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Podobno kot na ostalih izobraževalnih področjih se je tudi podiplomski študij zdravstvene nege v zadnjem času delno preselil v spletno okolje. Že pred tem pa se je pojavila ideja o razvoju skupne platforme za učenje na dokazih podprte zdravstvene nege. E-učilnica za učenje na dokazih podprte zdravstvene nege bo omogočala lažji dostop do gradiv, ki ni časovno omejen. Z uporabo interaktivnih elementov v e-učilnici pa bomo udeležence izobraževanja še dodatno motivirali. Zaradi razširjenosti in dostopnosti sistema za upravljanje z učnimi vsebinami je bil za razvoj e-učilnice izbran sistem Moodle. Izbrani sistem s svojimi raznolikimi aktivnostmi že v osnovi ponuja širok nabor interaktivnih elementov, z razširitvama BigBlueButton in H5P pa se ta nabor še razširi. Da bi omogočili izvajalcem izobraževanja s področja zdravstvene nege lažje odločanje o primernosti posameznih načinov prikaza učnih vsebin, smo razvili prototip spletne učilnice. Na osnovi informacij o potrebah po izobraževanju smo identificirali ključne teme, za katere bomo v nadaljevanju razvili interaktivno e-učilnico za učenje na dokazih podprte zdravstvene nege., Similar to other educational sectors, postgraduate nursing studies have also shifted to the online environment to some extent in recent times. The idea of developing a common platform for learning on evidence-based nursing emerged even before this change in education. E-learning on evidence-based nursing will provide easier access to the available material. The integration of interactive elements in the e-classrooms will further motivate students to actively participate in education. Due to its widespread use in education and accessibility, the Moodle learning management system was selected as the development platform. Moodle, with its wide range of activities, offers a variety of interactive elements that can be integrated into the e-Classroom, and the number of elements is even greater with the use of BigBlueButton and H5P plugins. To help healthcare education providers decide how to present content, we developed a prototype e-Classroom. Based on information on educational needs gathered during the project, we identified the main topics for which we will develop an interactive e-Classroom for evidence-based nursing.

peer-reviewed, Background: In Ireland, the setting for this study, the national prevalence rate of health careassociated infection (HCAI) in acute-care facilities is 5.2%. Hand hygiene and in particular hand rubbing using alcohol-based hand rub (ABHR) is highly efficacious in preventing HCAI transmission. Yet, compliance among healthcare professionals is sub-optimal. Less is known about the practices of nursing and medical students and no study comparing practices among these groups in Ireland was found. Hence, the aim of this study was to provide insight into the current hand hygiene and hand rubbing practices of nursing and medical students in Ireland and, by doing so, contribute to the broader understanding of this topic. Methods: This observational study employed a cross-sectional, self-reported design. An electronically administered questionnaire was sent to all nursing and medical students from one university. Data were analysed using appropriate software. Results: The response rate was 37% (323/872). Higher compliance with the World Health Organisation ‘my five moments for hand hygiene’ model was reported among nursing students (NS) than medical students (MS), with scope for improvement in both disciplines identified. Hand hygiene compliance was highest after body fluid exposure (99.5% NS, 91% MS) and lowest after touching a patient’s surroundings (61.5 % NS, 57.5% MS). Attitudes towards hand rubbing were largely positive in both disciplines. 16% of NS were not aware of the clinical contraindications to ABHR use, compared to 45% of MS. 9% of NS did not know when to use soap and water and when to use ABHR, compared to 36% of MS. In contrast, more medical students (46%) than nursing students (22%) were routinely using alcohol-based hand rub for decontamination of hands as recommended. Conclusions: Results suggest scope to review current hand hygiene curricula focusing on the knowledge gaps, the practice deficits and the barriers to ABHR usage identified., ACCEPTED, peer-reviewed

