Sarah Kuhle

• Collated and actioned input from Queensland Ambulance Service, Emergency Departments, Interventional Neuroradiologists, Stroke Unit Teams, Hospital and Health Service Executives, Health Purchasing, Health Technology Managers, Radiology Departments, and other stakeholders as identified.
• Implemented a temporary state-wide process of selection, transport, and treatment with ECR for eligible ischaemic stroke patients.
• Provided specialised project management skills and services to support the design, implementation, testing, training, and evaluation of a six-month trial of CT Perfusion software – StrokeViewer.
• Worked directly with staff in 2 comprehensive stroke services and 10 referring hospitals across 7 Hospital and Health Services.
• Repaired professional relationships with internal and external stakeholders to achieve trial outcomes.
• Worked collaboratively with project team to provide policy and strategic advice to project sponsor, and other stakeholders as required to inform decision making and governance direction to achieve project deliverables with minimal slippage.
• Systematically collected and reported on all data required to effectively plan and monitor service effectiveness and efficiency to key stakeholders via regular reporting processes.
• Used ethical decision making and Queensland Health change management principles in the achievement of project goals, escalated instances of concern through appropriate interdepartmental channels.
• Applied safety, quality risk management frameworks to inform and contribute to the strategic and professional direction of the project.
• Produced policy and procedure documents with additional accompanying clinical education documents.
• Composed briefs, memos, grants applications, reports, workshops, and presentations for multiple government and non-government departments to support trial reconfiguration.
• Proactively monitored and reported progress against the project plan, to achieve deliverables, and as necessary recommended and sought advice, and oversaw remedial and corrective action where progress fell outside agreed project scope escalated concerns appropriately.

• Queensland manger of a clincical trial combining advanced CT brain imaging and streamlined workflows in primary stroke centres, supported by a metropolitan comprehensive stroke centre.
• The study evaluated the effectiveness of a packaged education intervention of advanced CT imaging, streamlined workflows, triage and transport and reperfusion pathways/protocol training in providing better access for patients to reperfusion therapies.

Key tasks included:

• Recruiting participants and supporting 18 sites to secure ethics approvals, onboard into the trial and Australian Stroke Clinical Registry (AuSCR) data collection system.
• Providing technical support to install and use MIStar perfusion imaging software and defining distribution processes.
• Managing VR headsets and applications, and providing user training.
• Organizing and running multiple face-to-face, virtual, and application-based workshops, including extensive travel bookings and scheduling conflicts (Covid).
• Redesigning and delivering each site's stroke service systems during the trial.
• Assisting with the collection of (or) collecting rigorous and timely case data.
• Analyzing data and co-authoring papers and presentations.

Overall, the TACTICS study was a complex and ambitious trial that required a high level of coordination and expertise across a range of disciplines.

Specific tasks that required specialized knowledge and skills included:

• Technical support for MIStar perfusion imaging software and VR headset and application management: This required knowledge of medical imaging software and VR hardware and software, as well as the ability to troubleshoot and provide support to users.
• Redesigning and delivering stroke service systems: This required knowledge of stroke care and the ability to work with clinicians to develop and implement new systems.
• Collecting and analyzing rigorous and timely case data: This required knowledge of research methods and data analysis.
• Co-authoring papers and presentations: This required strong writing and presentation skills.

In addition to these specialized tasks, the TACTICS study also required strong project management skills, the ability to work effectively with a wide range of stakeholders, and the ability to handle unexpected challenges.

• Led the successful progression of all required legal documentation to create a new business and charity with tax deductable status, forming the largest collective representation of the acute stroke nursing workforce in Australia.
• Produced and hosted a web-based acute stroke management course for post-graduate nurses, hosted on a newly rebuilt webpage.
• Served on the Board of Directors (Treasurer), including budget management reporting and funding procurement.
• Acted as server, webpage, membership, and social media administrator.
• Served as system administrator for all associated business and education applications.
• Created graphic design for web, presentation, and corporate branding use.
• Presented, chaired, and hosted web-based and face-to-face conference sessions.
• Led current business development initiatives,including a drop shipping platform for fundraising, major philanthropic grant procurement, national credentialing of acute stroke nursing workforce qualifications, and alignment of acute stroke nursing workforce role standards (new organizational branch).

