - 2027
    Reducing the burden of healthcare associated with infection using a learning health systems approach: The REBUILD collaborative.
    NHMRC TCR: 2024 Collaborations in Health Services Research (Stream 1)
    Open grant
  • 2024 - 2025
    Investigating hospital acquired infection surveillance activities-perspectives of infection control practitioners in Queensland public hospitals
    Australasian College for Infection Prevention and Control Ltd
    Open grant
  • 2023 - 2025
    Strengthening Hospital Associated Infection surveillance in Queensland: making sense through consensus
    Queensland Health Clinical Research Fellowships
    Open grant
  • 2021 - 2026
    Joint Research Fellowships (University Qld & Metro North Hospital & Health Service): Senior Research Fellow; Clinical Research Nurse; Research Team Leader
    Metro North Hospital and Health Service
    Open grant
  • 2021 - 2025
    Difficult peripheral intravenous catheter insertion: Australian considerations for sustainable implementation of ultrasound guided procedures
    NHMRC Partnership Projects
    Open grant

Past funding

  • 2024 - 2025
    HAI-TECH: Healthcare-Associated Infection Tracking with Enhanced Connectivity and Health Informatics
    Metro North Hospital and Health Service
    Open grant
  • 2022 - 2024
    Prediction of catheter associated bloodstream infection and hospital-onset sepsis events in critically ill adults
    Heidi-CSIRO IDR and AMR Projects
    Open grant
  • 2021 - 2023
    Promoting safe, high quality care for every child: harnessing binational knowledge and expertise to develop quality indicators for paediatric critical care
    Intensive Care Foundation
    Open grant
  • 2021
    Measuring the incidence of hospital-acquired complications in paediatric critical care, their effect on duration of ventilation and economic impact -CHF Mary McConnell Grant led by Griffith University
    Griffith University
    Open grant
  • 2021 - 2022
    Preventing healthcare acquired, ventilator- associated conditions in the PICU: Implementation of new airway clearance guidance
    The Children's Hospital Foundation
    Open grant
  • 2020 - 2022
    Improving endotracheal suction practice in the PICU
    ACCCN Diane Chamberlain Research Seeding Grant
    Open grant

Availability

Dr Jessica Schults is:
Available for supervision

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Supervision history

Current supervision

Completed supervision

Enquiries

Contact Dr Jessica Schults directly for media enquiries about:

  • harm measurement
  • infectious disease
  • paediatrics
  • patient safety
  • ventilation

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