Dr Ritin Fernandez

• Biography
• Areas of Research/Teaching Expertise
• Grants/Current Projects
• Selected Publications
• Engagement Interests
• Contact Details

Biography

Dr Ritin Fernandez is a Senior Lecturer at the School of Nursing and Midwifery at UWS. Prior to this appointment she was the Manager of the South Western Sydney Centre for Applied Nursing Research (CANR), held from May 1999. Ritin is also the Deputy Director of the New South Wales Centre for Evidence Based Health Care (NSWCEBHC), which is the NSW Collaborative Centre of the Joanna Briggs Institute. Ritin has over 20 years of clinical experience, principally in coronary care and intensive care nursing. Ritin is actively involved in secondary prevention research related to heart disease management and is a strong advocate of the use of technology in this area. Along with other projects, Ritin is the principal investigator in Project DHARMA which is looking at Developing elements of Effective Interventions for Heart Disease Reduction and Maintenance in Asian Indians Living in Australia. Her teaching and research interests have focused on chronic disease management, cardiovascular disease, international students evidence based practice, randomised controlled trials and diagnostic studies. Ritin completed her first research project in 2000 and since then has been awarded research grants of $800,000. She has published 90 peer reviewed journal articles and over 70 peer reviewed conference presentations. Ritin is currently co-supervising five Research Higher Degree students. She is also an active peer reviewer for several national and international journals.

^ Back to top

Areas of Research/Teaching Expertise

Research Interests

Asian Indians and health 
Cardiovascular disease
Chronic disease
Technology in health
Systematic reviews
Research utilization
International students and education

Teaching Interests

Quantitative research methods
Research training and supervision
Cardiovascular nursing
Undergraduate research training
Evidence-Based Practice
Post-graduate research supervision

^ Back to top

Grants/Current Projects

Selected Grants

2010
Asian Indians and Heart disease
Funding:  University of Western Sydney
Research Team: 

2009
Developing elements of Effective Interventions for Heart Disease Reduction and Maintenance in Asian Indians Living in Australia. Project DHARMA
Funding: University of Western Sydney
Research Team: Fernandez, R., Davidson, P., Everett, B., Thompson, D., Rolley, J., Mohan, S., Rajaratnam, R.

2008
RCT comparing the effects of tap water vs normal saline on the infection and healing rates of wounds.
Funding: NHMRC
Research Team: Griffiths, R., Fernandez, R., Sussman, G., Rowland, J., & McLaws, M.

2006
RCT of health related lifestyle management for patients with CAD: A pilot study
Funding: Health Research Foundation Sydney South West.
Research Team: Fernandez R., & Griffiths R.

2006
Brief intervention for risk factor modification patients with coronary heart disease
Funding: Joanna Briggs Institute.
Research Team: Fernandez, R., & Griffiths R.

2005
Long-term follow-up of patients discharged following percutaneous coronary intervention for coronary artery disease
Funding: Health Research Foundation Sydney South West.
Research Team: Fernandez R., & Griffiths, R.

2003
Evaluating implementation of an evidence based wound care guideline in practice
Funding: Joanna Briggs Institute.
Research Team: Fernandez R., & Griffiths R.

2003
Insertion and management of nasograstric tubes for adults
Funding: Joanna Briggs Institute.
Research Team: Griffiths, R., Thompson, D., Chau, J., & Fernandez, R.

^ Back to top

Selected Publications

2011

Chau, J. P. C., Lo, S. H. S., Thompson, D. R., Fernandez, R., & Griffiths, R. (2011). Use of end-tidal carbon dioxide detection to determine correct placement of nasogastric tube: A meta-analysis. International Journal of Nursing Studies, 48(4), 513-521.

Connell, T., Griffiths, R., Fernandez, R. S., Tran, D., Agar, M., & Harlum, J. (2011). Quality-of-life trajectory of clients and carers referred to a community palliative care service. International Journal of Palliative Nursing, 17(2), 80-85.

Fernandez, R. S., Davidson, P., Griffiths, R., & Salamonson, Y. (2011). Improving cardiac rehabilitation services - Challenges for cardiac rehabilitation coordinators. European Journal of Cardiovascular Nursing, 10(1), 37-43.

