1522 research outputs found
Sort by
Digitising Wound Assessment, Management, Documentation within an Irish Public Health Nurse Setting- a Proof of Concept Evaluation.
Full text linkBackground • The advanced nurse practitioners (clinical leads) identified variations in wound care assessment and documentation including inconsistent approach to wound care and assessment, no continuity of care, poor wound care knowledge, limited access to measuring equipment and subjective documentation of wound care through prevalence studies and research • These findings were in contrast to the recommended wound assessment and documentation advocated in the Irish National Wound Care Guidelines (HSE, 2018). • Both clinical leads were working in 2 large rural geographical areas in the eastern region of Ireland with limited access to tissue viability, vascular and dermatology services all of which were hospital based. • A key challenge was the lack of a standardised objective wound assessment and documentation tool that could provide the transfer of patient assessment, management and progress across care settings such a solution would provide a a seamless and quality driven wound care service. • The clinical leads recognised that the implementation of a digital technology solution could provide an effective, efficient and value driven approach to wound imaging, wound documentation and wound consultations. Aim: • Facilitate efficient, reliable digital wound imaging, wound measurement and digital monitoring of chronic and acute wound progress on one data platform to provide clinicians access to real time wound status data. Objectives: • Procure a digital solution that supports system-wide evidence based wound care. • Evaluate the suitability for expanding the concept of digital wound assessment for wider adoption Methods: 8 steps in the proof of concept • Ideation • Clinical Leadership and Governance • Innovation funding • Business Planning including market engagement • Organisational preparedness, planning and preparation • Training and support • Implementation • Evaluation Outcome/Results of the initiative: • Questionnaires were developed for data collection and they were administered via a digital survey platform providing anonymous and self-reported data from the participants. • The pre-intervention questionnaire established a baseline of current practice in relation to wound assessment and documentation. It also provided us with staffs’ accessibility to and confidence with the current digital technology available in their work place. • The post -evaluation questionnaire captured both qualitative and quantitative data which measured the usability and feasibility of the digital solution in clinical practice 67% of staff reported that the input of assessment information on the digital app was easy. Further benefits reported included 83% of users reporting that the digital application improved continuity of care, enhanced their communication with fellow clinicians and more notably patients, improved their documentation and had a positive impact on their clinical workflo
Microbial profiling of liquid feed for pigs and the impact of strategies to optimise feed microbial quality on the feed and pig gut microbiome
Full text linkThe objectives of this thesis were to (1) develop an optimal methodology for simultaneous profiling of liquid feed and pig gut bacteriome and mycobiome; (2) profile the bacteriome and mycobiome of liquid feed on commercial pig farms; (3) determine the impact of different feed form and delivery methods on the feed and pig gut bacteriome; (4) determine whether intensive sanitisation of liquid feeding systems improves system hygiene and the microbiological and nutritional quality of liquid feed and if it impacts the bacteriome and mycobiome of feed and feeding system surfaces. All experiments were conducted with grow-finisher feed/pigs. The optimal method for simultaneously profiling the bacteriome and mycobiome of liquid feed and pig faeces included a 20-minute bead-beating step to minimise lysis bias. Application of this methodology on liquid feed samples from commercial pig farms revealed increased relative abundances of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) (Lactobacillus, Weissella and Leuconostoc) and yeasts (Kazachstania and Dipodascus) between liquid feed in the mixing tank and troughs, consistent with spontaneous fermentation. This was supported by moderate concentrations of biogenic amines, the products of amino acid degradation, which likely contributes to the poorer feed efficiency of liquid-fed pigs. The LAB, Leuconostoc, which was associated with spontaneous fermentation in liquid feed, was enriched in the ileal and faecal bacteriome of liquid-fed pigs and correlated with higher feed intake and poorer feed efficiency. This may, in part, explain the poorer feed efficiency of liquid-fed pigs observed in the study. Intensive sanitisation of the liquid feeding system removed pipeline biofilms, improved system hygiene and reduced concentrations of acetic acid, ethanol and biogenic amines in the liquid feed. Bacteriome and mycobiome profiling revealed differences in liquid feed post-cleaning, including predominance of fermentative Weissella and Kazachstania in the residual trough-sampled feed, however, fermentation-associated metabolites remained below pre-cleaning concentrations at 10 weeks post-cleaning
Evaluation of the metal additive manufacturing process through the study of the recyclability of metal powders and in-situ monitoring
Full text linkLaser powder bed fusion (L-PBF) processes are becoming frequently applied
within a wide range of industries. Enabling the production of complex,
high-value components, within the medical device and aerospace industries
where regulations drive the requirement for stringent quality control. Powder
material used in the L-PBF process can be costly, and as it is rare for a full
batch of virgin powder to be used in one build, it is frequently recycled for
subsequent builds. Therefore, it is useful to characterise both the powder material
being recycled and the final printed component properties. Characterisation of
the recycled powder and the parts allows the feasibility of powder recycling
to be assessed. Methods required to extend the utility of a single batch of
powder through a process called powder rejuvenation are also investigated.
