Connolly Hospital Blanchardstown

About: Connolly Hospital Blanchardstown is a healthcare organization based out in Dublin, Ireland. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Ambulatory blood pressure. The organization has 302 authors who have published 213 publications receiving 3858 citations. The organization is also known as: James Connolly Memorial Hospital.

The impact of a nurse-led elective direct current cardioversion in atrial fibrillation on patient outcomes: A systematic review.

Abstract: Aims and objectives To examine and present the success rate in relation to nurse-led elective DCCV service in AF patients. Background As the incidence of AF increases healthcare settings will continue to face challenges in providing appropriate timely intervention. The provision of DCCV has primarily been medical-led. Due to the increasing requirement of hospital beds, cost restriction and medical team stress the roles of nurse specialists have been driven to include elective DCCV. Design A systematic review with a narrative synthesis was undertaken. Methods The databases searched include the following: The Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL), PubMed, Embase, Clinical Key, Web of Science, Cochrane Library and HSE library website. A total of 187 articles were identified, and seven studies were included for synthesis. The EBL checklist was used to assess validity. The PRISMA checklist was used for transparency. Results The results of this review show an acceptable complication rate, no negative patient outcomes and a high rhythm conversion success rate. A disparity was identified due to the lack of distinction between registered nurse (RGN), advanced nurse practitioner (ANP), advanced practice provider (APP) and nurse practitioner (NP) roles. These results support the belief that a highly skilled nurse in this specific background working in a supportive organisational framework can make a valuable contribution to such practices. Conclusion A structured nurse-led elective DCCV service appears safe, effective and has a high success rate in restoration to sinus rhythm in AF. However, the need for further research in order to advance knowledge and support changes in nurse-led DCCV practice is evident. Relevance to clinical practice This review demonstrates that a nurse-led elective DCCV service appears safe and successful in restoring sinus rhythm. It has promising potential effects in terms of waiting time, cost saving and achieving patient satisfaction.

Smoking, attitudes to smoking and provision of smoking cessation advice in two teaching hospitals in Ireland: do smoke-free policies matter?

Abstract: Brief cessation advice from health-care professionals in the hospital setting significantly increases the likelihood of patients quitting smoking, yet patients are not routinely provided with this advice. Smoke-free hospital policies aim to protect individuals from the adverse effects of smoking; however, it is unclear if such policies encourage systematic delivery of cessation advice by health-care professionals. The study's aim was to determine the prevalence of smoking and cessation advice received by in-patients in two teaching hospitals in Ireland which have implemented smoke-free hospital policies, and to examine patient attitudes towards smoking cessation. Change in smoking prevalence and delivery of smoking cessation advice prior to and post-policy implementation was also examined in one hospital. This study surveyed 466 in-patients across 2 hospital sites, over a 3-week and 5-week period, respectively. Data were also compared to a survey completed prior to the implementation of the smoke-free pol...

Isolated anterior mediastinal tuberculosis in an immunocompetent patient

Abstract: The differential diagnosis of a mediastinal mass is a common challenge in clinical practice, with a wide range of differential diagnosis to be considered. One of the rarer causes is tuberculosis. Atypical presentations of tuberculosis are well documented in immunocompromised patients, but should also be considered in the immunocompetent. This case outlines a previously healthy 22 year-old immunocompetent male presenting with worsening chest pain, positional dyspnea, dry cough and dysphagia. Chest x-ray showed evidence of an isolated anterior mediastinal mass, which was confirmed on computed tomography. A mediastinoscopy was diagnostic as histology revealed necrotizing granulomatous inflammation and the presence of acid-fast bacilli, indicating mediastinal tuberculosis. Typically the underlying presentation of mediastinal tuberculosis is mediastinal lymphadenitis. This case was unusual in that we detected an isolated large anterior mediastinal mass accompanied by a relatively small burden of mediastinal lymphadenitis. Cases similar to this have been documented in immunosuppressed patients however in our case no evidence of immunosuppression was found. This case report emphasizes the importance that a detailed and logical pathway of investigation is pursued when encountering a mediastinal mass.

A novel medical device coating prevents Staphylococcus aureus biofilm formation on medical device surfaces

Abstract: Prevention of device related infections due to Staphylococcus aureus biofilms on devices represents a significant challenge. Such infections have recently been shown to be dependent on the coagulation pathway via activation of pro-thrombin and fibrin production. Three direct-thrombin inhibitors, argatroban, hirudin and dabigatran, were examined to determine their effect on preventing S. aureus biofilm on plastic biochip surfaces under shear stress using an in vivo relevant model of infection. Surface functionalization of polyurethane discs via dityrosine covalent crosslinking with hirudin was performed and changes in bacterial density and microscopic appearances determined. The three direct-thrombin inhibitors prevented S. aureus biofilm formation on plasma-coated surfaces treated with these agents. Coating of polyurethane with one of these agents, hirudin, significantly inhibited biofilm formation on the modified surface. These findings reveal the exciting potential for coating biomaterial surfaces with direct thrombin inhibitors to prevent staphylococcal binding and subsequent device-related infections.