Dr Alexander Olaussen
Senior Lecturer
BEmergHlth(Paramedic), BMedSci(Hons), MBBS(Hons)
Email: alexander.olaussen@monash.edu
Biography
Alex has been a teaching associate with Paramedicine since 2010 and is currently a Senior Lecturer. He is also a medical doctor working across many Victorian EDs, as well as research fellow with the National Trauma Research Institute (NTRI). Together with Professor Brett Williams, Alex founded what is today a vital part of the paramedic program, namely peer-assisted learning. Alex has a strong focus on fostering students and junior researchers. His main research lies in haemorrhagic shock, pre-hospital prediction of in-hospital outcomes. He was awarded the Hatem Salem Award for Medical Student Research Excellence for his thesis and the Avant Doctor in training grant for a study on synthetic blood.
Research Interests
CPR-induced consciousness, a term defined and identified by Matthew Shepherd and Alex. Haemorrhagic shock, prediction thereof, and its role as a surrogate marker for critical haemorrhage. Peer-assisted learning.
Supervision
Year | Name | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
2020 | Kelsey Sharrock | Out-of-hospital treatment of Tension Pneumothorax | BMedSci(Hons) |
2019 | Sam Davis | Pre-hospital management of Femur Fractures | BMedSci(Hons) |
2018 | Alex Hose | Predictive properties of prehospital stress induced hyperglycaemia trauma patients | BMedSci(Hons) |
2016 | Shradha Nikathil | Workplace Violence in the Emergency Department: A systematic review and retrospective cohort study | BMedSci(Hons) |
2016 | David Nguyen | Stress hyperglycaemia in the pre-hospital setting as a predictor of mortality in patients with severe traumatic brain-injury: A systematic review and retrospective cohort study | BMedSci(Hons) |
2015 | Fei Bing | Pleural Decompression Post Trauma | BMedSci(Hons) |
2014 | Tania Anthony | Admission Stress-induced Hyperglycaemia in Adult major Trauma Patients: A Systematic review and Retrospective Cohort Study. | BMedSci(Hons) |
Peer Reviewed Publications
Year | Details |
|---|---|
2020 | Abetz J, Olaussen A, Jennings PA, Smit DV, Mitra B. (2020) Paramedic clinical judgement upon arrival to the ED: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Emergency Medicine Australasia, accepted for publication 10.1111/1742-6723.13631 |
Olaussen A, Abetz J, Smith K, Bernard S, Gaddam R, Banerjee A, Mc Enteggart L, Lim A, Clare S, Smit DV, Cameron PA, Mitra B. (2020) “Paramedic streaming upon arrival in ED: A prospective study” Emergency Medicine Australasia, accepted for publication | |
Yeung T, O’Reilly G, Mitra B, Olaussen A (2020), “Lunacy in a tertiary emergency department: A 3-year cohort study of the association between moon cycles and occupational violence and aggression” Emergency Medicine Australasia, Accepted for publication | |
Hannon L, St Clair T, Smith K, Fitzgerald M, Mitra B, Olaussen A, Moloney J, Braitberg G, Judson R, Warwick T, Quinn N, Kim Y, Bernard S. (2020), Finger thoracostomy in patients with chest trauma performed by paramedics on a helicopter emergency medical service", Emergency Medicine Australasia, Accepted for publication | |
Groombridge C, Maini A, Olaussen A, Kim Y, Fitzgerald M, Mitra B, et al. Impact of a targeted bundle of audit with tailored education and an intubation checklist to improve airway management in the emergency department: an integrated time series analysis. Emergency Medicine Journal. 2020: emermed-2019-208935. | |
Mitra B, Carter A, Smit DV, Rahman F, O'Donovan S, Olaussen A, Pui JK, Abetz J, Hunter P, Cameron PA. Proactive review by the emergency department before inter‐hospital transfer (the PREVENT study). Emergency Medicine Australasia. 2020 Feb;32(1):61-6. | |
2019 | Yeung, T, Shannon, B., Perillo, S., Nehme, Z., Jennings, P. and Olaussen, A. (2019), Review article: Outcomes of patients who are not transported following ambulance attendance: A systematic review and meta‐analysis. Emergency Medicine Australasia, 31: 321-331. doi:10.1111/1742-6723.13288 |
