NIHR Oxford Biomedical Research Centre

Enabling translational research through partnership

MENUMENU
  • About
    • About the NIHR Oxford Biomedical Research Centre
    • NIHR Oxford BRC impact
    • Steering Committee
    • Promoting equality, diversity and inclusion in research
    • Current Vacancies
    • Stay in Touch
    • Contact Us
  • Research

        • Research Overview
        • Clinical Research Facility
        • Health Economics
        • Ethics in the NIHR Oxford BRC
        • Medical Statistics
        • Infections in Oxfordshire Database (IORD)
        • 15 Research Themes

        • Cancer
        • Cardiovascular Medicine
        • Digital Health from Hospital to Home
        • Gene and Cell Therapy
        • Genomic Medicine
        • Imaging
        • Inflammation across Tissues
        • Life-saving Vaccines
        • Metabolic Experimental Medicine
        • Modernising Medical Microbiology and Big Infection Diagnostics
        • Musculoskeletal
        • Preventive Neurology
        • Respiratory Medicine
        • Surgical Innovation, Technology and Evaluation
        • Translational Data Science
  • Patient and Public Involvement
    • For patients and the public
    • For researchers
    • More information
  • Training Hub
    • Training Hub Overview
    • Clinical Academic Pathway
    • Internships
    • Pre-doctoral Research Fellowships
    • Senior Research Fellowships
    • Research Training Bursaries
    • Doctoral Awards
    • Post-Doctoral Awards
    • PARC Programme
    • Other funding
    • Leadership Training
    • Useful Links
    • Training and Education Resources
    • Upcoming Training Events & Courses
  • Industry
    • Collaborate with Oxford BRC
    • Who Do We Work With?
    • Events
    • Further Information and Additional Resources
    • Contacts for Industry
  • Videos
  • News
  • Events
Research Theme

Modernising Medical Microbiology and Big Infection Diagnostics

Infections in Oxfordshire Database (IORD)
Home > Research Themes Overview > Modernising Medical Microbiology and Big Infection Diagnostics > Infections in Oxfordshire Research Database > IORD Projects > Understanding factors associated with pneumonia after stroke

IORD Project

Understanding factors associated with pneumonia after stroke

ONGOING
IORD category: Specific Infections
Chief Investigator: Dr James Garrard
Sponsor: OUH
Research location: OUH NHS Trust
Approval date: 04 Dec 2023

From a recent audit using clinical observation standards, we have identified that 1 in 4 patients admitted through the Hyperacute Stroke Unit at Oxford University Hospitals deteriorate, and that infection may play an important role in some deteriorations. National monitoring consistently demonstrates that 1 in 10 stroke patients are treated for pneumonia within the first week after admission to hospital, but it remains unclear which patients are at risk of deterioration or pneumonia. The next step is to explore, in detail, routinely collected electronic medical record information, to better understand what happens to patients after admission to hospital with acute stroke, and what role pneumonia plays.

One concern is that patients are given antibiotics too often. The reason for starting antibiotics is usually a combination of clinical findings with raised blood markers of infection, but it has been demonstrated that raised white blood cell count can be associated with brain swelling rather than infection, for example. Clinical trials of giving antibiotics to patients before pneumonia develops have also failed to demonstrate any evidence of benefit.

We aim to use the clinical information to develop a tool to predict which patients will develop pneumonia. With ongoing involvement with the clinical service, we hope that this study can drive improvements in antibiotic usage after stroke.

MODERNISING MEDICAL MICROBIOLOGY AND BIG INFECTION DIAGNOSTICS →

Infections in Oxfordshire Database (IORD)

  • IORD Overview
    • What data is in IORD?
    • Different kinds of data in IORD
    • Who can use the data?
    • How do they get the data?
    • What do they do with the data?
    • What kind of questions has IORD answered? Why is this important?
    • What was it like before IORD?
    • Opting out
  • IORD Application Trajectory
  • IORD Projects
  • IORD Publications
  • IORD Privacy Notice
  • IORD Glossary
  • IORD FAQs
  • IORD Infographics

Subscribe to the Oxford BRC Newsletter

Keep informed about the work of the Oxford BRC by subscribing to our Mailchimp e-newsletter. It is produced several times a year and delivers news and information about upcoming events straight to your inbox.

Subscribe Now

Feedback

We’d love to hear your feedback. Please contact us at [email protected]

Oxford BRC on Social Media

  • Bluesky
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn
  • Threads
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
  • Data Control and Privacy
  • Accessibility
  • Our Partners
  • Disclaimer
  • Contact

Copyright © 2025 NIHR Oxford Biomedical Research Centre