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.

Return to Sport After Operative Fixation of Midshaft Clavicle Fractures in Professional Jockeys

Abstract: Clavicle fractures are the most commonly observed fracture sustained in professional horse racing. This study is the first to report on time lost from injury and functional recovery after surgical fixation of midshaft clavicle fractures in professional jockeys.Retrospective cohort study.Professional Horse Racing Ireland; Patients (or Participants): Professional Jockeys in Ireland with midshaft clavicular fractures managed with Open Reduction Internal Fixation. Interventions (or Assessment of Risk Factors or Independent Variables): Operative fixation with Open Reduction Internal Fixation.Assessment of postoperative Quick Disabilities of Arm Shoulder and Hand (QuickDASH) score and Patient Reported Outcome Measures assessing for associated complications and time to return to competition among professional athletes.Between 07/06/2013 and 29/09/2022, 22 patients met the predetermined inclusion criteria. Ninety-five percent of patients returned to competition at their preinjury level, one patient failed to return to competition for reasons unrelated to his injury. The mean time for return to competition was 68.14 days postinjury. Few complications were reported, whereas functional recovery was excellent across the cohort, with an average QuickDASH score of 0.85 (0.0-2.3).Plate fixation of midshaft clavicle fractures is effective and safe in the setting of professional horse racing. Ninety-five percent of patients can be expected to return within 14 weeks of injury. Patients returning at less than 7 weeks after injury had no adverse outcomes, suggesting a potential role for more aggressive rehabilitation postoperatively and ultimately, a quicker return to competition.

Is Heart Rate a Norepiphenomenon in Heart Failure

Abstract: There has been an increased focus on heart rate as a target in the management of cardiovascular disease and more specifically in heart failure with preserved ejection fraction in recent years with several studies showing the benefit of a lower resting heart rate on outcomes. This review paper examines the pathophysiology behind the benefits of lowering heart rate in heart failure and also the evidence for and against the pharmacological agents available to achieve this.

Prescription chart writing practices in an acute psychiatric unit.

Abstract: Objectives: The survey was designed to evaluate the current prescribing practice of the doctors in our local psychiatric unit against the standards outlined by the National Health Office in the Code of Practice for Healthcare Records Management, and to assess the changes in practice by completing an audit cycle.Method: The survey was carried out in a 27 bed acute psychiatric unit. A single assessor reviewed 51 inpatient drug prescription charts using a standardised data collection form derived from the Code of Practice document. Results were presented to the relevant clinical staff and a repeat survey was conducted a few months afterwards. All data were categorical and the frequencies were computed using SPSS 13.0.Results: A total of 51 medication prescription charts were analysed on each occasion during the period of the study. The information contained on the drug charts were assessed against explicit predefined criteria as per the approved standard. At the initial survey, allergy documentation was absent in 59% of charts, only 18% of charts had generic only prescriptions, 90% of ‘as required’ medication lacked review dates, and only 33% of charts were considered to be reasonably neat. The repeat survey showed improvements in these practices, generic only prescribing increased to 39%, and 55% of charts were considered to be reasonably neat by the assessor.Conclusion: Our study has identified deficiencies in prescribing practices and we have shown improvement in some of these practices at the repeat survey, however, further improvement is required. Given that the non-consultant hospital doctors are mostly involved in prescribing on drug charts, approved standards should be incorporated into the induction programme at the commencement of training in this unit. This standard should be monitored and maintained through the means of regular audits.

Prehospital sepsis care in Ireland: an audit

Abstract: Background: Sepsis is a life-threatening illness that requires early recognition and treatment. In Ireland, mortality, while improving, remains at 17% for adults and in a range of 2–4% in children ...

Predictors of stone related events in asymptomatic untreated intra-renal calculi.

Abstract: Purpose There is a lack of data on the natural history of asymptomatic intra-renal calculi. In this study we investigate stone related events (SREs) in patients with untreated intra-renal calculi. We also investigate predictive factors for SREs. Materials and Methods All patients diagnosed with an asymptomatic intra-renal calculus on CT KUB managed conservatively with interval imaging for ≥6 months were included. Patients were evaluated for any stone related event. The rate of event according to calculus size, location and number of calculi was also analysed. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to determine significant predictors for SREs. Results In total, 266 renal units from 177 patients met inclusion criteria. The mean stone size was 4.44mm (range of 1-25mm). Duration of follow-up was 43.78 ± 26.86 months (range 6-106 months). The overall rate of SRE's including intervention (n=80) and spontaneous stone passage following ureteric colic (n= 40) was 45.1% (n=120/266). Stones >5mm were more likely to lead to an event compared to stones ≤5mm (OR: 2.94; p=0.01). Inter-polar stones and stones located in multiple calyces were more likely to cause a SRE than lower pole stones (OR: 2.05; p=0.05 and OR:2.29; p=0.03 respectively). Conclusion In this large series of patients with asymptomatic intra-renal calculi, the incidence of a spontaneous SRE was 45.1% after 41 months. Stone size and stone location were significant predictors for stone related event. Information from this study will enable urologists to accurately risk stratify patients with asymptomatic renal stones.