Research Fellow
Overview
Dr August is a Registered Nurse, a post-doctoral MRFF Research Fellow at University Queensland, and the Nurse Research Co-ordinator for the Grantley Stable Neonatal Unit at the Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital. She has over 20 years’ experience in Neonatal and Paediatric critical care settings, including retrieval services in far north Queensland. August is one very few Neonatal Nurses who has training in Skin Integrity, with a number of publications related to neonatal skin assessment. August’s PhD explored neonatal skin injuries from mechanical force (awarded July 2022). Clinical experiences have cultivated Deanne's desire investigate and evaluate clinical practice, with a specific focus on minimizing the sequalae of necessary care such as medical adhesives or vascular access. Her program of research has included systematic reviews, randomised control trials, case control, longitudinal studies, and international practice guidelines. Within studies she considers the effect of clinical workloads, implications on hospital systems including economic evaluation, and especially the neonatal/family experience. Dr August is recognised nationally and internationally as an expert in neonatal skin integrity and injury assessment; with a growing track record with 16 peer reviewed articles published and international confrences invitations in the past 5 years.
Research Interests
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Improving the safety of neonatal care
Evaluation of clinical practice and limiting the frequency of sequalae attributed to necessary care such as medical adhesives or vascular access. -
Nurse lead clinical practice innovation and translation of evidence
Condensing evidence for the busy clinician concise through visual representations such as multimedia resources available on the world wide web or a skin development diagram from foetal and neonatal scientific evidence. -
Neonatal skin care
Improving the quality of neonatal skin health and skin injury assessments through evaluation of visual assessment and adjunct tools.
Research Impacts
Dr August's outcomes are integrated into a number of univeristy healthcare and expert settings desipte her early career status. For example, many of her PhD outcomes have been cited or incorperated into two international skin care gudielines (The Association of Women's Health, Obstetric and Neonatal Nurses and National Association of Neonatal Nurses, a statewide hospital based training program (Queensland Health's Transition to Practice), and the post graduate course for Neonatal Nursing (University of Tasmania). She has also lead a book chaper for Neonatal Skin Care in the Austarlian First Text Book for Neonatal Care practices (Neonatal Nursing in Australia and New Zealand: Principles for Practice 1st edition). Other examples of her impacts include - Facilitating neonatal MARSI evidence into practice: investigating multimedia resources with Australian Neonatal Nurses – a participatory action research project has had direct policy and practice impact, across neonatal health services. This research included the development of a clinical education resource and supplementary tutorials for neonatal medical adhesive removal to prevent injury and improve clinical practice. In addition her developement of the the Graduated colour tape measure: (development and demonstration in a case series of neonatal skin injuries and evaluation of the consistency of neonatal skin injury assessment using clinical images), has direct practice and knowledge impact. This research yielded insight into barriers of effective skin injury assessment in the neonatal intensive care and produced a novel, economic and clinically applicable tool to assist with neonatal skin injury assessment.
Qualifications
- Doctor of Philosophy, James Cook University
- Postgraduate Diploma in Research Methods, James Cook University
Publications
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Journal Article: A scoping review and narrative synthesis of neonatal skin injury severity scales
August, Deanne, Hall, Stephanie, Marsh, Nicole and Coyer, Fiona (2024). A scoping review and narrative synthesis of neonatal skin injury severity scales. Nursing in Critical Care. doi: 10.1111/nicc.13018
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Journal Article: Outcomes and perspectives of woman-newborn dyads following discharge from a quaternary maternity service in Australia: a cross-sectional survey
Lai, Melissa M., August, Deanne, Sharfuddin, Zoya, Palmer-Field, Kristina, Johnston, Louise, Main, Elizabeth, Smith, Patricia, Kilgour, Catherine M. and Kearney, Lauren (2024). Outcomes and perspectives of woman-newborn dyads following discharge from a quaternary maternity service in Australia: a cross-sectional survey. Women and Birth, 37 (1), 248-256. doi: 10.1016/j.wombi.2023.10.007
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Journal Article: Period prevalence of positional head deformations and implications for practice in a large tertiary neonatal unit
Hepnar, Lindsay, Ngenda, Naoni, Cottrell, Michelle, Lai, Melissa, Sharpe, Janet and August, Deanne (2023). Period prevalence of positional head deformations and implications for practice in a large tertiary neonatal unit. Journal of Paediatrics and Child Health, 60 (1), 18-23. doi: 10.1111/jpc.16520
Grants
