Major Grants

In 2009 alone, approximately €300,000 was donated to 9 patient care projects. The Major Grants funded the following examples:

Cutting edge equipment that saves lives

The A&E department in Beaumont has benefitted from the recent purchase of the Glidescope video camera designed to treat patients with specific breathing and airways difficulties.

The Glidescope is a piece of equipment presented to Dr. Gilligan and the A & E Team designed to help airway management by using video cameras to provide an improved view, giving medical staff much improved access to the lung area. “This is a life saving piece of quipment that will seriously impact on the quality of critical care in our A&E department” said Dr Gilligan This one piece of equipment has directly helped our patients, allowing them remain as comfortable as possible while undergoing complicated procedures like intubation. The Laryngoscope also facilitates vital training of doctors in this area.

New kit means examinations are more child friendly

At Beaumont Hospital, all ages are treated and cared for on a daily basis. Staff would always say there are few more moving scenes than very sick children. With the help of the Foundation, the ENT department has recently purchased a specific piece of equipment designed to help treat children and make them more comfortable when faced with an internal exam.

A Paediatric nasendoscope is a flexible scope tool designed to carry out a thorough exam on a child and this means a much more pleasant experience for the younger patients.

With a busy clinic treating 100-120 children per month, every change to help out the patients is another step forward for Beaumont Hospital. With this new equipment, the children are much happier and the staff is too.

Putting pressure on cardiac arrest

The arrival of an Autopulse resuscitation system has given the medics at Beaumont A&E a huge advantage in dealing with patients needing revival as a result of cardiac arrest. Staff at the A&E can now tackle cardiac arrest more successfully than ever and in the process save even more lives. The Autopulse is a mechanical method of chest compression that offers a far better solution and outcome to patients and staff alike.

Ireland has a long history in dealing with patients with heart problems and high quality chest compressions are a vital element in basic and advanced life support.

Dr Peadar Gilligan, Emergency Consultant in Beaumont A&E points out, “We were delighted with the arrival of the Autpulse and it means we can handle cardiac arrest patients more effectively than we ever could do it manually. The Foundation has really delivered on their promise and we are extremely grateful”

Dignity and comfort during a very difficult time

The refurbishment and development of the Bereavement Room is a welcome relief for the loved ones of patients in the very busy A&E Department in Beaumont Hospital. The new area has a facility where patients can be laid to rest after a fatal injury or accident. Families and friends can now have private time with their loved ones in a peaceful and calming environment. As part of the Hospice Friendly Hospital programme, the improvement is a huge addition to the A&E Department.

Separately, the refurbishment of the Relatives’ Room (where families are being informed of distressing news or are being updated on the treatment their loved ones are receiving) provides a quiet area to speak with medical staff. With the high number of serious accidents presenting, there are often situations where relatives and friends need somewhere to take a few moments after receiving devastating news.

CNM III Fiona Hillary, is very happy with the improved facilities – “We’re delighted with the new rooms. The previous rooms were really outdated and needed a big makeover. A great service was done to all with these new facilities. We believe our patients and their families deserve some dignity during a very stressful and upsetting time”

Reduce the chances of serious complications as new X-Ray unit purchased.

The elimination of lengthy hospital stays and the avoidance of major surgery for many patients over the age of 65 were among the main reasons for the recent investment in a mobile x-ray for the endovascular unit in Beaumont Hospital. Primarily used to treat aortic aneurysms, this piece of equipment can reduce the risk of fatality six-fold.

What does this mean for the patient? It simply means use of this new system will ensure the patient stays in hospital for just three or four days whereas before that, their stay could have been as long as two weeks. It means the patient does not need a general anaesthetic and can be back on their feet in no time.

The last word must go to Dr Dara Moneley, “This piece of equipment will undoubtedly improve patient care and dramatically reduce the chances of serious complications when treating our patients”.

Device puts the patient first

The newest addition to the Tissue Viability unit in Beaumont is proving to be a huge success. Using the Hydrosurgery system, staff can now quickly treat and clean wounds with excellent results for our patients.

This new procedure means faster access to treatments. Delays are reduced overall, helping more patients to get seen and be treated.
“Traditional treatments might take up to 5 days. Thanks to this equipment, a similar procedure can be handled in just 20 minutes. We’re so grateful to the Foundation for making this happen and are delighted our patients are getting nothing but the best care”, said Julie Jordan-O’Brien, CNM II.

So now, a serious wound can possibly be treated as a day case and not require an overnight stay. With the use of this equipment, there is also no need for a general anaesthetic, removing even more possible complications. As Julie says, “It’s safer, it’s faster and the patient is the person who benefits most”.

A clear picture drives faster muscle recovery

The Physiotherapy department are glad to report the installation of a real time ultrasound machine which has been a huge help to patients who suffer injury or pain to any muscle group, which allows for more accurate treatment of the muscle functions.
It does this by letting the patient watch their own muscle movement on a screen and thereby giving them accurate feedback as to how exactly the muscle is functioning.

Yes, it does sound simple and it is. Cinny Cusack, Physio, says it has proved to be a brilliant tool for patients and staff alike in Beaumont.
“We’re absolutely delighted with it and it’s excellent at helping us and our patients treat back injuries and other smaller muscle groups that can be difficult to work on and assess.”

So, the feedback is more realistic, the patients are happier and recover faster and previously delicate and tricky muscle assessments are now more straightforward. This allows for an even greater patient care focus from our hard working Physiotherapy department. A brilliant result all-round!

Technology used to battle cancer in Beaumont.

The fight against cancer took another important step in the endoscopy unit in Beaumont Hospital recently. With the help of Beaumont Hospital Foundation, a new device called the HALO system can now successfully treat a condition known as Barrett’s oesophagus, which can be an indication of the presence of cancer cells in a patient.

Previously, patients would need to undergo major surgery in order to have their oesophagus removed which was the traditional method of fighting this form of cancer. However, the investment in the HALO system will have huge benefits for patients, staff and the hospital in general. In essence, it uses Radio Frequency technology to eliminate the build up of abnormal cells in the lining of the oesophagus, avoiding surgery where possible.

As Dr Steve Patchett mentions, “we can treat patients using this system as a day case, they come in after breakfast and are at home that evening having a meal with their families. The work of the Foundation has been fantastic and we genuinely appreciate what they have done for our patients here in Endoscopy”.

New kit improves quality of life for cancer patients

Cancer patients in Beaumont have been given a real boost with the recent purchase of a Sara Plus standing aid which allows the transfer of seriously ill patients without needing to use a hoist which can be uncomfortable and cumbersome. The physiotherapy treatment for cancer patients in Beaumont Hospital is a wide ranging one with respiratory care, pain management, exercise progression and many other aspects all elements of the overall treatment programme.

This new rehabilitation device which can aid patients’ recovery in an oncology setting is a welcome addition to the physio team. A secure stand, it means patients feel safer and happier while being assisted. As they undergo rehabilitation to aid walking, it also acts as a real support and anything that makes life that bit easier for our patients is definitely a worthwhile investment for Beaumont Hospital Foundation.