Olaussen A. Antibiotics for potentially sepsis: Slow down. EMA. 2019 Oct;31(5):902-903. Doi 10.1111/1742-6723.13379 | |
Noonan M, Olaussen, A, Mathew J; Mitra B, Smit D.V, Fitzgerald M., What Is the Clinical Evidence Supporting Trauma Team Training (TTT): A Systematic Review and Meta- Analysis. Medicina 2019, 55, 551. | |
Mitra, B. , Carter, A. , Smit, D. V., Rahman, F. , O'Donovan, S. , Olaussen, A. , Pui, J. K., Abetz, J. , Hunter, P. and Cameron, P. A. (2019), Proactive review by the emergency department before inter‐hospital transfer (the PREVENT study). Emergency Medicine Australasia. doi:10.1111/1742-6723.13338 | |
2018 | Wertheimer A, Kirzner N, Olaussen A, Abetz J, Martin C, Jones C. Keeping your cool–a simple reusable neck cooler in orthopaedic surgery: a pilot randomized controlled trial. ANZ journal of surgery. 2018 Oct 25. |
Lahiri R, Olaussen A, Frampton A, Smith M, Pilgrim C, Niggemeyer L, Martin K, Koukounaras J, Fitzgerald M. Biloma following hepatic artery embolisation (HAE) for major liver trauma at the alfred-is early endoscopic or surgical intervention required? HPB. 2018 Sep 1;20:S481. | |
Wertheimer A, Olaussen A, Perera S, Liew S, Mitra B. Fractures of the femur and blood transfusions. Injury. 2018 Apr 1;49(4):846-51. | |
Mitra B, Nikathil S, Gocentas R, Symons E, O'Reilly G, Olaussen A. Security interventions for workplace violence in the emergency department. Emergency Medicine Australasia. 2018. In press | |
Putland M, Noonan M, Olaussen A, Cameron P, Fitzgerald M. Low major trauma confidence among Emergency Physicians working outside Major Trauma Services: inevitable result of a centralised trauma system or evidence for change? Emergency Medicine Australasia. 2018. In press | |
Olaussen A, Bade‐Boon J, Fitzgerald MC, Mitra B. Management of injured patients who were Jehovah's Witnesses, where blood transfusion may not be an option: a retrospective review. Vox sanguinis. 2018 Apr;113(3):283-9. | |
2017 | Olaussen A. Emergency medicine research: A trainee perspective. Emergency Medicine Australasia. 2017 Dec 1;29(6):720-1. |
Olaussen A, Semple W, Oteir A, Todd P, Williams B. Paramedic literature search filters: optimised for clinicians and academics. BMC medical informatics and decision making. 2017 Dec;17(1):146. | |
Nikathil S, Olaussen A, Symons E, Gocentas R, O'reilly G, Mitra B. Increasing workplace violence in an Australian adult emergency department. Emergency Medicine Australasia. 2018 Apr;30(2):181-6. | |
Shuster R, Mathew J, Olaussen A, Gantner D, Varma D, Koukounaras J, Fitzgerald MC, Cameron PA, Mitra B. Variables associated with pulmonary thromboembolism in injured patients: A Systematic Review. Injury. 2017 Aug 18. | |
Meadley B, Olaussen A, Delorenzo A, Roder N, Martin C, Clair TS, Burns A, Stam E, Williams B. Educational standards for training paramedics in ultrasound: a scoping review. BMC Emergency Medicine. 2017 Jun 17;17(1):18. | |
Bing F, Fitzgerald M, Olaussen A, Finnegan P, O'Reilly G, Gocentas R, Stergiou H, Korin A, Marasco S, McGiffin D. Identifying a safe site for intercostal catheter insertion using the mid-arm point (MAP). Journal of Emergency Medicine, Trauma and Acute Care. 2017 May 12;2017(1):3 | |
Gratton R, Olaussen A, Hassan M, Thaveenthiran P, Fitzgerald MC, Mitra B. Diagnostic performance of the cardiac FAST in a high-volume Australian trauma centre. Journal of Emergency Medicine, Trauma and Acute Care. 2017 May 10;2017(1):2. | |
Olaussen A, Nehme Z, Shepherd M, Jennings PA, Bernard S, Mitra B, Smith K. Consciousness induced during cardiopulmonary resuscitation: An observational study. Resuscitation. 2017 Apr 30;113:44-50. | |
Nikathil S, Olaussen A, Gocentas R, Symons E, Mitra B. Workplace violence in the emergency department: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Emergency Medicine Australasia. 2017 Jun;29(3):265-75. | |
