Overview
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
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
-
Development of core indicators for paediatric intensive care quality and safety measurement
Australia and New Zealand Delphi study to define and select a core set of PICU quality indicators to measure and benchmark care quality in PICU
-
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.
Works
Search Professor Jessica Schults’s works on UQ eSpace
2022
Journal Article
Ventilator weaning and extubation practices in critically ill children: An Australian and New Zealand survey of practice
Schults, Jessica A., Charles, Karina, Harnischfeger, Jane, Erikson, Simon, Burren, Juerg, Waak, Michaela, Blackwood, Bronagh, Tume, Lyvonne N. and Long, Debbie (2022). Ventilator weaning and extubation practices in critically ill children: An Australian and New Zealand survey of practice. Australian Critical Care, 36 (4), 509-514. doi: 10.1016/j.aucc.2022.06.004
2022
Journal Article
Peripheral intravenous catheter insertion and use of ultrasound in patients with difficult intravenous access: Australian patient and practitioner perspectives to inform future implementation strategies
Schults, Jessica A., Calleja, Pauline, Slaughter, Eugene, Paterson, Rebecca, Rickard, Claire M., Booker, Catriona, Marsh, Nicole, Fenn, Mary, Kelly, Jenny, Snelling, Peter J., Byrnes, Joshua, Keijzers, Gerben and Cooke, Marie (2022). Peripheral intravenous catheter insertion and use of ultrasound in patients with difficult intravenous access: Australian patient and practitioner perspectives to inform future implementation strategies. PLoS One, 17 (6) e0269788, 1-15. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0269788
2022
Journal Article
Comparison of ultrasound‐guided peripheral intravenous catheter insertion with landmark technique in paediatric patients: a systematic review and meta‐analysis
Kleidon, Tricia M., Schults, Jessica, Paterson, Rebecca, Rickard, Claire M. and Ullman, Amanda J. (2022). Comparison of ultrasound‐guided peripheral intravenous catheter insertion with landmark technique in paediatric patients: a systematic review and meta‐analysis. Journal of Paediatrics and Child Health, 58 (6), 953-961. doi: 10.1111/jpc.15985
2022
Journal Article
Experiences of children with central venous access devices: a mixed-methods study
Ullman, Amanda J., Kleidon, Tricia M., Gibson, Victoria, Takashima, Mari, Schults, Jessica, Cattanach, Paula, Paterson, Rebecca, Cooke, Marie, Byrnes, Joshua, Saiyed, Masnoon, Chopra, Vineet and Rickard, Claire (2022). Experiences of children with central venous access devices: a mixed-methods study. Pediatric Research, 93 (1), 160-167. doi: 10.1038/s41390-022-02054-3
2022
Journal Article
Methodology minute: Utilising the RAND/UCLA appropriateness method to develop guidelines for infection prevention
Charles, Karina, Hall, Lisa, Ullman, Amanda and Schults, Jessica A (2022). Methodology minute: Utilising the RAND/UCLA appropriateness method to develop guidelines for infection prevention. American Journal of Infection Control, 50 (3), 345-348. doi: 10.1016/j.ajic.2021.12.012
2022
Journal Article
Improving peripheral venous cannula insertion in children: a mixed methods study to develop the DIVA key
Schults, Jessica A., Kleidon, Tricia M., Gibson, Victoria, Ware, Robert S., Monteagle, Emily, Paterson, Rebecca, Charles, Karina, Keys, Adam, McBride, Craig A., McTaggart, Steven, Lawton, Benjamin, Macfarlane, Fiona, Sells, Chloe, Rickard, Claire M. and Ullman, Amanda J. (2022). Improving peripheral venous cannula insertion in children: a mixed methods study to develop the DIVA key. BMC Health Services Research, 22 (1) 220, 220. doi: 10.1186/s12913-022-07605-2
2022
Journal Article
Pediatric central venous access devices: practice, performance, and costs
Ullman, Amanda J., Gibson, Victoria, Takashima, Mari D., Kleidon, Tricia M., Schults, Jessica, Saiyed, Masnoon, Cattanach, Paula, Paterson, Rebecca, Cooke, Marie, Rickard, Claire M., Byrnes, Joshua and Chopra, Vineet (2022). Pediatric central venous access devices: practice, performance, and costs. Pediatric Research, 92 (5), 1381-1390. doi: 10.1038/s41390-022-01977-1
2022
Journal Article