Fernandez, R. S., Rowe, A., Redfern, J., Neubeck, L., & Briffa, T. (2011). Knowledge dissemination resulting from the Australian Cardiac Rehabilitation Association Annual Scientific Meetings. Heart, Lung and Circulation, 20(1), 19-23.

2010

Connell, T., Fernandez, R. S, Griffiths, R., Tran, D., Agar, M., Harlum, J., & Langdon, R. (2010). Perceptions of the impact of healthcare services provided to palliative care clients and their carers. International Journal of Palliative Nursing, 16(6), 274-284.

Fernandez, R. S, Pak-Chun Chau, J., Thompson, D. R, Griffiths, R., & Lo, H.-S. (2010). Accuracy of biochemical markers for predicting nasogastric tube placement in adults—A systematic review of diagnostic studies. International Journal of Nursing Studies, 47(8), 1037-1047.

Fernandez, R., Tran, D. T, Johnson, M., & Jones, S. (2010). Interdisciplinary communication in general medical and surgical wards using two different models of nursing care delivery. Journal of Nursing Management, 18(3), 265-274.

Lapkin, S., Levett-Jones, T., Bellchambers, H., & Fernandez, R. (2010). Effectiveness of patient simulation manikins in teaching clinical reasoning skills to undergraduate nursing students: A systematic review. Clinical Simulation in Nursing, 6(6), e207-e222.

Tran, D. T, Johnson, M., Fernandez, R., & Jones, S. (2010). A shared care model vs. a patient allocation model of nursing care delivery: Comparing nursing staff satisfaction and stress outcomes. International Journal of Nursing Practice, 16(2), 148-158.

2009

Fernandez, R. S., Griffiths, R., Everett, B., Davidson, P., Salamonson, Y., & Andrew, S. (2009). Effectiveness of brief structured interventions on risk factor modification for patients with coronary heart disease: a systematic review. Database of Abstracts of Reviews of Effects (DARE). Retrieved from: http://www.crd.york.ac.uk/CRDWeb/ShowRecord.asp?ID=12008008021

Fernandez, R. S., & Tran, D. T. (2009). The meta-analysis graph: Clearing the haze. Clinical Nurse Specialist, 23(2), 57-60.

Neubeck, L., Redfern J., Fernandez, R., Briffa, T., Bauman, A. & Freedman, S.B. (2009). Telehealth interventions for the secondary prevention of coronary heart disease: A systematic review. European Journal of Cardiovascular Prevention and Rehabilitation, 16(3), 281-289.

Rolley, J. X., Davidson, P. M., Salamonson, Y., Fernandez, R., & Dennison, C. R. (2009). Review of nursing care for patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention: A patient journey approach. Journal of Clinical Nursing, 18(17), 2394- 2405.

Tran, D. T., Stone, A. M., Fernandez, R. S., Griffiths, R. D., & Johnson, M. (2009). Does implementation of clinical practice guidelines change nurses' screening for alcohol and other substance use. Contemporary Nurse, 33(1), 13-19.

Tran, D. T., Stone, A. M., Fernandez, R. S., Griffiths, R. D., & Johnson, M. (2009). Changes in general nurses' knowledge of alcohol and substance use and misuse after education. Perspectives in Psychiatric Care, 45(2), 128-139.

Fernandez, R. S., Davidson, P., Griffiths, R., Juergens, C., Stafford, B., & Salamonson, Y. (2009). A pilot randomised controlled trial comparing a health-related lifestyle self-management intervention with standard cardiac rehabilitation following an acute cardiac event: Implications for a larger clinical trial. Australian Critical Care, 22(1), 17-27.

2008

Chair S. Y., Fernandez R, Lui M H-L, Lopez V, & Thompson D. R., (2008), The clinical effectiveness of length of bed rest for patients recovering from trans-femoral diagnostic cardiac catheterisation, International Journal of Evidence-Based Healthcare, 6(4), 352-390.

Fernandez R, Davidson P, Griffiths R, (2008). Cardiac Rehabilitation Coordinators' Perceptions of Patient-related Barriers to Implementing Cardiac Evidence-Based Guidelines, The Journal of Cardiovascular Nursing, 23(5), 449-457.

