Fiona McCurrach
Senior Research Nurse
With a keen interest in human behaviour I left home aged 17 to study Psychology in Glasgow.
I lapped up the student life and 4 years on I graduated with a 2.1 honours degree, but it wasn’t long before I gave in to the niggle that was there from the start- I wanted to be a nurse.
Fast forward three years I embarked on my first nursing post in a general medical ward in 2010. Two years flew in as I consolidated my training and learned valuable lessons, laying the foundations for a career in emergency nursing- an area where a background of psychology goes a long way!
With four years of learning from the best in Edinburgh emergency medicine and realising the true meaning of teamwork, I was ready to make a change (for both myself and my patients) and tap back into the curiosity and positivity that carried me through my academic years at university.
Through some informal chats with the EMERGE team and a shadow day, I had officially caught the research bug and made it my goal to join the team. Luck was on my side and I was welcomed into the group a few months later.
I am so excited to be part of an enthusiastic and motivated team, united in their ultimate goal of improving the lives of our patients. What could be more rewarding than that?
Out of work my energy is dedicated to my family. Our two little girls keep me on my toes and are my inspiration for improving the future health of our public.
Trials
Early diagnosis is central to improving outcomes for patients with cancer. For cancers without specific risk factors, or with no screening programs are difficult to diagnose and patients often present with non-specific symptoms. Unfortunately this means that these patients are often diagnosed late on in the development of the disease and treatment options are reduced.
INFERENCE
This trial is an open label two-arm randomised trial focused on identifying the best treatment for community acquired sepsis patients. We will be investigating the feasibility of delivering early intravenous fluid resuscitation by comparing 5% human albumin solution (HAS) to balanced crystalloid. Currently, balanced crystalloids are used as routine care and the first line therapy in the international sepsis guidelines, whereas HAS is the second line fluid therapy in septic shock. Although, studies are showing that HAS may have further potential benefits to patients with sepsis.
ABC SEPSIS
ABC SEPSIS
DASH Trial
DASH is a randomised clinical trial investigating a treatment to reverse the effects of blood-thinning medications.
EMBOL1 Study
A Performance Evaluation of The Lumiradx Point of Care D Dimer Assay AS AN Aid in the Diagnosis and Assessment of VTE (EMBOL1)
To determine the association between high-sensitivity cardiac troponin concentration and obstructive coronary artery disease in patients presenting to the Emergency Department with suspected acute coronary syndrome and cardiac troponin concentration within the normal reference range using CTCA.
PRECISE-CTCA Trial
To determine the association between high-sensitivity cardiac troponin concentration and obstructive coronary artery disease in patients presenting to the Emergency Department with suspected acute coronary syndrome and cardiac troponin concentration within the normal reference range using CTCA.
EHA - Epidemiological analysis for the Hereditary Angioedema Disease is an international, multicentre, epidemiological study that aims to explore the feasibility of a new Dried Blood Spot (DBS) filtercard-based screening algorithm and thereby the prevalence of the Hereditary Angioedema.
EHA Study
EHA - Epidemiological analysis for the Hereditary Angioedema Disease
Assisting in identifying patients with Humeral shaft fractures in the ED by screening.
Giving patient information sheets to introduce the study, so patient has had adequate time to read and make decision about going into the trial before going to the fracture clinic.
HU-FIX Trial
Diagnostics devices play an important part in the clinical assessment of a patient’s health and treatment. The purpose of the study is the evaluation of a new diagnostic platform developed by LumiraDx. The evaluation is focused around various biomarkers useful in the emergency settings.
NOVEL Study
Collection of venous and capillary blood samples for the evaluation of new diagnostic devices for cardiovascular conditions
Developing a molecular tool to stratify the acute joint presentation: facilitating early diagnosis of septic arthritis (Septic Arthritis Biomarker Emergency Rule-out - SABER)
SABER Study
Developing a molecular tool to stratify the acute joint presentation: facilitating early diagnosis of septic arthritis (Septic Arthritis Biomarker Emergency Rule-out - SABER)
ATTEST2 Trial
Alteplase-Tenecteplase Trial Evaluation for Stroke Thrombolysis (ATTEST 2)