Comparing ivWatch biosensor to standard care to identify extravasation injuries in the paediatric intensive care: a protocol for a randomised controlled trial
McBride, Craig Antony, Rahiman, Sarfaraz, Schlapbach, Luregn J., Schults, Jessica A., Kleidon, Tricia M., Kennedy, Melanie, Paterson, Rebecca S., Byrnes, Joshua, Ware, Robert S. and Ullman, Amanda Judith (2022). Comparing ivWatch biosensor to standard care to identify extravasation injuries in the paediatric intensive care: a protocol for a randomised controlled trial. BMJ Open, 12 (2) e047765, e047765. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2020-047765
2022
Journal Article
On a quest to prevent harm and safeguard paediatric venous catheters – A randomized control trial protocol
Charters, Brooke, Foster, Kelly, Lawton, Benjamin, Cassidy, Corey, Byrnes, Joshua, Mihala, Gabor, Schults, Jessica, Kleidon, Tricia, McCaffery, Ruth, Van, Kristy and Ullman, Amanda (2022). On a quest to prevent harm and safeguard paediatric venous catheters – A randomized control trial protocol. Vascular Access, 16 (3), 18-29. doi: 10.5737/va.v16i3.34
2022
Journal Article
Factors influencing pediatric hematology/oncology nurse retention: a scoping review
Macintyre, Madeleine R., Brown, Brandon W. J. and Schults, Jessica A. (2022). Factors influencing pediatric hematology/oncology nurse retention: a scoping review. Journal of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology Nursing, 39 (6), 402-417. doi: 10.1177/27527530221099899
2021
Journal Article
Understanding consumer preference for vascular access safety and quality measurement: an international survey
Schults, Jessica, Paterson, Rebecca, Kleidon, Tricia, Cooke, Marie, Ullman, Amanda, McNeil, Keith, Chopra, Vineet, Charles, Karina, Ray-Barruel, Gillian, Marsh, Nicole, Sullivan, Clair, Sturgess, David J. and Rickard, Claire (2021). Understanding consumer preference for vascular access safety and quality measurement: an international survey. Australian Health Review, 46 (1), 12-20. doi: 10.1071/AH21053
2021
Journal Article
The Paediatric AirWay Suction (PAWS) appropriateness guide for endotracheal suction interventions
Schults, Jessica, Charles, Karina, Long, Debbie, Brown, Georgia, Copnell, Beverley, Dargaville, Peter, Davies, Kylie, Erikson, Simon, Forrest, Kate, Harnischfeger, Jane, Irwin, Adam, Kendrik, Tina, Lake, Anna, Ntoumenopoulos, George, Waak, Michaela, Woodard, Mark, Tume, Lyvonne, Cooke, Marie, Mitchell, Marion, Hall, Lisa and Ullman, Amanda (2021). The Paediatric AirWay Suction (PAWS) appropriateness guide for endotracheal suction interventions. Australian Critical Care, 35 (6), 651-660. doi: 10.1016/j.aucc.2021.10.005
2021
Journal Article
Techniques and technologies to improve peripheral intravenous catheter outcomes in pediatric patients: systematic review and meta-analysis
Kleidon, Tricia M., Schults, Jessica, Rickard, Claire M. and Ullman, Amanda J. (2021). Techniques and technologies to improve peripheral intravenous catheter outcomes in pediatric patients: systematic review and meta-analysis. Journal of Hospital Medicine, 16 (12), 742-750. doi: 10.12788/jhm.3718
2021
Journal Article
Appropriate use criteria for endotracheal suction interventions in mechanically ventilated children: The RAND/UCLA development process
Schults, Jessica A., Charles, Karina, Long, Debbie, Erikson, Simon, Brown, Georgia, Waak, Michaela, Tume, Lyvonne, Hall, Lisa and Ullman, Amanda J. (2021). Appropriate use criteria for endotracheal suction interventions in mechanically ventilated children: The RAND/UCLA development process. Australian Critical Care, 35 (6), 661-667. doi: 10.1016/j.aucc.2021.10.006
2021
Conference Publication
Recommendations for endotracheal suction interventions in children with highly infectious respiratory disease: results from a RAND/UCLA binational appropriateness panel
Schults, Jessica, Charles, Karina, Long, Debbie, Erikson, Simon, Irwin, Adam, Waak, Michaela, Hall, Lisa and Ullman, Amanda (2021). Recommendations for endotracheal suction interventions in children with highly infectious respiratory disease: results from a RAND/UCLA binational appropriateness panel. 9th International Australasian College for Infection Prevention and Control (ACIPC) online conference, Online, 7-10 November 2021. Amsterdam, Netherlands: Elsevier. doi: 10.1016/j.idh.2021.09.031