peer-reviewed, Background: Hand hygiene is the cornerstone of infection prevention and control practices, and reduces healthcare-associated infections significantly. However, international evidence suggests that medical doctors demonstrate poor compliance. Aim: To explore and compare practices and attitudes towards hand hygiene, particularly hand rubbing using alcohol-based hand rub (ABHR), among hospital-based physicians in Ireland between 2007 and 2015. Methods: In 2007, a random sample of doctors in a large teaching hospital was invited to complete a postal survey using a validated questionnaire. In 2015, the study was replicated among all doctors employed in a university hospital group, including the setting of the original study, using an online survey. Data were analysed using SPSS and Survey Monkey. Findings: Predominately positive and improving attitudes and practices were found, with 86% of doctors compliant with hand hygiene before patient contact in 2015, compared with 58% in 2007. Ninety-one percent of doctors were compliant after patient contact in 2015, compared with 76% in 2007. In 2015, only 39% of respondents reported that they ‘almost always’ used ABHR for hand hygiene. However, this represents 13.5% more than in 2007. Stated barriers to use of ABHR included dermatological issues, poor acceptance, tolerance and poor availability of ABHR products. Conclusion: Greater awareness of hand hygiene guidelines and greater governance appear to have had a positive impact on practice. However, despite this, practice remains suboptimal and there is scope for substantial improvement. Continued and sustained efforts are required in order to build on progress achieved since the World Health Organization hand hygiene guidelines were published in 2009., ACCEPTED, peer-reviewed

peer-reviewed, Aim: To present the findings of a systematic review on reported quality of life following the formation of a urinary diversion as a result of cystectomy due to urinary bladder neoplasm. Background: Bladder cancer is the most commonly occurring cancer of the urological system. Treatment often involves undergoing a radical cystectomy with an ileal conduit formation. Quality of life issues associated with this surgery are complex and varied. Design: A systematic review using thematic synthesis. Data Sources: A comprehensive search, using The Cochrane Library, CINAHL, PubMed and PsycInfo databases, focusing on the years from 2007 to 2020. Review methods: The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta Analyses was the chosen checklist used. Studies were critically appraised using the Crowe Critical Appraisal Tool. Results: The formation of an ileal conduit negatively affects respondent's quality of life particularly regarding body image, social distress, reduced sexual activity and employment. Poor research focus on the impact of ileal conduit formation on sexual well-being postoperatively was apparent. Conclusions: Further research using qualitative methodologies is needed to gain a deeper understanding of how this life-changing procedure impacts quality of life.

peer-reviewed, Aims: Healthcare systems urgently required policies to guide the response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The aim of this review was to document the healthcare policies developed during the initial wave of widespread COVID-19 transmission in Ireland. We further sought to determine the key focus and impact of these policies. Methods: We conducted a rapid review of COVID-19 healthcare policies published from 28 January to 31 May 2020. Key information including the focus of the policy, target population and impact on service delivery was extracted from included policies. During analysis, data was grouped under descriptive categories and narrative summaries were developed for each category. Results: We identified 61 healthcare policies relating to COVID-19. We developed six category headings to describe the focus and impact of these policies: infection prevention and control (n = 19), residential care settings (n = 12), maintaining non-COVID-19 healthcare services and supports (n = 12), testing and contact tracing (n = 7), guidance for healthcare workers concerning COVID-19 (n = 6), and treating COVID-19 (n = 5). Conclusions: This review has identified lessons for policy development and implementation to help prepare for future healthcare emergencies. Factors to consider include support of vulnerable groups during and in the aftermath of the pandemic, providing psychological supports for healthcare workers and investment in public healthcare services such as contact tracing for future emergencies. While pandemic conditions necessitate the speedy development of policies, effective communication and adequate resourcing is required to ensure policy implementation.

