Lenus, The Irish Health Repository Collection:

Measures to reduce alcohol consumption in Ireland: Understanding the environmental health officer's role and implications for policy

Thu, 01 Jan 2015 00:00:00 GMT

Title: Measures to reduce alcohol consumption in Ireland: Understanding the environmental health officer's role and implications for policy Authors: McCaul, Rose Description: The aim of this quantitative study was to assess the knowledge and attitudes of EHO’s to the sale and consumption of alcohol in Ireland and also their views relating to their role in the enforcement of the forthcoming Public Health (Alcohol) legislation. It was anticipated that the outcome of this research would identify the barriers to the effective implementation of the proposed legislation to reduce the harmful consumption of alcohol.

Flexibile endoscope reprocessing in the Republic of Ireland : staff education and testing of automatic endoscope reprocessors

Mon, 28 Jul 2014 00:00:00 GMT

Title: Flexibile endoscope reprocessing in the Republic of Ireland : staff education and testing of automatic endoscope reprocessors Authors: Mc Namee, John Description: Abstract The focus of this research was flexible endoscope reprocessing in the Republic of Ireland, focusing on staff education and testing of Automatic Endoscope Reprocessors (AER’s). A study of this kind is important as flexible endoscope reprocessing has been recognised as being fraught with difficulties from all around the world due to breaches in the multistep processes involved in reprocessing (Spinzi et al.2008, Dirlam Langlay et al. 2013, Bajolet et al.2013). Incidents of patients being exposed to infection as a result of ineffective cleaning are still making headlines despite the best efforts of international bodies producing standards, guidelines and recommendation on flexible endoscope reprocessing. This research is important as no research had been conducted into staff education and AER testing in the Republic of Ireland.

A True Lateral of the Lower Cervical Region For Use in Trauma Radiography: An Image Quality and Patient Dose Assessment

Thu, 01 Jan 2004 00:00:00 GMT

Title: A True Lateral of the Lower Cervical Region For Use in Trauma Radiography: An Image Quality and Patient Dose Assessment Authors: O' Loughlin, Anne

Factors associated with forensic clinical examiners offering HIV nPEP treatment to patients following rape or sexual assault

Wed, 01 Jul 2015 00:00:00 GMT

Title: Factors associated with forensic clinical examiners offering HIV nPEP treatment to patients following rape or sexual assault Authors: Marshall, Deborah Description: Background: Risk of HIV acquisition is higher for patients following rape or sexual assault with multiple factors identified. Patient assessment should be prompt and individualised, requiring knowledge of the factors associated with HIV transmission. Effective implementation of HIV nPEP (non occupational post exposure prophylaxis) treatment by forensic examiners is often protocol driven and may be dependent on the interpretation of risk assessment tools. However this treatment may be offered inconsistently to patients. Aim: To determine factors associated with forensic clinical examiners offering HIV nPEP Treatment to patients following a rape or sexual assault. Method:This study determined factors associated with the offer of HIV nPEP treatment to patients following a rape or sexual assault by forensic clinical examiners. A quantative, descriptive, correlation design was carried out. Retrospective chart review of a 3 year period yielded 276 charts. Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) was used for data analysis. Results:Two hundred patients attended <72hrs post rape/sexual assault and of these, 33 (16.5%) were commenced on HIV nPEP treatment . Seventy one risk factors were identified. Bivariate analysis demonstrated an association between the offer of HIV nPEP treatment and assailant number (p<0.001), assailant /patient relationship ( p=0.002), assailant race/ethnicity (p<0.001), assailant characteristics (p= 0.001), vaginal(p=0.019) anal penetration (p<0.001) and object penetration (p<0.012) . Twenty six per cent of charts had a risk assessment documented, associated with the offer of HIV nPEP treatment (p<0.001). Of the 25 patients who attended the HIV specialist service, 24 were continued on treatment. Six patients did not attend the HIV specialist service. Adherence to 28 days treatment was 56%. Reasons for not giving HIV nPEP treatment were noted in 24 charts. Conclusions:Findings highlighted that HIV nPEP treatment was appropriately prescribed to this cohort of patients and that some patients experienced multiple risk viii factors for HIV. Documented risk assessment is necessary for all patients, demonstrating decision making with each patient based on up to date risk assessment tools and protocols. Adding condom use to risk assessment tools is recommended. Treatment adherence was favourable when compared to other studies. Further research on the outcomes of patients not returning to the prescribing Sexual Assault Treatment Unit (SATU) for follow up is recommended.