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Orla Smith

RN, PhD

Investigator

Email: Orla.Smith@unityhealth.to
Tel: 416-864-6060 ext. 3179

Research Programs

Biography

Please note: Dr. Smith is not taking any summer students.

My main areas of research interest are decision-making and evidence-based practice in critical care. I am currently conducting a multi-centre study of decision-making preferences and psychological outcomes in family members of critically ill patients funded by Sigma Theta Tau International (STTI). Our research group has recently commenced a program of research to better understand the relationship between homelessness and intensive care unit utilization. I am also currently involved in the development of two national evidence based guidelines related to the prevention and management of ventilator associated pneumonia and the implementation of therapeutic hypothermia post-cardiac arrest.

 

Recent Publications

  1. Takaoka, A, Vanstone, M, Neville, TH, Goksoyr, S, Swinton, M, Clarke, FJ et al.. Family and Clinician Experiences of Sympathy Cards in the 3 Wishes Project. Am J Crit Care. 2020;29 (6):422-428. doi: 10.4037/ajcc2020733. PubMed PMID:33130860 .
  2. STARRT-AKI Investigators, Canadian Critical Care Trials Group, Australian and New Zealand Intensive Care Society Clinical Trials Group, United Kingdom Critical Care Research Group, Canadian Nephrology Trials Network, Irish Critical Care Trials Group et al.. Timing of Initiation of Renal-Replacement Therapy in Acute Kidney Injury. N Engl J Med. 2020;383 (3):240-251. doi: 10.1056/NEJMoa2000741. PubMed PMID:32668114 .
  3. Smith, OM, Metcalfe, K, Puts, M, McDonald, E, Sue-Chee, S, Friedrich, JO et al.. Role Incongruence and Psychological Stress Symptoms in Substitute Decision Makers of Intensive Care Patients. Am J Crit Care. 2020;29 (4):301-310. doi: 10.4037/ajcc2020307. PubMed PMID:32607568 .
  4. Vanstone, M, Neville, TH, Swinton, ME, Sadik, M, Clarke, FJ, LeBlanc, A et al.. Expanding the 3 Wishes Project for compassionate end-of-life care: a qualitative evaluation of local adaptations. BMC Palliat Care. 2020;19 (1):93. doi: 10.1186/s12904-020-00601-5. PubMed PMID:32605623 PubMed Central PMC7325646.
  5. Neville, TH, Clarke, F, Takaoka, A, Sadik, M, Vanstone, M, Phung, P et al.. Keepsakes at the End of Life. J Pain Symptom Manage. 2020;60 (5):941-947. doi: 10.1016/j.jpainsymman.2020.06.011. PubMed PMID:32574658 .
  6. Takaoka, A, Honarmand, K, Vanstone, M, Tam, B, Smith, OM, Baker, A et al.. Organ Donation at the End of Life: Experiences From the 3 Wishes Project. J Intensive Care Med. 2020; :885066619900125. doi: 10.1177/0885066619900125. PubMed PMID:31960743 .
  7. Dale, CM, Rose, L, Carbone, S, Smith, OM, Burry, L, Fan, E et al.. Protocol for a multi-centered, stepped wedge, cluster randomized controlled trial of the de-adoption of oral chlorhexidine prophylaxis and implementation of an oral care bundle for mechanically ventilated critically ill patients: the CHORAL study. Trials. 2019;20 (1):603. doi: 10.1186/s13063-019-3673-0. PubMed PMID:31651364 PubMed Central PMC6814100.
  8. Rose, L, Istanboulian, L, Smith, OM, Silencieux, S, Cuthbertson, BH, Amaral, ACK et al.. Feasibility of the electrolarynx for enabling communication in the chronically critically ill: The EECCHO study. J Crit Care. 2018;47 :109-113. doi: 10.1016/j.jcrc.2018.06.013. PubMed PMID:29945066 .
  9. Smith, OM, Chant, C, Burns, KEA, Kaur, M, Ashraf, S, DosSantos, CC et al.. Characteristics, clinical course, and outcomes of homeless and non-homeless patients admitted to ICU: A retrospective cohort study. PLoS One. 2017;12 (6):e0179207. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0179207. PubMed PMID:28604792 PubMed Central PMC5467852.
  10. Rose, L, Dale, C, Smith, OM, Burry, L, Enright, G, Fergusson, D et al.. A mixed-methods systematic review protocol to examine the use of physical restraint with critically ill adults and strategies for minimizing their use. Syst Rev. 2016;5 (1):194. doi: 10.1186/s13643-016-0372-8. PubMed PMID:27871314 PubMed Central PMC5117692.
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Affiliations & Other Activities

  • Research Manager, Critical Care, St. Michael’s Hospital
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