IARS 2026 International Outreach Travel Grant Interview: Sara Timerga Nemani, BSc, MSc, MPH

Outcomes and Predictors of Mortality on Prolonged Mechanical Ventilation in Critically Ill Patients: A Multicenter Retrospective Cohort Study

Abstract Presentation:

View Digital Poster on Meeting App and in Square Dorchester + Place du Canada, Convention Level at Fairmont The Queen Elizabeth, during the 2026 Annual Meeting, Presented by IARS and SOCCA

For the past three years serving as a Senior Anesthetist in the intensive care unit at the Dessie Comprehensive Specialized Hospital in Dessie, Ethiopia, Sara Timerga Nemani, BSc, MSc, MPH, has witnessed high mortality rates in patients who were on mechanical ventilation for more than 14 days. As an investigator, she sought to uncover the factors that lead to this high mortality rate in patients and discover if there are early interventions which might offer better patient outcomes. Dr. Nemani’s early studies used cohort and cross-sectional designs and eventually developed into broader analytical approaches such as systematic reviews and meta-analyses. Her current research project, “Outcomes and Predictors of Mortality on Prolonged Mechanical Ventilation in Critically Ill Patients: A Multicenter Retrospective Cohort Study,” which was recognized with an IARS 2026 International Outreach Travel Grant and the Thomas A. Cooper Travel Award, aims to unveil the most critical factors affecting survival in patients on prolonged mechanical ventilation. The research is examining whether early interventions, like timely tracheostomy, can meaningfully improve outcomes rather than just maintaining basic ventilator settings. During the 2026 Annual Meeting, presented by IARS and SOCCA, in Montreal, Canada, Dr. Nemani will share the results of her research via a digital poster. Below, she contemplates on the origins of her studies, her current investigations and their impact on patient care and how this travel grant will influence her career and research.

1. For this research, you are…

Principal investigator

2. What drew you to this area of research? Has it evolved?

Working in the intensive care unit at the Dessie Comprehensive Specialized Hospital (DCSH) for the past three years, I have observed a high mortality rate, particularly among patients who have been on mechanical ventilation for more than 14 days. This experience sparked my curiosity to better understand the factors contributing to this high mortality and motivated me to explore the determinants and outcomes associated with prolonged mechanical ventilation. My research interests have evolved over time; my earlier studies mainly used cohort and cross-sectional designs, but as my experience grew, I became more interested in broader analytical approaches such as systematic reviews and meta-analyses. This progression has led me to my current focus on survival analysis to better understand patient outcomes over time.

3. What are the goals you most want to accomplish in your work with this research project (or projects)?

The goal of our work is to identify and understand the key contributing factors for the high mortality among patients on prolonged mechanical ventilation.

4. What is the potential impact of your research on anesthesia and patient care?

By analyzing predictors of mortality in patients on prolonged mechanical ventilation, we aim to identify the most critical factors affecting survival, such as elevated respiratory rate and timing of tracheostomy. We want to examine whether early interventions, like timely tracheostomy, can meaningfully improve outcomes rather than just maintaining basic ventilator settings. Traditional ventilator management alone may not be sufficient to reduce mortality in this high-risk population.

5. How do you feel about receiving the IARS International Outreach Travel Grant?

I am honored to be an IARS International Outreach Travel Grant recipient. The meeting will be a great platform to present my findings and will also create an opportunity to network and collaborate with the brightest and most experienced researchers in anesthesia. Without this grant, I wouldn’t have been able to participate in this prestigious event. Moreover, it serves as a motivation to have our work recognized and to highlight the possible impact of our research in the field of anesthesia.

6. How will this grant affect your research and professional trajectory?

This grant will provide visibility for my work on an international platform and the opportunity to engage with recognized researchers in anesthesia and critical care. This exposure will serve as a steppingstone for future collaborations and research projects.

7. What are the benefits of presenting your research at the IARS Annual Meeting?

The benefits of presenting my research at the IARS Annual meeting are the international audience exposure and the constructive feedback from experts. It also means I will be an audience to presentations on the most recent findings in anesthesia, critical care and pain medicine.

8. Outside of your research, what might someone be surprised to learn about you?

I possess a distinct perspective on cinema, appreciating it as an art form that goes beyond mere entertainment. I also enjoy outdoor activities like hiking to relax and recharge.