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Bursary
In 2008 The Beaumont Hospital Foundation Bursary of €75,000 to carry out research or complete a project.
Fall Prevention Programme
An Article by Sean O'Brien / Berni Lynch — Fall Prevention Programme in Beaumont Hospital
"Falls
are the most reported adverse clinical event in hospitals. They mainly
occur to older adults who are admitted to hospital with complex healthcare
needs. Beaumont Hospital's catchment area has the second-largest number
of over 65's in the country. The outcomes from falls can vary significantly,
from fear of further falling to significant injuries such as hip fracture.
Falls can result in longer stays in hospital and can be a major cause
of admission to nursing homes.
The prevention of falls is not clear-cut. Understanding why any individual has fallen can be a great challenge, and preventing the person from falling even more difficult. To attempt to reduce the number of falls here in Beaumont Hospital, a fall prevention programme was introduced hospital-wide earlier this year. This programme involves assessing patient for their risk of falling and commencing a series of straightforward interventions to reduce the falls risk. These interventions include: reviewing medication, checking patient's footwear, ensuring bed is in the lowest position with the brakes on, and engaging the patient and family in the fall prevention process.
The funding by Beaumont Hospital Foundation of the Falls Prevention Nurse Specialist will provide a lead clinical role in preventing falls in older inpatients. Joan Naughton has taken up this post since the beginning of December. She will lead a multidisciplinary team including Geriatric Medicine, Physiotherapy and Occupational therapy in reducing the number of significant fall-related injuries sustained. The post will also provide support and education to nursing staff at ward level to increase awareness of risk factors for future falls."
The 2007 Beaumont Hospital Foundation Bursary of €75,000
The bursary was awarded to a joint application made by the Departments of Psychiatry and of Gastroenterology. The grant facilitates a research project designed to improve the methods of detection and management of patients with alcohol-related health problems attending Beaumont Hospital.
"In Psychiatry and in Gastroenterology, we are dealing with the adverse effects of alcohol on a daily basis. Alcohol problems are the single most common reason for referral of patients to liaison psychiatry. In 2004, 33% of all referrals to psychiatry were for alcohol-related problems. In 2007, that has increased further, with the highest referral rates from Gastroenterology." Dr Siobhan Mac Hale, Dept of Psychiatry,Beaumont Hospital.