University College Dublin (Ireland) – Irish Critical Care-Clinical Trials Network case study wins UCD Research Impact Competition

The 2021 impact case study contest included entries describing research from areas across Humanities, Social Sciences and STEM

Today, UCD Vice-President for Research, Innovation and Impact Professor Orla Feely announced the winner and runners-up of the 2021 UCD Research Impact Case Study Competition. The annual competition encourages researchers of all disciplines to write a case study that tells the story of how their work has made a positive difference.

This year’s winner, ‘Improving outcomes of critically ill patients with COVID-19,’ describes the research and impact of the Irish Critical Care-Clinical Trials Network, led by Professor Alistair Nichol, Chair of Critical Care Medicine in UCD School of Medicine.

The Irish Critical Care-Clinical Trials Network at UCD has carried out significant clinical research in preparation for, and in response to, the COVID-19 pandemic.

Through collaborative networks of hospitals across 63 countries, this research has had a profound impact on patients with COVID-19, their families, and wider society. The Network’s outputs have saved thousands of lives and ICU bed days by identifying treatments that improve patient survival and recovery (as well as identifying treatments that are ineffective or even harmful), and by informing HSE and WHO treatment guidelines for the clinical management of severe COVID-19 infection.

Professor Feely commented: “I am always impressed with the quality of the applications we receive and this year was no exception. As chair of the judging panel, it is a great pleasure to learn more about the many ways UCD’s researchers strive to make the world a better place.

“Among this year’s finalists we have researchers helping to tackle the ongoing pandemic, protect the environment, enrich people’s lives, influence policy, simulate sustainable economic growth, improve health and wellbeing, and inspire the next generation.

“I would like to congratulate all of our finalists. Their commitment to ensuring people benefit from their research is admirable and I am delighted to be able to recognise it through these awards.”

The 2021 UCD Research Impact Case Study Competition winner and runners-up were:

 

Winner 

Irish Critical Care-Clinical Trials Network (led by Professor Alistair Nichol)
Improving outcomes of critically ill patients with COVID-19