Sepsis awareness in residential aged care facilities in Tasmania

About the research project

Sepsis is a life-threatening condition that disproportionately affects older adults, with mortality rates increasing significantly when recognition and treatment are delayed. Residential aged care facilities (RACFs) face unique challenges in managing sepsis due to atypical symptom presentation, limited on-site clinical resources, and reliance on external health services for escalation. In Australia, national initiatives such as the Sepsis Clinical Care Standard (Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care, 2022) and the National Sepsis Program have emphasised the importance of early recognition and timely intervention. Similarly, the RACGP Silver Book (2025) provides guidance on infection and sepsis management in aged care settings. However, these resources primarily offer system-level standards and clinical recommendations rather than empirical insights into how frontline staff in RACFs identify and respond to sepsis in practice.

Existing literature highlights that recognition of acute deterioration in aged care is complex and influenced by multiple factors, including staff knowledge, organisational processes, and communication pathways. While international and Australian reviews have explored deterioration broadly, there is a lack of research focused specifically on sepsis within RACFs. This gap limits our understanding of the barriers and facilitators that shape staff behaviour and decision-making in real-world contexts.

Significance: Addressing this gap is critical because delayed recognition and response to sepsis can lead to preventable harm and increased mortality among aged care residents. By exploring the experiences and perceptions of RACF staff in Tasmania through case based analysis to understand patterns, barriers and facilitators, this study will generate actionable insights to inform targeted interventions, staff education, and policy development. Findings from analysis of cases, interviews and focus groups with RACF staff to identify elements of capability, opportunity and motivation which influence behaviour (COM-B), integrated data using a Theoretical Domains Framework (TDF) will support the creation and delivery of a pilot sepsis awareness program, which after testing to ascertain a shift in COM-B +TDF, will support translation of national standards into practice, enhance clinical governance in aged care, and ultimately improve safety and outcomes for one of Australia’s most vulnerable populations. 

Primary supervisor

Meet Professor Melanie Greenwood

Funding

Applicants will be considered for a Research Training Program (RTP) scholarship or Tasmania Graduate Research Scholarship (TGRS) which, if successful, provides:

• a living allowance stipend funded by University of Tasmania of $34,315 per annum for 3.5 years
• a relocation allowance of up to $2,000
• a tuition fees offset covering the cost of tuition fees for up to four years (domestic applicants only)

A tuition fee offset may be offered to eligible international applicants following competitive assessment 

As part of the application process you may indicate if you do not wish to be considered for scholarship funding.

Other funding opportunities and fees

For further information regarding other scholarships on offer, and the various fees for undertaking a research degree, please visit our Scholarships and fees on research degrees page.

Eligibility

Applicants should review the Higher Degree by Research minimum entry requirements.

Ensure your eligibility for the scholarship round by referring to our Key Dates.

Additional eligibility criteria specific to this project/scholarship:

• Registered Nurse with Ahpra

Selection criteria

The project is competitively assessed and awarded. Selection is based on academic merit and suitability to the project as determined by the College.

Additional essential selection criteria specific to this project:

• Registered Nurse with Ahpra

Additional desirable selection criteria specific to this project:

• Experience with care of the older person

Application process

1. Select your project, and check that you meet the eligibility and selection criteria, including citizenship;
2. Contact Professor Melanie Greenwood to discuss your suitability and the project's requirements; and
3. In your application:
   • Copy and paste the title of the project from this advertisement into your application. If you don’t correctly do this your application may be rejected.
   • Submit a signed supervisory support form, a CV including contact details of 2 referees and your project research proposal.
4. Apply prior to 1 October 2026.

Full details of the application process can be found under the ' How to apply ' section of the Research Degrees website.

Following the closing date applications will be assessed within the College. Applicants should expect to receive notification of the outcome by email by the advertised outcome date.

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