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(2023–2026) NHMRC MRFF Clinician Researchers: Nurses, Midwives and Allied Health Grant
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Eliminating harm from devices across the life span in critical illness: The DEFENCE study
(2023–2026) NHMRC Partnership Projects
Supervision
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Prevention of urinary catheter associated infections
Master Philosophy
Publications
Journal Article
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A scoping review and narrative synthesis of neonatal skin injury severity scales
August, Deanne, Hall, Stephanie, Marsh, Nicole and Coyer, Fiona (2024). A scoping review and narrative synthesis of neonatal skin injury severity scales. Nursing in Critical Care. doi: 10.1111/nicc.13018
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Lai, Melissa M., August, Deanne, Sharfuddin, Zoya, Palmer-Field, Kristina, Johnston, Louise, Main, Elizabeth, Smith, Patricia, Kilgour, Catherine M. and Kearney, Lauren (2024). Outcomes and perspectives of woman-newborn dyads following discharge from a quaternary maternity service in Australia: a cross-sectional survey. Women and Birth, 37 (1), 248-256. doi: 10.1016/j.wombi.2023.10.007
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Hepnar, Lindsay, Ngenda, Naoni, Cottrell, Michelle, Lai, Melissa, Sharpe, Janet and August, Deanne (2023). Period prevalence of positional head deformations and implications for practice in a large tertiary neonatal unit. Journal of Paediatrics and Child Health, 60 (1), 18-23. doi: 10.1111/jpc.16520
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Device related pressure injuries across the critical care lifespan
August, Deanne, Ullman, Amanda and Coyer, Fiona (2023). Device related pressure injuries across the critical care lifespan. Nursing in Critical Care, 28 (1), 6-8. doi: 10.1111/nicc.12874
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Evaluating methods for the use and decontamination of needleless connectors: a qualitative inquiry
Larsen, Emily N., August, Deanne, Keogh, Samantha, Flynn, Julie, Ullman, Amanda J., Marsh, Nicole, Cooke, Marie, McCarthy, Alexandra L. and Rickard, Claire M. (2022). Evaluating methods for the use and decontamination of needleless connectors: a qualitative inquiry. Infection, Disease and Health, 27 (4), 175-183. doi: 10.1016/j.idh.2022.04.002
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Neonatal skin injury scales: a scoping review with narrative synthesis protocol
Hall, Stephanie, August, Deanne, Coyer, Fiona and Marsh, Nicole (2022). Neonatal skin injury scales: a scoping review with narrative synthesis protocol. Wound Practice and Research, 30 (3), 175-178. doi: 10.33235/wpr.30.3.175-178
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Dufficy, Mitchell, Takashima, Mari, Cunninghame, Jacqueline, Griffin, Bronwyn R., McBride, Craig A., August, Deanne and Ullman, Amanda J. (2022). Extravasation injury management for neonates and children: a systematic review and aggregated case series. Journal of Hospital Medicine, 17 (10), 832-842. doi: 10.1002/jhm.12951
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August, Deanne, Kandasamy, Yoga, Ray, Robin, New, Karen and Lindsay, Daniel (2022). Evaluation of the consistency of neonatal skin injury assessment using clinical images and the metric and graduated colour tool. Journal of Tissue Viability, 31 (3), 395-403. doi: 10.1016/j.jtv.2022.05.002
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Determining reference data for overnight oximetry in neonates: a pilot study
Flint, Anndrea, August, Deanne, Lai, Melissa, Chawla, Jasneek, Ballard, Emma and Davies, Mark W. (2022). Determining reference data for overnight oximetry in neonates: a pilot study. Early Human Development, 168 105571, 1-5. doi: 10.1016/j.earlhumdev.2022.105571
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Neonatal vascular access practice and complications : An observational study of 1,375 catheter days
McIntyre, Colette, August, Deanne, Cobbald, Linda, Lack, Gill, Takashima, Mari, Foxcroft, Katie, Marsh, Nicole, Smith, Patricia, New, Karen, Koorts, Pieter, Irwin, Adam and Ullman, Amanda (2022). Neonatal vascular access practice and complications : An observational study of 1,375 catheter days. Journal of Perinatal and Neonatal Nursing, 37 (4), 332-339. doi: 10.1097/jpn.0000000000000589
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Parker, Suzanne L., Irwin, Adam D., Hosking, Francine, August, Deanne, Schoenmaker, Brittany, Pandey, Saurabh, Wallis, Steven C., Lipman, Jeffrey, Roberts, Jason A. and Davies, Mark W. (2022). Innovation in microsampling for therapeutic drug monitoring of gentamicin in neonates: a proof-of-concept study. International Journal of Antimicrobial Agents, 59 (2) 106513, 1-2. doi: 10.1016/j.ijantimicag.2021.106513
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August, Deanne, Chapple, Lynette, Flint, Anndrea, Macey, Judith, Ng, Linda and New, Karen (2021). Facilitating neonatal MARSI evidence into practice: Investigating multimedia resources with Australian Neonatal Nurses – A participatory action research project. Journal of Neonatal Nursing, 27 (4), 291-297. doi: 10.1016/j.jnn.2020.12.001
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August, Deanne L., Kandasamy, Yoga, Ray, Robin, Lindsay, Daniel and New, Karen (2021). Fresh perspectives on hospital-acquired neonatal skin injury period prevalence from a multicenter study: length of stay, acuity, and incomplete course of antenatal steroids. Journal of Perinatal and Neonatal Nursing, 35 (3), 275-283. doi: 10.1097/JPN.0000000000000513