Thus, quantifying the effectiveness of allowing a previously recycled powder
to be utilised further in the L-PBF process. With an understanding of the effect
of recycling and rejuvenation processes on the powder and the manufactured
part properties an empirical model for the prediction of the part density and
surface roughness are developed. This allows the user to input the current
powder characteristics to predict the manufactured part qualities. Furthermore,
the ability to monitor components as they are being built layer-by-layer enables
their quality to be assessed. Using in-situ monitoring, the identification of defects
as well as measurement of the layers throughout a build allows for greater
quality control, as well as a reduction in the requirement for ex-situ measurement.
Results from this work provide L-PBF operators with understanding of the effect
that recycled and rejuvenating of powders have on the quality of the components
produced. Also providing a method to monitor the component layer-wise
throughout the process. This will facilitate a more controlled use of L-PBF within
the highly regulated industries
A Tale of a Modern Meitheal: SETU Sustainability in the Arts Festival : Fostering SDGs Through Creative Collective Action
Full text linkIn the narrative of sustainability, the concept of the traditional Irish ‘meitheal’ emerges as a powerful metaphor for fostering collective action towards the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This presentation explores the dynamic interplay between creativity, collective action, and sustainability within the framework of a modern meitheal. SETU, a university with a multi-campus presence in the south east, serves as the backdrop for this story of collective effort. Anchored by the university's strategic commitment to sustainability, and exemplified in its roadmap "Connecting for Impact", the narrative unfolds through the lens of SETU's "Sustainability in the Arts Festival". This festival, now in its second year, serves as a vibrant testament to the community's dedication to sustainability. It embodies the spirit of the traditional meitheal, where individuals come together to tackle common challenges. Through a diverse array of creative expression encompassing visual arts, design, music, culinary arts, languages, and internationalising higher education, the festival becomes a melting pot of ideas and inspiration. At its core, the festival is a platform for fostering understanding and engagement with the SDGs. Through interactive workshops, exhibitions, and performances, participants are not only entertained but also educated about the significance of sustainable development. This creative multidisciplinary approach ensures that sustainability becomes accessible and relatable to all, transcending traditional disciplinary boundaries. This presentation paints a vivid picture of a modern meitheal in action, where creativity and collective action converge to foster sustainability and advance the global agenda of the SDGs. The success of the festival underscores SETU's commitment to leading sustainable change within its community and beyond. By harnessing the collective energies and talents of its stakeholders, SETU, through collaborative initiatives like the "Sustainability in the Arts Festival" fosters a culture of innovation, creativity, and shared responsibility, driving progress towards the realisation of the SDGs
Advanced Nurse Practitioners Actualising, Adopting, Integrating and Championing Digital Transformation.
Full text linkBackground In their digital health capability framework, the Office of the Nursing and Midwifery Services Director outlined the vital role that nurses and midwives will play in advocating, planning and implementing digital health. Similarly, the Department of Health Report of the Expert Body on Nursing and Midwifery identifies that nurses and midwives are among the crucial elements in the understanding, development and demonstration of digital technology in clinical practice. Advanced Nurse Practitioners (ANP’s) can lead by using their unique strategic operational position to actualise, adopt, integrate, champion and drive digital technologies in clinical practice. Purpose To discuss the lived experience of two Advanced Nurse Practitioners in driving digital transformation in healthcare and map an evolving skillset. Discussion Digital technologies can be utilised in several ways such as capturing digital data to improve health research, joining up provision between services and improving patients' self-management of conditions to influence health outcomes. Paradoxically, despite the noted advantages and recent impetus of digital technology in clinical practice, the actualising, implementation and integration remains stagnant. There are six core competencies of Advanced Nursing Practice in Ireland; Professional Values and Conduct, Management and Team Competence, Clinical-Decision Making, Knowledge and Cognitive Competence, Communication and Interpersonal Competence and Leadership and Professional Scholarship. Lockwood describes four themes in relation to ANP clinical autonomy- “stepping up”, “living it”, “bounce-back ability” and “setting in motion”, we have used these themes to guide our discussion and reflection. We acknowledge both the importance and relevance of the six core competencies of Advanced Nursing Practice in this project however, we propose that based on our experience and learning that fundamental to the adoption of digital health in clinical practice it is imperative that ANP’s develop a further skillset which encompasses digital expertise, foresight, innovation and entrepreneurship. Conclusion There is limited reference to the academic preparation required within the current ANP education programme to adopt and integrate digital technology in clinical practice. To prepare candidates to actualise, adopt, integrate, champion and drive digital health in clinical practice we propose the integration of the identified digital health skillset as competencies in post-graduate advanced nurse practice education curriculum
Advanced Nurse Practitioners Actualising, Adopting, Integrating and Championing Digital Transformation.