peer-reviewed, Aims: Healthcare systems urgently required policies to guide the response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The aim of this review was to document the healthcare policies developed during the initial wave of widespread COVID-19 transmission in Ireland. We further sought to determine the key focus and impact of these policies. Methods: We conducted a rapid review of COVID-19 healthcare policies published from 28 January to 31 May 2020. Key information including the focus of the policy, target population and impact on service delivery was extracted from included policies. During analysis, data was grouped under descriptive categories and narrative summaries were developed for each category. Results: We identified 61 healthcare policies relating to COVID-19. We developed six category headings to describe the focus and impact of these policies: infection prevention and control (n = 19), residential care settings (n = 12), maintaining non-COVID-19 healthcare services and supports (n = 12), testing and contact tracing (n = 7), guidance for healthcare workers concerning COVID-19 (n = 6), and treating COVID-19 (n = 5). Conclusions: This review has identified lessons for policy development and implementation to help prepare for future healthcare emergencies. Factors to consider include support of vulnerable groups during and in the aftermath of the pandemic, providing psychological supports for healthcare workers and investment in public healthcare services such as contact tracing for future emergencies. While pandemic conditions necessitate the speedy development of policies, effective communication and adequate resourcing is required to ensure policy implementation.

peer-reviewed, Traditionally, advances in robotic technology have been in the manufacturing industry due to the need for collaborative robots. However, this is not the case in the service sectors, especially in the healthcare sector. The lack of emphasis put on the healthcare sector has led to new opportunities in developing service robots that aid patients with illnesses, cognition challenges and disabilities. Furthermore, the COVID-19 pandemic has acted as a catalyst for the development of service robots in the healthcare sector in an attempt to overcome the difficulties and hardships caused by this virus. The use of service robots are advantageous as they not only prevent the spread of infection, and reduce human error but they also allow front-line staff to reduce direct contact, focusing their attention on higher priority tasks and creating separation from direct exposure to infection. This paper presents a review of various types of robotic technologies and their uses in the healthcare sector. The reviewed technologies are a collaboration between academia and the healthcare industry, demonstrating the research and testing needed in the creation of service robots before they can be deployed in real-world applications and use cases. We focus on how robots can provide benefits to patients, healthcare workers, customers, and organisations during the COVID-19 pandemic. Furthermore, we investigate the emerging focal issues of effective cleaning, logistics of patients and supplies, reduction of human errors, and remote monitoring of patients to increase system capacity, efficiency, resource equality in hospitals, and related healthcare environments.

peer-reviewed, Background: Medication safety is an integral aspect of patient safety. Nurses, as advocates of patient safety, actively consider medication safety in the course of their daily work. Hence, it is important to consider the educational preparation of nursing students in medication management, as future caregivers. There are inherent links between nurses' undergraduate educational preparation in medication management and patient safety. Objective: This research study identifies fourth-year nursing students' perceptions of their educational preparation in medication management. Design: An interpretative phenomenological methodological approach underpinned this research study. Setting: This study was conducted at a University in the West of Ireland. Participants: Participants were final year students of three undergraduate nursing programmes, Bachelor of Science in Nursing (General), Bachelor of Science in Nursing (Intellectual Disability) and Bachelor of Science in Nursing (Mental Health). Methods: Fourteen semi-structured, face-to-face interviews were conducted with students on a one-to-one basis. Data were analysed using thematic content analysis. Results: The voices and interpretations of the participants in this study were fundamental to understanding nursing students' perceptions of their preparation in medication management and provided the foundation for this research. These perceptions were captured in the format of four themes: developing an understanding, embedding knowledge in practice, engaging in practice and accepting professional responsibility. Conclusions: Findings point to the important role of the university and the clinical placement settings in nursing students' medication management education and the need for further collaboration and development across both settings. Teaching and learning strategies which promote the integration of theory and practice throughout the four years of the undergraduate degree programme should been encouraged,such as techn

