Researchers from The George Institute at Royal North Shore Emergency Department, Sydney Australia
Researchers from The George Institute at Royal North Shore Intensive Care Unit, Sydney Australia

Critical care

Each year, millions of individuals are admitted to intensive care units (ICUs) worldwide, facing serious and life-threatening conditions.

ICU teams must navigate high-stakes decisions quickly and accurately, often without sufficient evidence to guide their actions. This gap in knowledge can lead to less effective treatments, poorer outcomes for patients, and higher healthcare costs for societies.

The George Institute’s Critical Care Program is dedicated to closing this evidence gap by conducting high quality research to advance clinical understanding and equip ICU staff with life-saving insights to improve patient care and outcomes.

A large part of this work focuses on sepsis, a life-threatening reaction to infection that can happen to anyone, anywhere.
  • 200K+

    anz icu admissions annuallyi

  • 32%

    OF ICU admissions need mechanical ventilationii

  • A$1.3million

    cost of icu beds annually

  • 48.9million

    cases of sepsis anuallyiii

  • 11million

    die of sepsis anuallyiv

The George Institute’s Critical Care Program is led by top international researchers, and our research focuses on every aspect of critical illness management, from pre-hospital care to long-term recovery.

Through investigator-led studies conducted on a multi-national scale, we are generating the evidence needed to improve outcomes for critically ill patients. With various projects underway globally as well as our focus on Sepsis, our work is driving advancements in critical care and recovery worldwide.

Our Projects

Critical care

Fludrocortisone in ICU patients with aneurysmal subarachnoid haemorrhage (FLASH trial)

Renal and metabolic Critical care

PREVENTion with SGLT-2 inhibition of Acute Kidney Injury in intensive care (PREVENTS-AKI)

Critical care

Beta-lactam antibiotics infusion group study - BLING III

Critical care

Re-Evaluating the Inhibition of Stress Erosions and prophylaxis against gastrointestinal bleeding in the critically ill (REVISE)

Critical care

Plasma-Lyte 148® versUs Saline (PLUS) Study

Critical care

Intensive Insulin Therapy Trialists' Collaboration (IIT-TC)

Critical care

Point Prevalence Program

Choice of intravenous fluid therapy could improve survival in critically ill patients

Date published: News Type: Media release

International study clarifies role of hydrocortisone in the management of patients with septic shock

Date published: News Type: Media release

Controlling gut flora can reduce mortality in critically ill patients on life support

Date published: News Type: Media release

New standard is a ‘game changer’ that will ensure healthcare workers recognise sepsis as a medical emergency

Date published: News Type: Media release

One in two patients across ICUs in India suffers from sepsis, reveals the new Sepsis in India Prevalence Study

Date published: News Type: Media release

Australian study set to guide the treatment of critically ill patients worldwide

Date published: News Type: Media release
Critical care

What is sepsis and what are the signs?

Published date
Critical care Respiratory health

2020 bush-fires and COVID-19: what does it mean for our respiratory system?

Published date
Bala Venkatesh
Critical care

Professor Bala Venkatesh

Program Director, Critical Care
Professor John Myburgh AO Director Professoriate The George Institute for Global Health
Critical care

Professor John Myburgh AO

Director, Professoriate
Associate Professor Naomi Hammond, Critical Care Program Head, The George Institute
Critical care Renal and metabolic

A/Prof Naomi Hammond

Program Head
Critical care

Dr Serena Knowles

Program Manager, Critical Care Program
Simone Finfer
Critical care Renal and metabolic

Professor Simon Finfer AO

Professorial Fellow AO
Dr Brett Abbenbroek
Critical care

Dr Brett Abbenbroek

Program Manager, Sepsis Australia and Asia Pacific Sepsis Alliance
ADelaney
Critical care

Associate Professor Anthony Delaney

Professorial Fellow, Critical Care
Dr Manoj Saxena, Post Doctoral Research Fellow, The George Institute
Critical care

Dr Manoj Saxena

Post Doctoral Research Fellow
Dr Ashwani Kumar sepsis network
Critical care

Dr. Ashwani Kumar

Public Health Researcher
Critical care Women's health

Dr Kelly Thompson

Senior Research Fellow
MR Photo
Critical care

Dr Mahesh Ramanan

PhD Candidate
Critical care

Dr. Lachlan Donaldson

Intensive Care Specialist