Basic Science
Basic scientific research is leading the way in establishing new ways to modify disease processes, improve survival and improve quality of life. Intensive efforts are underway by researchers to better comprehend the genetics of many diseases in respiratory and pulmonary vascular disease.
Rapid Access Lung Treatment Unit
Rapid Access Lung Treatment Unit
Primary care is the first point of contact that people have with the health and personal social services. In Ireland, the face of Primary Care, for many people, is the local GP and from there it is the local A/E department if further intervention is required. Primary care is the appropriate setting to meet 90-95 per cent of all health and personal social service needs. The services and resources available within the primary care setting have the potential to prevent the development of conditions which might later require hospitalisation.
The development of a properly integrated lung treatment unit can lead to better outcomes, better health status and better cost-effectiveness for the hospital and the patient. This will ensure a more equitable, accessible, appropriate and responsive range of basic health interventions. It will also lessen the current reliance on specialist services and the hospital system, particularly accident and emergency and outpatient services.
In line with the 2001 Health Strategy and in keeping with international best practise a new Rapid Access Lung Treatment Unit has been established at the Centre for Lung Health at the Mater Hospital under the direction of Professor. Sean Gaine.
Our Aim
The Lung treatment unit will follow national guidelines for the treatment of a number of chronic diseases including Asthma and COPD. The purpose of Rapid access lung treatment unit (RALTU) is to free up beds/trolleys in the accident and emergency department and within the hospital setting by facilitating treatment in the community and through early discharge from hospital by providing community intervention nursing support in the community where necessary. Community intervention nurses can visit the client in their own home following discharge or following referral from GP services. A full nursing assessment is done, and the nurse decides on further visit needs or if fast tracked response is required in the Centre for Lung Health treatment suite.
Services offered
This new initiative will provide an integrated, inter-disciplinary, high-quality, team-based and user-friendly set of services to the public outside of the hospital setting when appropriate. The unit will provide a range of services including:
- full medical and nursing assessment
- CXR
- Pulmonary function testing
- blood testing
- rehydration therapy
- IV antibiotics
The above mentioned medical assessment can be performed at the Centre for Lung Health without having to be transferred to the Emergency Department for such treatment. The unit promotes a team-based approach to providing patient services for respiratory disease in the community where primary care nurses will provide a central role as the first and ongoing point of contact for people who require interventions. This will compliment the existing diagnosis and treatment focus of the A/E Department and acute hospital setting.