Fernandez, R., & Griffiths, R., (2008). Water for wound cleansing. Update. The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews Issue 1. This systematic review is the first Australian review to be disseminated via podcast at www.cochrane.org.

Fernandez, R., Griffiths, R., Aguilar, V., Tran, D., & Chester, R, (2008). Administration of medications by enrolled nurses: Perceptions of metropolitan and non-metropolitan registered nurses and nursing unit managers. Contemporary Nurse, 27(2), 237-245.

Fernandez R. S., Salamonson Y, Griffiths R, Juergens C, & Davidson P, (2008). Awareness of risk factors for coronary heart disease following interventional cardiology procedures: A key concern for nursing practice, International Journal of Nursing Practice, 14(6), 435-442.

Fernandez, R. S., Salamonson, Y., Griffiths, R., Juergens, C., & Davidson, P. (2008). Sociodemographic predictors and reasons for participation in an outpatient cardiac rehabilitation program following percutaneous coronary intervention. International Journal of Nursing Practice, 14(3), 237-242.

Fernandez, R. S., Salamonson, Y., Juergens, C., Griffiths, R., & Davidson, P. (2008). Development and preliminary testing of the Cardiac Rehabilitation Enrolment Obstacles (CREO) scale: Implications for service development. European Journal of Cardiovascular Nursing, 7(2), 96-102.

Halcomb E J., Fernandez R, Griffiths R, Newton P. J., & Hickman L, (2008), The infection control management of MRSA in acute care, International Journal of Evidence-Based Healthcare, 6(4), 440-467.

Halcomb E J, Griffiths R, & Fernandez R, (2008), Role of MRSA reservoirs in the acute care setting, International Journal of Evidence Based Health care, 6(1), 50-77.

Halcomb E J, Griffiths R, & Fernandez R, (2008), The role of patient isolation and compliance with isolation practices in the control of nosocomial MRSA in acute care, International Journal of Evidence-Based Healthcare, 6(2), 206-224.

Middleton S, Griffiths R, Fernandez R, & Smith B, (2008), Nursing practice environment: How does one Australian hospital compare with magnet hospitals? International Journal of Nursing Practice, 14(5), 366-372.

2007

Fernandez, R. S., Davidson, P., Salamonson, Y., Griffiths, R., & Juergens, C. (2007). The health related quality of life trajectory in patients after percutaneous coronary intervention: (Brief Report). Journal of Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation and Prevention, 27(4), 223-227.

Fernandez, R., Davidson, P., Griffiths, R., Juergens, C., & Salamonson, Y. (2007). Perception of coronary risk factors in patients following percutaneous coronary intervention. Heart, Lung and Circulation, 16(Supplement 2), S4.

Fernandez, R., Davidson, P., Griffiths, R., Juergens, C., & Salamonson, Y. (2007). What do we know about the long term medication adherence in patients following percutaneous coronary intervention? Australian Journal of Advanced Nursing, 25(2), 53-61.

Fernandez, R. S., Salamonson, Y., Juergens, C., Griffiths, R., & Davidson, P. (2007). Validation of the Revised Cardiac Rehabilitation Preference Form in patients with post-percutaneous coronary intervention (Brief Report). Journal of Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation and Prevention, 27(6), 390-394.

Fernandez, R., Griffiths, R., Everett, B., Davidson, P., Salamonson, Y., & Andrew, S. (2007). Effectiveness of brief structured interventions on risk factor modification for patients with coronary heart disease – A systematic review. International Journal of Evidence-Based Healthcare, 5(4), 370-405.

Fernandez, R.S., & Griffiths, R. (2007). Portable MP3 players: innovative devices for recording qualitative interviews. Nurse Researcher, 15(1), 7-15.

Fernandez, R., & Griffiths, R. (2007). Water for wound cleansing: A systematic review. International Journal of Evidence-Based Health Care, 3, 370-405.

2006

Fernandez, R. S., Griffiths, R., Juergens, C., Davidson, P. & Salamonson, Y. (2006). Persistence of coronary risk factor status in participants 12-18 months following percutaneous coronary intervention. Journal of Cardiovascular Nursing, 21(5), 379-387.

