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
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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
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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
2021
Journal Article
Do antimicrobial and antithrombogenic peripherally inserted central catheter (PICC) materials prevent catheter complications? An analysis of 42,562 hospitalized medical patients
Ullman, Amanda J., Paterson, Rebecca S., Schults, Jessica A., Kleidon, Tricia M., August, Deanne, O'Malley, Megan, Horowitz, Jennifer, Rickard, Claire M., Paje, David and Chopra, Vineet (2021). Do antimicrobial and antithrombogenic peripherally inserted central catheter (PICC) materials prevent catheter complications? An analysis of 42,562 hospitalized medical patients. Infection Control and Hospital Epidemiology, 43 (4), 1-8. doi: 10.1017/ice.2021.141
2021
Journal Article
Point-of-care hand-held ultrasound for peripheral intravenous cannulation: a scoping review protocol
Pather, Priscilla, Schults, Jessica, Rickard, Claire and RayBarruel, Gillian (2021). Point-of-care hand-held ultrasound for peripheral intravenous cannulation: a scoping review protocol. Vascular Access, 7 (1). doi: 10.33235/va.7.1.16-21
2021
Journal Article
Peripherally Inserted Central catheter iNnovation to reduce Infections and Clots (the PICNIC trial): a randomised controlled trial protocol
Ullman, Amanda J., August, Deanne, Kleidon, Tricia, Walker, Rachel, Marsh, Nicole M., Bulmer, Andrew, Pearch, Benjamin, Runnegar, Naomi, Schults, Jessica A., Leema, Joanne, Lee-Archer, Paul, Biles, Cathy, Southam, Katrina, Gibson, Victoria, Byrnes, Joshua, Ware, Robert S., Chopra, Vineet, Coulthard, Alan, Mollee, Peter, Rickard, Claire M. and Harris, Patrick N. A. (2021). Peripherally Inserted Central catheter iNnovation to reduce Infections and Clots (the PICNIC trial): a randomised controlled trial protocol. BMJ Open, 11 (4) e042475, 1-7. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2020-042475
2021
Journal Article
myPainPal: Co-creation of a mHealth app for the management of chronic pain in young people
Cooke, Marie, Richards, Julianne, Tjondronegoro, Dian, Raj Chakraborty, Prithwi, Jauncey-Cooke, Jacqueline, Andresen, Elizabeth, Theodoros, Joanne, Paterson, Rebecca, Schults, Jessica, Raithatha, Bhavesh, Wilson, Susan and Alcock, Mark (2021). myPainPal: Co-creation of a mHealth app for the management of chronic pain in young people. Informatics for Health and Social Care, 46 (3), 1-15. doi: 10.1080/17538157.2021.1892697
2021
Journal Article
O043 / #891: CHILD AND PARENT DISTRESS FOLLOWING PAEDIATRIC CRITICAL ILLNESS AND ITS IMPACTS ON FAMILY FUNCTIONING: A RETROSPECTIVE STUDY.
Minogue, J., Dow, B., Hamblin, S., Schults, J., Stocker, C. and Long, D. (2021). O043 / #891: CHILD AND PARENT DISTRESS FOLLOWING PAEDIATRIC CRITICAL ILLNESS AND ITS IMPACTS ON FAMILY FUNCTIONING: A RETROSPECTIVE STUDY.. Pediatric Critical Care Medicine, 22 (Supplement 1 3S), 26-26. doi: 10.1097/01.pcc.0000738276.84376.ed
2021
Journal Article
‘How many audits do you really need?’: Learnings from 5-years of peripheral intravenous catheter audits
Marsh, Nicole, Larsen, Emily, Hewer, Barbara, Monteagle, Emily, Ware, Robert S., Schults, Jessica and Rickard, Claire M. (2021). ‘How many audits do you really need?’: Learnings from 5-years of peripheral intravenous catheter audits. Infection, Disease and Health, 26 (3), 182-188. doi: 10.1016/j.idh.2021.03.001
2021
Journal Article
Peripherally inserted central catheter thrombosis after placement via electrocardiography vs traditional methods
Kleidon, Tricia M., Horowitz, Jennifer, Rickard, Claire M., Ullman, Amanda J., Marsh, Nicole, Schults, Jessica, Ratz, David and Chopra, Vineet (2021). Peripherally inserted central catheter thrombosis after placement via electrocardiography vs traditional methods. American Journal of Medicine, 134 (2), e79-e88. doi: 10.1016/j.amjmed.2020.06.010
2021
Journal Article
Ranitidine for pruritus management in an infant
Raithatha, B., Kotzur, C., Al Mahdy, A., Schults, J., Richards, J. and Rosen, D. (2021). Ranitidine for pruritus management in an infant. Anaesthesia Reports, 9 (1), 26-27. doi: 10.1002/anr3.12096
2021
Journal Article
Endotracheal suction interventions in mechanically ventilated children: an integrative review to inform evidence-based practice
Schults, Jessica. A., Mitchell, Marion. L., Cooke, Marie., Long, Debbie. A., Ferguson, Alexandra and Morrow, Brenda (2021). Endotracheal suction interventions in mechanically ventilated children: an integrative review to inform evidence-based practice. Australian Critical Care, 34 (1), 92-102. doi: 10.1016/j.aucc.2020.05.003
2020
Journal Article
Prevention of occlusion of cEnTral lInes for children with cancer: an implementation study
Ullman, Amanda J., Condon, Paula, Edwards, Rachel, Gibson, Victoria, Takashima, Mari, Schults, Jessica, Dean, Anna, Cattanach, Paula, Nicholls, Wayne, Osborne, Sonya, Rickard, Claire M., Cooke, Marie and Kleidon, Tricia (2020). Prevention of occlusion of cEnTral lInes for children with cancer: an implementation study. Journal of Paediatrics and Child Health, 56 (12), 1875-1884. doi: 10.1111/jpc.15067
2020
Journal Article
Normal Saline and Lung Recruitment With Paediatric Endotracheal Suction: A Review and Critical Appraisal of Practice Recommendations
Schults, Jessica A., Cooke, Marie, Long, Debbie A. and Mitchell, Marion L. (2020). Normal Saline and Lung Recruitment With Paediatric Endotracheal Suction: A Review and Critical Appraisal of Practice Recommendations. Dimensions of Critical Care Nursing, 39 (6), 321-328. doi: 10.1097/DCC.0000000000000442
2020
Journal Article
Evaluating an ultrasound-guided peripheral intravenous cannulation training program for emergency clinicians: An Australian perspective
Archer-Jones, Amy, Sweeny, Amy, Schults, Jessica A., Rickard, Claire M., Johnson, Laura, Gunter, Ashleigh and Watkins, Stuart (2020). Evaluating an ultrasound-guided peripheral intravenous cannulation training program for emergency clinicians: An Australian perspective. Australasian Emergency Care, 23 (3), 151-156. doi: 10.1016/j.auec.2019.12.008
2020
Journal Article
Adverse events and practice variability associated with paediatric endotracheal suction: An observational study
Schults, Jessica A., Long, Debbie A., Mitchell, Marion L., Cooke, Marie, Gibbons, Kristen, Pearson, Kylie and Schibler, Andreas (2020). Adverse events and practice variability associated with paediatric endotracheal suction: An observational study. Australian Critical Care, 33 (4), 350-357. doi: 10.1016/j.aucc.2019.08.002
2020
Journal Article
Smile - Secure my intravenous line effectively: a pilot randomised controlled trial of peripheral intravenous catheter securement in paediatrics
Kleidon, Tricia M., Rickard, Claire M., Gibson, Victoria, Mihala, Gabor, Schults, Jessica A., Xu, Hui (Grace), Bauer, Michelle J., Marsh, Nicole, Larsen, Emily N., Cattanach, Paula and Ullman, Amanda J. (2020). Smile - Secure my intravenous line effectively: a pilot randomised controlled trial of peripheral intravenous catheter securement in paediatrics. Journal of Tissue Viability, 29 (2), 82-90. doi: 10.1016/j.jtv.2020.03.006