Full text linkBackground In their digital health capability framework, the Office of the Nursing and Midwifery Services Director outlined the vital role that nurses and midwives will play in advocating, planning and implementing digital health. Similarly, the Department of Health Report of the Expert Body on Nursing and Midwifery identifies that nurses and midwives are among the crucial elements in the understanding, development and demonstration of digital technology in clinical practice. Advanced Nurse Practitioners (ANP’s) can lead by using their unique strategic operational position to actualise, adopt, integrate, champion and drive digital technologies in clinical practice. Purpose To discuss the lived experience of two Advanced Nurse Practitioners in driving digital transformation in healthcare and map an evolving skillset. Discussion Digital technologies can be utilised in several ways such as capturing digital data to improve health research, joining up provision between services and improving patients' self-management of conditions to influence health outcomes. Paradoxically, despite the noted advantages and recent impetus of digital technology in clinical practice, the actualising, implementation and integration remains stagnant. There are six core competencies of Advanced Nursing Practice in Ireland; Professional Values and Conduct, Management and Team Competence, Clinical-Decision Making, Knowledge and Cognitive Competence, Communication and Interpersonal Competence and Leadership and Professional Scholarship. Lockwood describes four themes in relation to ANP clinical autonomy- “stepping up”, “living it”, “bounce-back ability” and “setting in motion”, we have used these themes to guide our discussion and reflection. We acknowledge both the importance and relevance of the six core competencies of Advanced Nursing Practice in this project however, we propose that based on our experience and learning that fundamental to the adoption of digital health in clinical practice it is imperative that ANP’s develop a further skillset which encompasses digital expertise, foresight, innovation and entrepreneurship. Conclusion There is limited reference to the academic preparation required within the current ANP education programme to adopt and integrate digital technology in clinical practice. To prepare candidates to actualise, adopt, integrate, champion and drive digital health in clinical practice we propose the integration of the identified digital health skillset as competencies in post-graduate advanced nurse practice education curriculum
Le Cheile (together) : Developing a Culture of Sustainability and Collaboration through Inclusive Internationalisation in Irish Higher Education
Full text linkInitially an introspective state, Ireland has become increasingly outward-looking since joining the European Economic Community, now the EU, in 1973. When the Sustainable Development Goals 2030 were launched in 2015, the UN emphasised that Global Citizenship Education would be a catalyst to achieving them. The Irish Government’s recently published strategy on the internationalisation of education, Global Citizens 2030: Ireland's International Talent and Innovation Strategy, and its two predecessors, are testament to this global perspective, and the belief that internationalisation is at the heart of Global Citizenship Education. There has been a plethora of literature over the last thirty years highlighting the benefits of engaging in internationalisation activities. For example, in addition to enhancing graduate employability and the global reputation of participating higher education institutions (HEIs), partaking in internationalisation activities provides access to alternative perspectives, improves adaptability and problem-solving, and increases understanding of global challenges. The Irish Government recognise this, as is reflected in the national international education strategy documents. Meanwhile, attending to Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) has also become a key focus of Irish HE, with dedicated teams and vice-presidents put in place to imbed EDI policies and practices in our HEIs. Unfortunately, however, this has resulted in internationalisation, EDI, and sustainability becoming viewed in Irish HE as competing priorities, when in fact they each lend to the other, and should be approached collaboratively. Where internationalisation activities, such as study abroad and student exchange, have seemed prohibitive to many, taking an inclusive approach to internationalisation will ensure that Irish HEIs produce interculturally competent and open-minded global citizen graduates, capable of addressing the world’s grand challenges such as climate change, access to education, and health and well-being. This poster presents my research on inclusive internationalisation in Irish higher education and how it is central to achieving sustainability goals
Pre- and post-weaning nutritional and management strategies to increase piglet growth and reduce antimicrobial usage
Full text linkThe objectives of this thesis were to (1) investigate the application of split-suckling with/without postpartum provision of a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug to the sow on colostrum intake in suckling pigs and on lifetime growth, health, and medicinal usage in pigs; (2) determine the effect of providing a dry pelleted starter diet, a liquid milk replacer, and a liquid mixture of milk replacer and starter diet to suckling pigs, (3) assess the effect of 1% L-glutamine or enzyme supplementation of liquid creep feed and (4) determine the effect of post-weaning supplementary milk and/or dietary inclusion of 1% L-glutamine; on lifetime growth, health and medicinal usage in pigs. A single injection of meloxicam provided to sows post-partum reduced clinical cases of disease, tended to reduce medication usage in piglets and increased growth in pigs during the suckling and early post-weaning periods, and carcass weight at slaughter. This was most likely due to an increase in colostrum intake. No benefits were observed for split-suckling. Supplementing suckling piglets with liquid milk replacer or dry pelleted starter diet increased growth up to weaning but the benefit did not persist to slaughter. L-glutamine- or enzyme-supplemented liquid creep feed did not improve lifetime growth in pigs; in fact, L-glutamine tended to decrease weaning weight and to increase diarrhoea prevalence. As a post-weaning strategy, supplementing pigs with liquid milk replacer for 10 days post-weaning increased feed intake and improved small intestinal morphology, leading to increased slaughter weight. It also increased abundance of beneficial faecal bacteria and decreased expression of genes encoding pro-inflammatory cytokines. However, L-glutamine supplementation in liquid milk replacer post-weaning had no benefits. Furthermore, supplementing suckling or early-weaned pigs with a liquid diet with/without feed additives (L-glutamine or enzymes) did not influence medicinal usage