Ngu N, Olaussen A, Wong J, Snow H, Cullinan M, Sitzler P. Perforated gangrenous cholecystitis with concurrent Clostridium perfringens bacteraemia masquerading as adenomyomatosis of the gallbladder: A case report. International Journal of Case Reports and Images. 2017;8(3):179– 183 | |
Mitra B, Fitzgerald MC, Olaussen A, Thaveenthiran P, Bade‐Boon J, Martin K, Smit DV, Cameron PA. Cruciform position for trauma resuscitation. Emergency Medicine Australasia. 2017 Apr;29(2):252-3. | |
Olaussen A, Jennings PA, O'Reilly G, Mitra B, Cameron PA. Barriers to conducting research: A survey of trainees in emergency medicine. Emergency Medicine Australasia. 2017 Jan 1. | |
2016 | Olaussen A, Shepherd M, Nehme Z, Smith K, Jennings PA, Bernard S, Mitra B. CPR-induced consciousness: A cross-sectional study of healthcare practitioners' experiences. Australasian Emergency Nursing Journal. 2016. In Press |
Olaussen A, Reddy P, Irvine S, Williams B. Peer-assisted learning: time for nomenclature clarification. Medical Education Online. 2016 Jul 12;21. |
| 2016 | Tveit MS, Singh E, Olaussen A, Liew S, Fitzgerald MC, Mitra B, What is the purpose of log roll examination in the unconscious adult trauma patient during trauma reception? EMJ 0;1-4 In press |
|---|---|
| Olaussen A, Thaveenthiran P, Fitzgerald MC, Jennings PA, Hocking J, Mitra B, Prediction of critical haemorrhage following trauma: A narrative review, Journal of Emergency Medicine, Trauma and acute Care, 2016:3 doi.org/10.5339/jemtac.2016.3 | |
| 2015 | Williams B, Brown T, McKenna L, Palermo C, Morgan P, Nestel D, Brightwell R, Gilbert-Hunt S, Stagnitti K, Olaussen A and Wright C, Student empathy levels across 12 medical and health professions: an interventional study, Journal of Compassionate Health Care, 2:4, 2015 |
| Brennan J, Bernard S, Rosenfeld JV, Olaussen A, Cameron PA, Fitzgerald M, Mitra B. Ethanol exposure and isolated traumatic brain injury. Journal of Clinical Neuroscience 2015. 22:12:1928-32 | |
| Williams B,Olaussen A, Peterson E. Peer-assisted teaching: An interventional study. Nurse Education in Practice. 2015;15(4):293-298. | |
| Olaussen A, Tan G, Fitzgerald M, Mitra B. Cryoprecipitate administration after trauma. European Journal of Emergency Medicine 2015. In Press | |
| Olaussen A, Shepherd M, Nehme Z, Smith K, Bernard S, Mitra B. Return of consciousness during ongoing cardiopulmonary resuscitation: A systematic review. Resuscitation 2015;86:44-48 | |
| Beale A, Macciocca I, Olaussen A, et al. Clinical Benefits of a Specialised Clinic for Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy. Internal Medicine Journal. 2015 Mar;45(3):255-60 | |
| Olaussen A, Peterson E, Mitra B, Jennings P, O’Reily G, Fitzgerald M. Massive transfusion prediction with inclusion of the pre-hospital Shock Index. Injury. 2015 May;46(5):822-6 | |
| 2014 | Beale A, Olaussen A, Macciocca I, et al. PM056 A Specialised Clinic for Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy Improves Patient Management. Global Heart 2014;9(1):e72. |
| Mitra B, Gabbe BJ, Kaukonen K-M, Olaussen A, Cooper DJ, Cameron PA. Long-Term Outcomes of Patients Receiving a Massive Transfusion After Trauma. Shock 2014;42(4):307-312. | |
| Mitra B, Olaussen A, Cameron PA, et al. Massive blood transfusions post trauma in the elderly compared to younger patients. Injury 2014;45(9):1296-1300. | |
| Olaussen A, Beale A, Macciocca I, et al. Family screening in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is underperformed, but can be improved by a specialised clinic. Internal Medicine Journal 2014;44(7):665-670. | |
| Olaussen A, Blackburn T, Mitra B, et al. Review article: Shock Index for prediction of critical bleeding post-trauma: A systematic review. Emergency Medicine Australasia 2014;26(3):223-228. | |
