Irish journal of medical science
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The measurement of safety culture, the way in which members of an organisation think about and prioritise safety, in a hospital can provide valuable insight and inform quality improvement strategies. ⋯ In this study, a mixed methods approach was successfully used to investigate the safety culture in a large Irish hospital. Although the SAQ results indicated a positive safety culture, the qualitative data revealed a number of issues that the hospital staff felt impacted negatively on patient safety. The results of this study will inform future work on the design of an intervention to improve patient safety in the hospital.
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The incidence of hip fractures is expected to increase over the coming years, placing a greater burden on limited resources. A high volume of patients is brought to hospitals that do not have the resources necessary to provide definitive care. Optimal care involves a coordinated and integrated system of trauma care. The hip fracture care pathway introduced between a referring peripheral hospital and our institution represents a coordinated multidisciplinary approach to patient care. ⋯ The fragmented approach to the management of trauma patients both in a pre-hospital and hospital care setting is a cause for concern. Our integrated hip fracture referral pathway, incorporating bypass of the referring hospital, represents a multidisciplinary care pathway for the management of patients with fractured neck of femur and can have potential benefits including improved patient outcomes, allowing the optimal allocation of resources and providing training opportunities.
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The rate of ACL injury in adolescents has been rising in recent years. Surgical options include transphyseal and physeal-sparing ACL reconstruction. ⋯ Midterm results at an average follow-up of 3 years after the surgery showed good functional outcomes using the transphyseal ACL reconstruction technique with good return to activity. There were no cases of leg length discrepancy or angular deformity. Transphyseal ACL reconstruction is a viable method of treatment for adolescent ACL tears.
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The introduction of treat and referral by ambulance practitioners is under active consideration in Ireland. The Irish ambulance services have traditionally transported all patients following an emergency (112/999) call to an emergency department. The introduction of treat and referral will present a significant care pathway change. ⋯ GPs are in the main supportive of the introduction of treat and referral; however, they have identified several barriers that may inhibit successful introduction. Importantly, a GP appointment within 48 h does not appear to be a barrier. The adequacy of the working relationships between GPs and the ambulance service and its practitioners appears to have reduced since 2006, which is concerning.