Fernandez, R. S., & Griffiths, R. D. (2006). Duration of short-term indwelling catheters - A systematic review of the evidence. Journal of Wound, Ostomy and Continence Nursing, 33(2), 145-153.

2005

Fernandez, R., & Griffiths, R. (2005). Water for wound cleansing. The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews Issue 1.

Griffiths R, Fernandez R. (2005). Policies for the removal of short-term indwelling urethral catheters. The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2005, Issue 1.

Fernandez, R., & Griffiths, R. (2005). A comparison of an evidence based regime with the standard protocol for monitoring postoperative observation: A randomised controlled trial. Australian Journal of Advanced Nursing, 23(1), 15-21.

2004

Fernandez, R., Griffiths, R., & Ussia, C. (2004). Effectiveness of solutions, techniques and pressure in wound cleansing. A systematic review. JBI Reports. Blackwell Publishing. ISSN 1479 697. (peer reviewed update of Systematic Review.)

Naylor, C-J., Griffiths, R. D., & Fernandez, R. S. (2004). Does a multidisciplinary Total Parental Nutrition Team improve patient outcomes? A systematic review. Journal of Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition, 28(4), 251-258.

Griffiths, R., Fernandez, R., & Mostacchi, M. (2004). A comparison of educational interventions for mental health consumers receiving psychotropic medication. A systematic review. JBI Reports 2(1). http://www.joannabriggs.edu.au

Griffiths, R. D., Fernandez, R. S., & Murie, P. (2004). Removal of short- term indwelling urethral catheters: The evidence. Journal of Wound, Ostomy & Continence Nursing, 31(5), 299-308.

2003

Fernandez, R., Griffiths, R., & Ussia, C. (2003). Solutions, techniques and pressure for wound cleansing. Best Practice, 7(1), 1-6.

Fernandez, R. S., Griffiths, R. D., & Murie, P. (2003). Peripheral venous catheters: A review of current practices. Journal of Infusion Nursing, 26(6), 388-392.

Fernandez, R., Griffiths, R., & Murie, P. (2003). A comparison of late night and early morning removal of short term urethral catheters: A systematic review. JBI Reports, 1(1). Blackwell Publishing.

Fernandez, R., Griffiths, R., & Naylor, C. (2003). Effectiveness of the multidisciplinary TPN Team in the hospital setting. JBI Reports, 1, 1-32. Blackwell Publishing.

2002

Halcomb, E. J., Fernandez, R., & Griffiths, R. (2002). MRSA management strategies in acute care hospitals: A systematic review. Australian Journal of Infection Control, 7(4), 128-135.

Fernandez, R., & Griffiths, R. (2002). Water for wound cleansing (Cochrane Review). In The Cochrane Library, Issue 4.

Griffiths, R., & Fernandez, R. (2002) A clinician based model for generating evidence-based practice. Singapore Nursing Journal, 29(2), 4-7.

Griffiths, R., Halcomb, L., & Fernandez, R. (2002). Identification of staphylococcal aures reservoirs in the acute hospital setting. A systematic review. Joanna Briggs Institute for Evidence Based Nursing and Midwifery. Adelaide. ISBN 0 9578276 6 0

Fernandez, R., Griffiths, R., Halcomb, E., & Chow, J. (2002) The infection control management of MRSA within the acute care hospital. A systematic review. Joanna Briggs Institute. ISBN 0 9578276 4 4

Fernandez, R. S., Griffiths, R. D., & Halcombe, E. J., (2002). Efficacy of patient isolation for the control of MRSA in the accute hopsital setting: A systematic review. Australian Infection Control, 7(1), 30-35.

^ Back to top

Engagement Interests

Committees and Memberships

• Member Royal College of Nursing Australia
• Affiliate Member Cardiac Society of Australia and New Zealand
• Member Australian Cardiac Rehabilitation Association
• Australian Cardiac Rehabilitation Association Scientific Committee
• Joanna Briggs Methods Review Group
• Joanna Briggs Economic Evaluation Review Group
• Family and Child Health UWS
• Cochrane Diagnostic Methods Group

^ Back to top