| Williams B, Sadasivan S, Kadirvelu A, Olaussen A. Empathy levels among first year Malaysian medical students: an observational study. Advances in Medical Education and Practice 2014;5:149 | |
| Olaussen A, Macciocca I, Ellims A. PT049 Underperfomance of family screening in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) can be improved by a specialised HCM clinic. Global Heart 2014;9(1):e175. | |
| 2013 | Olaussen A, Macciocca I, Ellims A. Family Screening for Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy is Underperformed – A First Year Experience from the HCM Clinic at The Alfred. Heart, Lung and Circulation 2013;22:S5 |
| 2012 | Olaussen A, Williams B. Intraosseous Access in the Prehospital Setting: A Literature Review. Prehospital and Disaster Medicine. 2012;27(5):468-72. |
| 2011 | Olaussen A. Towards evidence-based emergency medicine: best BETs from the Manchester Royal Infirmary. Which intraosseous device is best in the prehospital setting? Emergency Medicine Journal 2011;28(8):717-718. |
Academic Conference Presentations
| 2016 | POSTER: Treatment of burn induced stress hyperglycaemia: A systematic review and meta-analysis. International Conference on Emergency Medicine: Cape Town. 2016 |
|---|---|
| POSTER: Early stress-induced hyperglycaemia following trauma: A systematic review. International Conference on Emergency Medicine: Cape Town. 2016 | |
| 2015 | ORAL presentation: Return of consciousness during ongoing cardiopulmonary resuscitation: A systematic review. Spark of Life Conference: Melbourne, Australia |
| 2014 | ORAL presentation: Clinical prediction of massive transfusion following trauma can be improved by combining prehospital and in-hospital values, International Conference on Emergency Medicine: Hong Kong |
| POSTER presentation: Cryoprecipitate administration post trauma.International Conference on Emergency Medicine: Hong Kong. 2014 | |
| POSTER presentation: Underperformance of family screening in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) can be improved by a specialised HCM clinic. The World Congress of Cardiology; World Heart Federation: Melbourne, Australia | |
| POSTER presentation: Title: A Specialised Clinic for Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy Improves Patient Management. The World Congress of Cardiology; World Heart Federation: Melbourne, Australia | |
| POSTER presentation: Massive Transfusion prediction with inclusion of the pre-hospital shock index, Alfred research week: Melbourne, Australia | |
| POSTER presentation: Return of consciousness during ongoing cardiopulmonary resuscitation: A systematic review, Alfred research week: Melbourne, Australia | |
| POSTER presentation: Clinical prediction of massive transfusion following trauma can be improved by combining prehospital and in-hospital values. Monash research week: Melbourne, Australia | |
| 2013 | ORAL presentation: Family screening for hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is underperformed - a first year experience from the Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy Clinic at The Alfred. Cardiac Society of Australia and New Zealand Annual Scientific Meeting: Gold Coast, Australia |
| ORAL presentation: The Shock Index and the Early Diagnosis of Haemorrhagic Shock in Trauma, Paramedics Australasia International Conference: Canberra, Australia | |
| POSTER presentation: Prediction of massive transfusion post trauma using physiological scores – a review of 5,915 severely injured patients, Alfred research week: Melbourne, Australia | |
| 2010 | ORAL presentation: Transport not required: A literature review of prehospital management of hypogylcaemic patients. Australian College of Ambulance Professionals Annual Conference: Perth, Australia |
| ORAL presentation: Intraosseous access in the prehospital setting: a literature review. Australian College of Ambulance Professionals Annual Conference: Perth, Australia |