peer-reviewed, Patient safety and medication safety are inherently linked. Medication management by healthcare professionals is one area where patient safety can be protected and enhanced. It is imperative that the nursing profession actively addresses medication safety, considering that nurses are the largest group of the healthcare professional workforce. There are inherent links between nurses’ undergraduate educational preparation in medication management and patient safety. Therefore, this study explored fourth year nursing students’ educational preparation in medication management from an Irish perspective. This qualitative research study utilised an interpretative phenomenological approach to explore the students’ perceptions. Fourteen semi-structured interviews were conducted with students of the undergraduate BSc Nursing (General), BSc Nursing (Intellectual Disability) and BSc Nursing (Mental Health) programmes at the University of Limerick. Data was analysed utilising Burnard’s (2011) method of thematic content analysis. The voices and interpretations of the participants in this study were fundamental to understanding nursing students’ perceptions of their preparation in medication management and provided the foundation for this research. These perceptions were captured in the format of four themes: developing an understanding, embedding knowledge in practice, engaging in practice and accepting professional responsibility. Overall, this research highlights the importance of both the higher education institution and the clinical learning environment in nursing students’ medication management education. There is a need for a collaborative developmental approach within this education that focuses on integrating medication management throughout the students learning across their four years and a need for leadership and support within the clinical learning environment in assuming a supportive role in the students’ educational process.

peer-reviewed, Hand hygiene is widely recognised as an effective measure in preventing the transmission of healthcare-associated infection (HCAI). HCAI is a public health challenge internationally and the emergence of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and multi-drug resistant organism-associated infections add to the complexity and diversity of the challenge. Now, more than ever, the strategic and operational implementation of infection prevention and control policies, including hand hygiene improvement strategies, is a priority in managing the acute patient safety risk posed by the transmission of pathogenic organisms. Despite this, evidence shows that hand hygiene compliance among healthcare workers (HCWs) internationally is low, while little is known about the hand hygiene practices of HCWs in Ireland. Heretofore, a comprehensive independent study of hand hygiene practice among HCWs in Ireland has not been published. This thesis presents an independent study of hand hygiene in Ireland and includes the following

peer-reviewed, Hand hygiene is widely recognised as an effective measure in preventing the transmission of healthcare-associated infection (HCAI). HCAI is a public health challenge internationally and the emergence of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and multi-drug resistant organism-associated infections add to the complexity and diversity of the challenge. Now, more than ever, the strategic and operational implementation of infection prevention and control policies, including hand hygiene improvement strategies, is a priority in managing the acute patient safety risk posed by the transmission of pathogenic organisms. Despite this, evidence shows that hand hygiene compliance among healthcare workers (HCWs) internationally is low, while little is known about the hand hygiene practices of HCWs in Ireland. Heretofore, a comprehensive independent study of hand hygiene practice among HCWs in Ireland has not been published. This thesis presents an independent study of hand hygiene in Ireland and includes the following

peer-reviewed, Patient safety and medication safety are inherently linked. Medication management by healthcare professionals is one area where patient safety can be protected and enhanced. It is imperative that the nursing profession actively addresses medication safety, considering that nurses are the largest group of the healthcare professional workforce. There are inherent links between nurses’ undergraduate educational preparation in medication management and patient safety. Therefore, this study explored fourth year nursing students’ educational preparation in medication management from an Irish perspective. This qualitative research study utilised an interpretative phenomenological approach to explore the students’ perceptions. Fourteen semi-structured interviews were conducted with students of the undergraduate BSc Nursing (General), BSc Nursing (Intellectual Disability) and BSc Nursing (Mental Health) programmes at the University of Limerick. Data was analysed utilising Burnard’s (2011) method of thematic content analysis. The voices and interpretations of the participants in this study were fundamental to understanding nursing students’ perceptions of their preparation in medication management and provided the foundation for this research. These perceptions were captured in the format of four themes: developing an understanding, embedding knowledge in practice, engaging in practice and accepting professional responsibility. Overall, this research highlights the importance of both the higher education institution and the clinical learning environment in nursing students’ medication management education. There is a need for a collaborative developmental approach within this education that focuses on integrating medication management throughout the students learning across their four years and a need for leadership and support within the clinical learning environment in assuming a supportive role in the students’ educational process.