• Secured funding for a new regional ECR suite in Far North Queensland.
• Obtained $24 million in service expansion seed funding for Queensland's 4 ECR centres.
• Facilitated the installation and rollout of 17 CT perfusion imaging trial licences and the procurement of 24 additional licences.
• Led the redistribution of existing HHS stroke catchment boundaries to meet geographical retrieval needs.
• Updated and/or created all relevant state-wide stroke service policies.
• Produced Queensland's first state-wide stroke clinician guide to incorporate all ECR service requirements and consolidate pre-existing acute stroke care processes.
• Produced a state-wide self-directed learning package for nurses.
• Produced the first externally authored TeleStroke Business case.
• Led the statewide gap analysis and development of an integrated project plan to improve systematic access to ECR in Queensland using perfusion imaging to enhance appropriate patient selection prior to transfer.
• Collated and actioned input from a wide range of stakeholders, including the Queensland Ambulance Service, Emergency Departments, Interventional Neuroradiologists, Stroke Unit Teams, Hospital and Health Service Executives, Health Purchasing, Health Technology Managers, Radiology Departments, and others.
• Systematically collected and reported on all data required to effectively plan and monitor service effectiveness and efficiency to key stakeholders via regular reporting processes.
• Implemented a state-wide process of selection, transport, and treatment with ECR for eligible ischaemic stroke patients, which is equitable, safe, efficient, sustainable, and underpinned by high quality data with intent to research, review, publish and present outcomes.
• Composed briefs, memos, grants applications, reports, workshops and presentations for multiple government and non-government departments.
• Actively sought and successfully obtained grant and research opportunities from external providers.
• Assisted in other network activities as required.
• Coordinated and administered large clinician and executive working and writing groups.
• Produced policy and procedure documents with additional accompanying clinical education documents.

• Coordinated the acute care of stroke admissions in keeping with Stroke Foundation best practice guidelines and QSCN endorsement criteria.
• Implemented local quality improvement initiatives to improve stroke client outcomes.
• Ran income positive TIA clinics to reduce stroke incidence and admission rates.
• Ran biannual full day stroke care workshops, hosted state-wide.
• Undertook stroke research and data collection for national and state stroke groups.
• Actively sought and successfully obtained grant and research opportunities from external providers.
• Provided ongoing management and complication reduction education to stroke carers and staff.
• Presented and participated at seminars and stroke interest groups.
• Facilitated and coordinated interventions of the stroke unit team.
• Developed, published and implemented local stroke policies and guidelines.
• Maintained an up to date and thorough understanding of stroke specific protocols.
• Participated effectively within a multidisciplinary team approach to client care.
• Provided relevant and effective support and
• Coordinated the acute care of stroke admissions in keeping with Stroke Foundation best practice guidelines and QSCN endorsement criteria.
• Implemented local quality improvement initiatives to improve stroke client outcomes.
• Ran income positive TIA clinics to reduce stroke incidence and admission rates.
• Provided ongoing management and complication reduction education to stroke carers and staff.
• Facilitated and coordinated interventions of the stroke unit team.
• Participated effectively within a multidisciplinary team approach to client care.
• Ran biannual full day stroke care workshops, hosted state-wide.
• Undertook stroke research and data collection for national and state stroke groups.
• Actively sought and successfully obtained grant and research opportunities from external providers.
• Presented and participated at seminars and stroke interest groups.
• Developed, published and implemented local stroke policies and guidelines.
• Maintained an up to date and thorough understanding of stroke specific protocols.
• Provided relevant and effective support and knowledge to colleagues.

• Frequently backfilled NO7 roles.
• Managed stroke clients and provided family counselling and education.
• Provided on-ward palliative care and rehabilitation.
• Administered peritoneal dialysis and trained, assessed, and maintained competency in peritoneal dialysis.
• Provided haemodialysis client care and education.
• Managed renal clients.
• Performed phlebotomy, cannulation, and venous access device management.
• Administered extensive medication and performed client assessments.
• Supervised and delegated duties to RNs, EENs, ENs, AINs, agency and casual staff.
• Regularly provided in-servicing, training, and PAD review to colleagues.
• Developed advanced discharge plans for overseas and rural/remote regions.
• Acquired advanced communication skills within a multicultural catchment.