Intravenous Care (IVC) team, Vein Visualisation
The IVC team at UHL is introducing an effective approach to optimise patient experience when inserting a peripheral intravenous catheter using “vein viewer”.
The vein viewer innovation uses near- infrared light to provide clear, sharp imaging to support vein visualisation when inserting peripheral venous catheters.
The benefits are improved success, optimised patient experience and reduced adverse effects.
Pictured: The IVC team Costal Stefan Staff Nurse, Anne Davern Staff Nurse, Juby George Staff Nurse, Margaret Carroll CNM3, and Linda Loftus Staff Nurse.
Think Sepsis
A new HSE campaign is highlighting that Sepsis can hide behind any infection. Asking that we all watch out for the signs and don’t be afraid to ask, ‘Could it be sepsis?’ Visit hse.ie/sepsis for more information.
The ‘Introduction to Sepsis Management for Adults including Maternity’ and the ‘Recognition and Management of Sepsis in Children’ are available on HSeLand.
The training is designed for nurses, midwives, doctors, HSCPs and undergraduate students working in acute care areas.
It may also be beneficial to other healthcare workers involved in patient care including Healthcare Assistants.
Our People, Our Services
This month, we're shining a spotlight on our catering team at UHL as part of Our People, Our Services initiative. We're showcasing their hard work and dedication through Meet the Team graphics, a video, and a blog.
On our social channels, check out hashtags #TeamULHG #OurPeopleOurServices to see more.
A big thank you to the catering team and everyone who participated!
The Our People, Our Services initiative spotlights staff and services at our hospitals. From frontline to behind-the-scenes, this initiative profiles individuals who directly or indirectly contribute to patient care. It reinforces our values of care, compassion, trust, and learning, while highlighting our commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion as an employer.
National Tree Week
To celebrate and support national tree week (3-10 March) and as part of ULHG Climate Action Strategy each hospital site across the group received a native Ash Tree. This initiative was organised by the Operational Services team. Each tree was planted by hand and supported by our contractor “Core”.
Top: University Maternity Hospital Limerick, University Hospital Limerick.
Centre: Croom Orthopaedic Hospital staff with the tree; Meabh Roche, Lincy Nigh, Aoife Morley, Mary O’Grady, Margaret Watson, Graham Hanley, Patricia Fitzgerald.
Bottom: Ennis Hospital and Nenagh Hospital
Recent Consultant Appointments
Some recent consultant appointments that have been added to our on line Consultant Directory.
Our Consultant Directory now has over 200 consultants listed. You can access it here: https://www2.hse.ie/find-a-consultant/
Should you wish to update details or have any queries, please contact us at: ulhgcommunications@hse.ie
ISBAR (Deteriorating Patient)
The tool, known as the ISBAR (deteriorating Patient) sticker, is used when a patient’s condition is worsening and needs to be escalated. It helps us communicate important information about a patient’s condition.
2023 Open Disclosure Workshop
The below data reflects the Open Disclosure skills workshop sessions held in 2023.
Inpatient Discharges
Total Inpatient discharges 2022 v 2023.
There was an increase of 6.5% in the total inpatients discharged across ULHG in 2023 when compared to 2022.
2024 NCHD Conference
All NCHDs are invited to submit Research, Audit and Quality Improvement abstracts for the 2024 NCHD Conference on Thursday 16 May.
Abstract submission is now open and closing date is Thursday 11 April.
Submit your abstracts through the ULHG NCHD App. Scan the QR code to download the app
14 Prizes to be won including best abstract from each of the ten Specialties, Best Electronic Posters and the Overall Platform Presentation Winner.
For queries contact TrainingLeadULHospitals@hse.ie
Health Sciences Academy Empowering Innovation
All staff are welcome to come along and support Colleagues at the Mid West Innovation Pitching event on Fri 12 April at 10.30am CERC Auditorium, UHL.
Finalists in the inaugural Health Sciences Academy Mid West innovation call for ideas to “Give Time Back to Staff” participated in the “Design Thinking” workshop on Wed 6 March at Houston Hall.
The workshop was facilitated by Martin Ryan, Think Actionable, supported by HSE Spark Innovation Programme & Mid West Innovation Steering Committee.
Back row: Roisin Doran, Sinead Carroll, Elizabeth Werner, Dearbhla O’Reilly, Ann Marie Kiernan, Martin Ryan, Emma Tyrrell, Pauline Chapman, Geraldine Crilly. Front row: Marie Keane, Siobhan Meany, Kelly Brosnan, Ciara Shanahan & Moira Marks. Additional finalists; Marie O’Donnell, Anne Barry, Erika Shanley, Paul Fitzsimons.
Nenagh reduce wait times for cataract outpatients
The dedicated cataract clinic (DCC) for ophthalmology outpatients at Nenagh Hospital has emerged as a leading centre for cataract surgery pre-assessment, with more than 40% of patients having surgery within a month of consultation, and 90% undergoing their operations within four months
A GP-referral service, and the only one of its kind in Ireland, the DCC was established in July 2022 at the hospital’s modern Lough Derg suite alongside five other eye clinics (laser, intra-vitreal injections, post-operative review, pre-op assessment, and a day clinic for routine appointments).
Members of the DCC team: Standing: Rachel Gleeson (Healthcare Assistant), Caroline Larkin (Secretary), Dr Mohammed Mohamed (Senior Registrar), Dr Ray Abbas (Senior House Officer), Adebusola Owokole (CNM2), Rosario Cahir (Secretary), Aoife Lynch (Optometrist), Bessy Kuriakose (Staff Nurse), Amy Ryan (Staff Nurse), and, front right of group, Louise McGeehan (Staff Nurse) and Susan Hegarty (Staff Nurse).
Lymphoedema Early Detection Service
On World Lymphedema Day 6 March, the Irish Cancer Society announced its funded pilot project which aims to detect and prevent cancer-related lymphoedema at University Hospital Limerick (UHL) is improving patient outcomes and quality of life.
Initially a three-year pilot programme, the lymphoedema early detection service at UHL is the only one of its type in an acute hospital outside of Dublin.
Early evidence since the establishment of the service in Limerick shows that patients have significantly reduced their risk of developing lymphoedema through prompt assessment, patient education and ongoing monitoring. Incidence of clinical lymphoedema in patients attending the UHL service is 1.5%, compared with around 21% and 30% internationally.
Read the full story here
