http://hdl.handle.net/10147/48913 Sat, 25 May 2013 04:56:08 GMT 2013-05-25T04:56:08Z http://hdl.handle.net/10147/263996 Title: A review of congenital anomaly surveillance in the Republic of Ireland. Authors: McKeown, Declan Dr. Description: The public health importance of congenital anomaly surveillance should not be underestimated, as they are major causes of childhood morbidity and mortality, In 2000, 131 infants aged less than 1 year died from congenital anomalies. In the three-year period 1997-1999 there were over 25,000 hospital discharges for congenital anomalies. In addition the last number of years has also seen an unprecedented demand from laypersons, medical professionals and policy makers for information on the potential impact of environmental pollutants on births in this country. It may relate to Chernobyl, Sellafield, Askeaton, an incinerator or a landfill site but the fact remains that without a comprehensive population based congenital anomaly surveillance system in place these questions cannot be answered with any degree of certainty. Congenital anomalies are clearly an important public health event in this country. Fri, 01 Mar 2002 00:00:00 GMT http://hdl.handle.net/10147/263996 2002-03-01T00:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/10147/263852 Title: Acute hospital utilisation study: final report for University College Hospital, Galway. Authors: Glacken, Marita; Evans, David S. Description: The study undertook an examination of acute hospital utilisation by patients over 65 years of age within the Western Health Board. It aimed to provide an insight into areas where acute hospitals could be utilised more effectively in order to provide the patient with the right service in the right place and at the right time. The study focused on the over 65 age group as they accounted for the longest length of stay in hospital, and as such had the greatest potential for improvement. The measurement of hospital utilisation was undertaken using the Appropriateness Evaluation Protocol (AEP) which identified the extent of and reasons for the unnecessary utilisation of hospitals. The AEP has been extensively tested and has been found to be a valid and reliable review instrument. The protocols were administered by research nurses who were recruited specifically to complete the questionnaires and to process data. The protocols were administered on medical and surgical admissions, elective surgical admissions, and days of care for patients (excluding day cases) aged 65 years and over in the four key hospitals offering acute care within the Western Health Board. The results of the study demonstrated that in UCHG: 10% of medica1-surgical admissions are inappropriately placed. Booked admissions have a higher level of inappropriate placement compared with emergency admissions (32% compared to 3 %). Booked admissions were inappropriately admitted to expedite investigations (which are normally undertaken on an outpatient basis) or to avail of intensive paramedical therapy not available at outpatient level Some booked patients are also admitted inappropriately because of the unavailability of respite or long stay beds. Others are admitted because the service they require is not yet available at UCHG as a day service. Emergency admissions that were inappropriately placed could either have been handled on an outpatient basis, needed access to community support services, or admission to a residential or a respite service. Elective surgical patients accounted for 28% of admissions. Thirty two percent of elective surgical admissions were considered to be inappropriately located as they could have been dealt with on a day case basis. Thu, 01 Apr 1999 00:00:00 GMT http://hdl.handle.net/10147/263852 1999-04-01T00:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/10147/252532 Title: Western Health Board: review of acticities: ten year period: 1st April 1971 to 31st March 1971 Authors: Western Health Board (WHB) Thu, 01 Jan 1981 00:00:00 GMT http://hdl.handle.net/10147/252532 1981-01-01T00:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/10147/251235 Title: Informal care in the Western Health Board: a story of carers, people receving care and non-carers Authors: O'Neill, Siobhan; Evans, David Description: Informal care in the community is widely believed to be the best option for people who cannot manage on their own. The need for carers to support Western Health Board services is likely to increase in the future due to changing social and demographic trends. It is therefore important that the Western Health Board facilitate and support carers, and ensure that adequate care is provided. At present there is little information regarding the use of carers, the type of activities they undertake, and their needs. It was therefore felt that a comprehensive study of the level, extent and nature of carer assistance in the Western Health Board was necessary. It was also considered important that those receiving informal care be consulted to assess their levels of satisfaction with the quality of care they receive. Members of the public who were not carers were also asked about their attitudes to informal care and their preferences Thu, 09 Dec 1999 00:00:00 GMT http://hdl.handle.net/10147/251235 1999-12-09T00:00:00Z