2020
Journal Article
Development of a paediatric central venous access device database: a retrospective cohort study of practice evolution and risk factors for device failure
Kleidon, Tricia M., Rickard, Claire M., Schults, Jessica A., Mihala, Gabor, McBride, Craig A., Rudkin, John, Chaseling, Brett and Ullman, Amanda J. (2020). Development of a paediatric central venous access device database: a retrospective cohort study of practice evolution and risk factors for device failure. Journal of Paediatrics and Child Health, 56 (2), 289-297. doi: 10.1111/jpc.14600
2020
Journal Article
Healthcare practitioner perspectives and experiences regarding vascular access device data: An exploratory study
Schults, Jessica A., Woods, Christine, Cooke, Marie, Kleidon, Tricia, Marsh, Nicole, Ray-Barruel, Gillian and Rickard, Claire M. (2020). Healthcare practitioner perspectives and experiences regarding vascular access device data: An exploratory study. International Journal of Healthcare Management, 14 (4), 1-8. doi: 10.1080/20479700.2020.1721750
2020
Journal Article
Application of the READY framework supports effective communication between health care providers and family members in intensive care
Mackie, Benjamin R., Mitchell, Marion and Schults, Jessica (2020). Application of the READY framework supports effective communication between health care providers and family members in intensive care. Australian Critical Care, 34 (3), 296-299. doi: 10.1016/j.aucc.2020.07.010
2020
Journal Article
Flushing of peripheral intravenous catheters: a pilot, factorial, randomised controlled trial of high versus low frequency and volume in paediatrics
Kleidon, Tricia M., Keogh, Samantha, Flynn, Julie, Schults, Jessica, Mihala, Gabor and Rickard, Claire M. (2020). Flushing of peripheral intravenous catheters: a pilot, factorial, randomised controlled trial of high versus low frequency and volume in paediatrics. Journal of Paediatrics and Child Health, 56 (1), 22-29. doi: 10.1111/jpc.14482
2019
Journal Article
Difficult peripheral venous access in children: an international survey and critical appraisal of assessment tools and escalation pathways
Schults, Jessica, Rickard, Claire, Kleidon, Tricia, Paterson, Rebecca, Macfarlane, Fiona and Ullman, Amanda (2019). Difficult peripheral venous access in children: an international survey and critical appraisal of assessment tools and escalation pathways. Journal of Nursing Scholarship, 51 (5), 537-546. doi: 10.1111/jnu.12505
2019
Journal Article
Peripherally inserted central catheter design and material for reducing catheter failure and complications (protocol)
Schults, Jessica. A., Kleidon, Tricia, Petsky, Helen. L., Stone, Renee, Schoutrop, Jason and Ullman, Amanda. J. (2019). Peripherally inserted central catheter design and material for reducing catheter failure and complications (protocol). Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 2019 (7) CD013366. doi: 10.1002/14651858.CD013366
Funding
Current funding
Past funding
Supervision
Availability
- Dr Jessica Schults is:
- Available for supervision
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Supervision history
Current supervision
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Doctor Philosophy
Techniques and Technologies to Improve First-Time PIVC Insertion Success in Paediatrics
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Claire Rickard, Professor Amanda Ullman
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Doctor Philosophy
Co-designing a healthcare policy review process amongst nursing and midwifery
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Claire Rickard
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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
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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
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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
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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
Media
Enquiries
Contact Dr Jessica Schults directly for media enquiries about:
- harm measurement
- infectious disease
- paediatrics
- patient safety
- ventilation
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