ANNUAL REVIEW master Final3a - St Vincent's University Hospital

St. Vincent’s Healthcare Group Limited - Annual Review 2007
Allied Health Professionals - Physiotherapy Department
Multi-disciplinary Education
In collaboration with Nursing Practice Development, Joanne Barry Senior Physiotherapist in Critical Care,
commenced teaching a module in suctioning and humidification as part of the bi-annual the multi-disciplinary
tracheostomy-training day.
Ergonomics
10 bariatric patients were admitted to SVUH in 2007. The small library of bariatric equipment maintained by
ergonomics was extended and a bariatric policy was drafted for circulation in 2008. An evaluation of electric
beds was completed to aid selection for purchase in 2008. Theresa Flynn is currently working with the HSA
to develop FETAC standards for Manual Handling training and to develop video training clips on MH risk
assessment for the HSA web site. An Eight day in-house course was provided in May to train 7 staff
members to become Instructors in Moving and Handling. Course participants came from Nursing, Portering,
Physiotherapy and Catering. A hospital wide patient handling risk assessment form (Easymove form) was
launched in October 2007 after a gradual rollout process over the last few years.
Management
A 2 day course in business planning was developed and provided to seniors in September and October.
Topics covered included the business planning framework in an Irish context, service and client analysis,
process mapping, measuring throughput capacity, service evaluation and effective communication in the
planning process. Each team developed a service plan for their area and identified changes that might
enable a more streamlined provision of service. The aim with management training for seniors would be to
enable them to implement modifications to their service as patient’s needs change.
Outstanding/Significant Achievements
Martina Fitzpatrick, Clinical Specialist:. A literature review on Exercise in Ankylosing Spondylitis was awarded
the Irish Rheumatology Health Professional Abbott Educational Bursary to fund attendance at the 2007
American College of Rheumatology Conference in Boston, U.S.A.
Keith Smart commenced his Health Research Board funded PhD at University College Dublin, entitled, 'The
development and preliminary validation of a mechanisms-based classification of musculoskeletal pain'.
Joanne Barry graduated from the National College of Ireland with a Diploma in Supervisory Management in
November 2007.
Significant publications
Smart K, Doody C. The clinical reasoning of pain by experienced musculoskeletal physiotherapists. Manual
Therapy 2007; 12:40-49.
Brulhart L, Fitzpatrick Martina, Bresnihan B, FitzGerald O, Kane D, Veale DJ. Musculoskeletal ultrasound in
the rheumatology outpatient clinic: Experience from a single centre in Ireland. Poster presentation at
American College of Rheumatology Conference 2007.
An Investigation Into The Factor Which Motivates Patients To Attend For Outpatient Physiotherapy. Eimear
O'Sullivan, Riona Murtagh, Marese Cooney;Trinity College Dublin, School of Physiotherapy, Dublin, Ireland
Presented at WCPT, Canada, June 2007
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