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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
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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
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August, Deanne L., Ray, Robin A., Kandasamy, Yoga and New, Karen (2020). Neonatal skin assessments and injuries: nomenclature, workplace culture and clinical opinions—Method triangulation a qualitative study. Journal of Clinical Nursing, 29 (21-22) jocn.15422, 3986-4006. doi: 10.1111/jocn.15422
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Conceptualising skin development diagrammatically from foetal and neonatal scientific evidence
August, Deanne, van der Vis, Klazina Marie and New, Karen (2019). Conceptualising skin development diagrammatically from foetal and neonatal scientific evidence. Journal of Neonatal Nursing, 25 (6), 311-314. doi: 10.1016/j.jnn.2019.07.001
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August, D., Ullman, A. J., Rickard, C. M. and New, K. (2019). Peripheral intravenous catheter practices in Australian and New Zealand neonatal units: a cross-sectional survey. Journal of Neonatal Nursing, 25 (5), 240-244. doi: 10.1016/j.jnn.2019.03.002
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August, Deanne, Hitchcock, Ian, Tangney, Janelle, Ray, Robin A., Kandasamy, Yoga and New, Karen (2019). Graduated colour tape measure: development and demonstration of this tool in a case series of neonatal skin injuries. Journal of Tissue Viability, 28 (3), 133-138. doi: 10.1016/j.jtv.2019.04.004
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August, Deanne L., New, Karen, Ray, Robin A. and Kandasamy, Yogavijayan (2018). Frequency, location and risk factors of neonatal skin injuries from mechanical forces of pressure, friction, shear and stripping: a systematic literature review. Journal of Neonatal Nursing, 24 (4), 173-180. doi: 10.1016/j.jnn.2017.08.003
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The effects of antenatal glucocorticoid exposure on fetal and neonatal skin maturation
August, Deanne and Kandasamy, Yogavijayan (2017). The effects of antenatal glucocorticoid exposure on fetal and neonatal skin maturation. Journal of Perinatal Medicine, 45 (8), 969-975. doi: 10.1515/jpm-2016-0338
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Significance of antenatal glucocorticoid exposure for pressure injury prevalence in neonates
August, D. and Kandasamy, Y. (2016). Significance of antenatal glucocorticoid exposure for pressure injury prevalence in neonates. Journal of Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine, 9 (1), 23-29. doi: 10.3233/NPM-16915063
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Silver-Based Dressing in an Extremely Low-Birth-Weight Infant: A Case Study
August, Deanne L., Ireland, Susan and Benton, Judy (2015). Silver-Based Dressing in an Extremely Low-Birth-Weight Infant: A Case Study. Journal of Wound, Ostomy and Continence Nursing, 42 (3), 290-293. doi: 10.1097/WON.0000000000000138
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Pressure injuries to the skin in a neonatal unit: Fact or fiction
August, Deanne L., Edmonds, Liza, Brown, David K., Murphy, Megan and Kandasamy, Yogavijayan (2014). Pressure injuries to the skin in a neonatal unit: Fact or fiction. Journal of Neonatal Nursing, 20 (3), 129-137. doi: 10.1016/j.jnn.2013.08.006
Conference Publication
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Lai, M., August, D., Sharfuddin. Z., Johnston, L., Main, E., Palmer-Field, K., Smith, P., Kilgour, C. and Kearney, L. (2023). Discharge timing and postnatal programs, neonatal outcomes and maternal perspectives: a cross-sectional survey. Perinatal Society of Australia and New Zealand, Melbourne, VIC Australia, 5-8 March 2023.
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Nurses and needleless connectors: Where can we improve? A qualitative study
Larsen, Emily, August, Deanne, Keogh, Samantha, Flynn, Julie, Ullman, Amanda, Marsh, Nicole, McCarthy, Alexandra and Rickard, Claire (2022). Nurses and needleless connectors: Where can we improve? A qualitative study. 2022 ACIPC International Conference, Sydney, Australia, 13-16 November 2022. Amsterdam, Netherlands: Elsevier . doi: 10.1016/j.idh.2022.09.017
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Online cross-sectional survey on how Australian neonatal nurses manage nappy dermatitis
Macey, J., August, D., Chappel, L., Hovey, D., Jones, B., New, K., Ng, L., Rigley, M. and Webster, R. (2017). Online cross-sectional survey on how Australian neonatal nurses manage nappy dermatitis. ACNN 25th National Conference, Fraser Island, QLD, Australia, 17-20 October 2017.
Grants (Administered at UQ)
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(2023–2026) NHMRC MRFF Clinician Researchers: Nurses, Midwives and Allied Health Grant
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Eliminating harm from devices across the life span in critical illness: The DEFENCE study
(2023–2026) NHMRC Partnership Projects
PhD and MPhil Supervision
Current Supervision
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Prevention of urinary catheter associated infections
Master Philosophy — Associate Advisor
Other advisors:
