Associate Professor
Debbie Long
Faculty of Health,
School of Nursing
Biography
Dr Debbie Long is an Associate Professor in the School of Nursing, Faculty of Health, Queensland University of Technology. In addition to an undergraduate degree in Nursing, Debbie has completed a Master of Nursing (Critical Care). Debbie was then awarded a Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing from Griffith University in 2012. Debbie's prior roles have been clinically based as the Nursing Lead for research in the PICU at both the Royal Children’s Hospital and the Queensland Children’s Hospital since 2004. She has held senior nursing roles within the PICU since 1998. Debbie is currently recognised as a leader in the area of paediatric intensive care nursing. She has a special interest in the medical and nursing treatments that contribute to improved outcomes in paediatric critical illness (Liberation) and improving outcomes in PICU survivors. She has also published widely , in the areas of sedation, delirium and post-traumatic stress in the PICU. In recent years, Debbie's work has increasingly focused on raising awareness of post-intensive care syndrome - paediatrics (PICS-p) and patient-centered health care models for children following critical illness. Her vision is to help all children who have survived a critical illness to recover; by supporting health systems to detect vulnerabilities early and enable targeted interventions to optimise outcomes. In 2018, Debbie was awarded a Churchill Fellowship to explore international PICU long term outcome services and practical management strategies.Personal details
Positions
- Associate Professor
Faculty of Health,
School of Nursing
Research field
Nursing
Field of Research code, Australian and New Zealand Standard Research Classification (ANZSRC), 2008
Qualifications
- Doctor of Philosophy (Griffith University)
Professional memberships and associations
Australian College of Critical Care Nurses
Australian and New Zealand Intensive Care Society, Paediatric Study Group
Paediatric Critical Care Research Group
PICOLO Network: Paediatric Intensive Care Optimising Long Term Outcomes
Teaching
Dr Long is currently the Special Area Coordinator for Paediatric, Child and Youth Health Nursing and unit coordinator in the following courses:
- NSN001: Contemporary Issues in Nursing Children and Families
- NSN009: Specialist Nursing Practice for Children and Families
PhD Completions Title: Posttraumatic stress in children admitted to the paediatric intensive care unit (2012). Title: Evaluating delirium in the paediatric intensive care unit: Understanding the acute and long-term impact on child functioning (Completed in 2019). Title: Optimising endotracheal suction practices in the paediatric intensive care unit (2020). Title: Behaviour change in children after general anaesthesia (2021).
Current PHD/Doctorate/MPhil supervisions Title: Feasibility of an early intervention to prevent persistent traumatic stress reactions in young children admitted to intensive care. (PICU CARE) Title: Long Term Outcomes following Paediatric Sepsis (LOTUS). Title: The effectiveness of an evidence-based health education program for parents of children undergoing congenital heart disease (CHD) surgery in Vietnam. Title: Point of Care Lactate Study – Paediatric Sepsis. Title: The feasibility and implementation of a mobile health application to promote parental resilience, self-efficacy and management of anxiety and post-traumatic stress symptoms related to paediatric ICU survivorship. Title: Navigating a way through the PICU’s complex healthcare setting: The PICU bedside buddy study.
Experience
Awards
2018: Best Paediatric Medical Paper Long, D., Erickson, S. for the ANZICS PSG. Sedation practice in paediatric intensive care evaluation (Baby SPICE): A pilot study comparing dexmedetomidine to standard care. 39th ANZICS/ACCCN Intensive Care Annual Scientific Meeting, Adelaide.
2017: Best Quality and Education Paper Rickard C, Marsh N, Larsen E, Corley A, Spooner A, Fraser J, Davis C, Lepelaar S, Long D, etal. Intravenous administration set (infusion tubing) replacement after 4 or 7 days is equally effective to prevent bloodstream infections (RSVP trial). 38th Australian & New Zealand Annual Scientific Meeting on Intensive Care, Gold Coast.
2017: Best Paediatric Nursing Paper Long D, Ullman A, Pearson K, Williams T, Mattke A, Mihala G, Rickard C. Central venous access device securement and dressing effectiveness in paediatric intensive care (CASCADE Junior): Pilot study in non-tunnelled devices. 38th Australian & New Zealand Annual Scientific Meeting on Intensive Care, Gold Coast.
2016: Basic Research in Infectious Diseases S. Asgari, L. J. Schlapbach, S. Long, D. Schibler, A. Telenti, C. Tapparel, P. J. McLaren, D. Garcin, J. Fellay. Severe viral respiratory infections in children with IFIH1 loss-of-function mutations. Swiss Society of Infectious Diseases, Basel, Switzerland.
2016: Best Paediatric Nursing Paper Long, D., Dow, B., LeBrocque, R., Kenardy, J. Relationship of medical treatment on acute posttraumatic stress symptoms in children following PICU admission. 37th Australian & New Zealand Annual Scientific Meeting on Intensive Care, Perth
2015: Best Paediatric Nursing Paper Long, D. & Williams, T. PICU delirium and sedation knowledge, attitudes and perceptions. 36th Australian & New Zealand Annual Scientific Meeting on Intensive Care, Auckland, New Zealand.
2011: Best Quality and Education Paper Ullman, A., Long, D., Horn, D., Woosley, J. & Coulthard, MG. Keeping ‘KIDS SAFE’: Facilitating best practice in the PICU. 6th Pediatric Critical Care World Congress, Sydney, Australia.
2008: Best Paediatric Nursing Paper Keogh, S., Long, D., Horn, D., Eggins, J. & Cienfeugos, T. Guiding sedation practice in the paediatric intensive care. 32nd Australian & New Zealand Annual Scientific Meeting on Intensive Care, Rotorua, New Zealand
2005: Best Paediatric Nursing Paper Long, D. & Murray, M. Determining content validity of the Basic Knowledge Assessment Tool (PEDS-BKAT) for use with beginning Australian and New Zealand paediatric critical care nurses. 30th Australian & New Zealand Annual Scientific Meeting on Intensive Care, Adelaide.
2003: Best Paediatric Nursing Paper Long, D. Horn, D. Keogh, S. King, F. A survey of sedation assessment and management in Australian and New Zealand paediatric intensive care units. 28th Australian & New Zealand Annual Scientific Meeting on Intensive Care, Cairns.
Grants
Dow, B., Long, D., Scott, G., Alex De Young, A., Kenardy, J. Feasibility of an early intervention to prevent persistent traumatic stress reactions in young children admitted to intensive care. Jamieson Trauma Institute "Mental Health after Trauma" project grant. $34,435
Long, D., Gibbons, K. PICU Survivorship Care Planning: Unmet Needs among Children and Families following Paediatric Critical Illness. Centre for Healthcare Transformation Seeding Grant. $14,559.28
Long, D., Bora, S., Dow, B., Gibbons, K., Best, J., Webb, K., Stocker, C., Liley, H., Tyack, Z., Thoms, D., Wharton, C. Pilot testing of a collaborative Shared Care Model for Detecting Neurodevelopmental Impairments after Critical Illness in Young Children. Children’s Hospital Foundation. ECR Project Grant. $49,961
Schults J, Schibler A, Ullman A, Byrnes J, Hall L, Long D, Cooke M, Irwin A, Ware, R, Harnischfeger J, Willison, D. Preventing healthcare acquired, ventilator-associated conditions in the PICU: Implementation of new airway clearance guidance. Children’s Health Foundation, Health Service Research Grant. $97,509.
Schlapbach, L., Schibler, A., Long, D., Butt, W., Horton, S., Winlaw, D., Anderson, P., Erickson, S., Festa, M., Beca, J., Badawi, N., Alphonso, N., D’Udekem, Y., Coin. L., Fooken, J., Gibbons, K., Anderson, V., Young, P. Gene expression to predict long-term outcome in infants after heart surgery. Medical Research Future Funds. $2,920,456.
Traube, C. Boelens, J., Duncan, C., Dvorak, C., Freedman, J., Gerber, L., Long, D., Sands, S., Silver, G., Wall, D. Delirium in Children Undergoing Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplants. National Institutes of Health, USA. $3,419,387.
Schlapbach, L., Tomaszewski, W., Vaithianathan, R., Benavides Prado, D., Littlewood, R., Stocker, C., Long, D., Straney, L. Machine Learning to predict future educational outcomes in critically ill children. Children’s Hospital Foundation. $103,047.
Schults, J., Long, D., Ullman, A., Cooke, M., Mitchell, M., Schibler, A. Development of ETT Suction guidelines. Australian College of Critical Care Nurses. $5,000. Long, D., Schlapbach, L., Schibler, A., Dow, B. Paediatric Neurodevelopmental Outcomes following a randomised controlled trial of nitric oxide bypass in infants undergoing cardiac surgery. Intensive Care Foundation. $25,000.
Long, D., Schults, J., Stocker, C., Dow, B. Mapping child and family functioning following paediatric intensive care unit admission. Children’s Hospital Foundation. $10,000. Long, D. Paediatric Neurodevelopmental Outcomes following nitric oxide bypass in infants undergoing cardiac surgery: A randomised controlled trial. Children’s Hospital Foundation. $50,000.
Schibler, A., Schlapbach, L., Butt, W., D’Udekem, Y., Winlaw, D., Beca, J., Erickson, S., Festa, M., Blumenthal, A., Jones, M. (Long, D. AI). Nitric Oxide on Cardio Pulmonary Bypass in Congenital Heart Disease. $1,900,000.
Long, D., Schibler, A., Stocker, C., Ranger, M., Alphonso, N. Sedation practice in post-operative cardiac patients in paediatric intensive care: Cardiac Baby SPICE pilot study. Pfizer Investigator Initiated Grant. $50,000.
Long, D. Stocker, C., Macfarlane, F., Keogh, S. Improving blood sampling practice for critically ill children undergoing cardiac surgery. National Blood Authority. $54,078.
Long, D., Williams, T., Harnischfeger, J., McEniery, J., Aitken, L. & Flatley, C. Occurrence, management and outcome of fever in critically ill children: Retrospective clinical audit of a HOT topic. Australian College of Critical Care Nurses QLD. $5,000.
Long, D., McEniery, J. Development of a State-wide HDU Model of Care for Children. Children’s Hospital Foundation. $41,747.
Long, D., Aitken, L. Gold standard evaluation of delirium assessment tools in paediatric intensive care. Queensland Health Nursing and Midwifery Scholarship. $15,000.
Reviewer
Australian Critical Care (Editorial Board Member)
Pediatric Critical Care Medicine
Nursing in Critical Care (Editorial Board Member)
Archives of Disease in Childhood
European Journal of Pediatrics
Frontiers in Pediatrics
Frontiers in Public Health (Review Editor - Children and Health)
Conference papers - Invited Presentations
How do we define the role for the ICU team in post-discharge care? World Federation of Pediatric Intensive and Critical Care Societies Congress, Cape Town, 2022
Preventing and treating Delirium in PICU. World Federation of Pediatric Intensive and Critical Care Societies Congress, Cape Town, 2022
Long term follow up of PICU patients should be part of PICU practice not just research. ANZICS/ACCCN Intensive Care ASM, Sydney, 2022
Post intensive care syndrome in paediatrics: Old solutions for a new problem. ANZICS/ACCCN Intensive Care ASM, Sydney, 2022
Paediatric Delirium. DECLARED 2021, Australasian Delirium Association, Brisbane, 2021
Post Intensive Care Syndrome – Paediatrics. SG-ANZICS Asia Pacific Intensive Care Forum, Singapore, 2021.
Is it time to see beyond ICU: Paediatrics. College of Intensive Care Medicine, ASM, Adelaide, 2021.
Integral Care in the PICU. World Federation of Pediatric Intensive and Critical Care Societies Congress, Mexico City, 2020.
Long-term follow-up in congenital heart disease. World Congress of Intensive Care. Melbourne, 2019
Delirium assessment in children. Thinking outside the box. World Congress of Intensive Care. Melbourne, 2019
Delirium Monitoring in Children and Adults. American Delirium Society Conference, Boston, USA, 2019
When all is not as it seems. Delirium in the PICU. Visiting Professor, Paediatric Grand Rounds, McMaster Children’s Hospital, Hamilton, Canada, 2019
A Decade of Research of Sedation, Delirium and PTSD. Visiting Professor, Paediatric Grand Rounds, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, USA, 2019
Assessing for Delirium in Children. 4th Australasian Delirium Association Conference, Melbourne, 2018. Managing post PICU morbidity as a family. 9th World Federation of Pediatric Intensive and Critical Care Societies Congress, Singapore, 2018.
Delirium and Sedation in PICU. 37th Australian & New Zealand Annual Scientific Meeting on Intensive Care, Perth, 2016.
Diagnosing delirium in critically ill children. NCREN Complex Nursing Interventions Symposium, Brisbane, 2016.
Recognising delirium in Critically Ill Children. 12th Congress of the WFCCN – Incorporating the 17th Annual ICE Meeting, Brisbane, 2016.
Baby SPICE. ANZICS Clinical Trials Group Meeting, Noosa, 2015.
Baby SPICE. ANZICS Clinical Trials Group Meeting, Noosa, 2014.
Baby SPICE. 34th Australian & New Zealand Annual Scientific Meeting on Intensive Care, Hobart, 2013
Pressure ulcer risk assessment in paediatrics. Paediatric Nursing Symposium “Celebrating International Nurses Day: Paediatric examples of Evidence to Action”. Royal Children’s Hospital, Brisbane. 2012.
Assessing knowledge and skills in PICU nurses. 32nd Australian & New Zealand Annual Scientific Meeting on Intensive Care, Brisbane. 2011.
Competency and critical thinking. 6th Pediatric Critical Care World Congress, Sydney, Australia. 2011
Role of the PICU Research Coordinator Down Under. 5th World Congress in Pediatric Critical Care, Geneva, Switzerland. 2007.
An examination of nursing knowledge and critical thinking in Australian and New Zealand paediatric intensive care nursing practice. Queensland Health Transition to Critical Care Nurse Educators Workshop, Princess Alexandra Hospital, Brisbane. 2005.
Current trends in PICU sedation practices. Australian College of Critical Care Nurses, Institute of Continuing Education 5th Annual Meeting, Gold Coast. 2004.
Viagra in the PICU. 28th Australian & New Zealand Annual Scientific Meeting on Intensive Care, Cairns. 2003.
Publications
Research outputs by year
QUT ePrints
For more publications by Debbie, explore their research in QUT ePrints (our digital repository).
Supervision
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