2021
Journal Article
The s2c study – securing cannulas in combat: a simulation-based mixed-method study
Mackie, Benjamin R., Williams, Christopher, Tribe, Benjamin, Muscat, Jessica, Clarke, Bradley, Schults, Jessica, Ray-Barruel, Gillian, Marsh, Nicole, Delport, Aldon and Alvarenga, Darwin (2021). The s2c study – securing cannulas in combat: a simulation-based mixed-method study. Vascular Access, 7 (2), 12-18. doi: 10.33235/va.7.2.12-18
2021
Journal Article
Comparison of midline catheters and peripherally inserted central catheters to reduce the need for general anesthesia in children with respiratory disease: A feasibility randomized controlled trial
Kleidon, Tricia M., Schults, Jessica A., Wainwright, Claire, Mihala, Gabor, Gibson, Victoria, Saiyed, Masnoon, Byrnes, Joshua, Cattanach, Paula, Macfarlane, Fiona, Graham, Nicolette, Shevill, Elizabeth and Ullman, Amanda J. (2021). Comparison of midline catheters and peripherally inserted central catheters to reduce the need for general anesthesia in children with respiratory disease: A feasibility randomized controlled trial. Pediatric Anesthesia, 31 (9) pan.14229, 985-995. doi: 10.1111/pan.14229
2021
Journal Article
Selection and reporting of outcome measures used in long-term follow-up studies of children and adolescents with chronic pain: a scoping review
Schults, Jessica A., Paterson, Rebecca S., Cooke, Marie, Richards, Julianne, Charles, Karina, Raithatha, Bhavesh, Theodoros, Joanne and Alcock, Mark (2021). Selection and reporting of outcome measures used in long-term follow-up studies of children and adolescents with chronic pain: a scoping review. Journal of Child Health Care, 26 (4) 13674935211026124, 1-23. doi: 10.1177/13674935211026124
2021
Journal Article
Midazolam exposure in the paediatric intensive care unit predicts acute post-traumatic stress symptoms in children
Long, Debbie, Gibbons, Kristen, Le Brocque, Robyne, Schults, Jessica A., Kenardy, Justin and Dow, Belinda (2021). Midazolam exposure in the paediatric intensive care unit predicts acute post-traumatic stress symptoms in children. Australian Critical Care, 35 (4), 408-414. doi: 10.1016/j.aucc.2021.06.004
2021
Journal Article
Midline catheters — A good alternative device?
Marsh, Nicole, Corley, Amanda, Schults, Jessica A., Vemuri, Kanti and Rickard, Claire M. (2021). Midline catheters — A good alternative device?. Anaesthesia Critical Care and Pain Medicine, 40 (3) 100885, 100885. doi: 10.1016/j.accpm.2021.100885
Funding
Current funding
Past funding
Supervision
Availability
- Dr Jessica Schults is:
- Available for supervision
Before you email them, read our advice on how to contact a supervisor.
Supervision history
Current supervision
-
Doctor Philosophy
Designing and Implementing a Clinician-Led Protocol for Heparinisation Using Optimal Targets- anti Xa vs APTT
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Jason Roberts, Associate Professor Jayesh Dhanani
-
Master Philosophy
Designing and implementing a nurse-led electronic medical record (EMR) integrated heparinisation protocol using optimal targets (anti Xa vs APTT)
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Jason Roberts, Associate Professor Jayesh Dhanani
-
Doctor Philosophy
Techniques and Technologies to Improve First-Time PIVC Insertion Success in Paediatrics
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Claire Rickard, Professor Amanda Ullman
-
Doctor Philosophy
Co-designing a healthcare policy review process amongst nursing and midwifery
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Claire Rickard
-
Doctor Philosophy
The IVCare adaptive platform trial: Towards zero bloodstream infections in IV catheters
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Eoin O'Sullivan, Professor Claire Rickard
-
Doctor Philosophy
The effectiveness of peripheral intravenous catheter insertion techniques and technologies to improve insertion success and performance
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Claire Rickard, Professor Amanda Ullman
Media
Enquiries
Contact Dr Jessica Schults directly for media enquiries about:
- harm measurement
- infectious disease
- paediatrics
- patient safety
- ventilation
Need help?
For help with finding experts, story ideas and media enquiries, contact our Media team: