by Edel O'Sullivan, | Apr 19, 2023 | News Release, Press
Work has continued between the team at MOIC and a QUB spin out company (Continga Limited) to trial a novel system for improving medicines adherence in those with respiratory diseases (e.g. asthma, TB). Using the system, clinicians can observe their patients as they use inhaled medication with a view to improving how such devices are used. A quality improvement pilot for use of this technology with adult asthma patients in the Western Health and Social Care Trust has been completed and a final MOIC evaluation report compiled. A manuscript is currently being prepared for submission to an academic journal.
The project found that the v-DOT technology was a feasible method of assessing inhaler technique and monitoring adherence in a small group of adult asthma patients managed in an outpatient setting.
A range of positive impacts for patients and clinicians were reported. A number of unexpected technical challenges were experienced and resolved and it was concluded that resource and clear communication channels are required to support this innovative approach to asthma management.
by Edel O'Sullivan, | Mar 29, 2023 | News Release, Press
Our iSIMPATHY team took to the road last week to showcase the success of the project in Dublin at the All-Ireland Conference on Integrated Care,
Joanne Brown and Oonagh McKenna displayed a poster focusing on patient centred polypharmacy review work with critical care step-down patients.
The conference was a networking opportunity with professionalS in all areas of health and it reinforced the importance of understanding our patients’ needs and involving them in their care.
The iSIMPATHY project, funded by the European Union’s INTERREG VA Programme, worked with professionals in Scotland, the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland to comprehensively review patient medication. Taking multiple medicines can be problematic if the increased risk of harm from interactions between drugs, or between drugs and diseases, outweighs the intended benefits. The iSIMPATHY project has improved care for patients prescribed with multiple medicines.
by Edel O'Sullivan, | Mar 23, 2023 | News Release, Press, Uncategorized
MOIC Project Managers Rachel Huey and Catherine Goudy attended the European Association of Hospital Pharmacists Congress in Lisbon this week and contributed to the poster display.
The poster contribution looked at the technical assessment of PPE during COVID-19. MOIC alongside the Business Services Organisation Procurement and Logistics Services (BSOPaLS) and regional Infection Prevention and Control colleagues utilised pharmacist skills to develop a technical process that was used right across Northern Ireland in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and escalating demand for PPE.
You can view the poster here: MOIC poster EAHP Congress
by Edel O'Sullivan, | Mar 14, 2023 | News Release, Press
MOIC is one of the partners involved in a joint pharmacy project that has improved care for patients prescribed with multiple medicines.
The iSIMPATHY project, funded by the European Union’s INTERREG VA Programme, worked with professionals in Scotland, the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland to comprehensively review patient medication. Taking multiple medicines can be problematic if the increased risk of harm from interactions between drugs, or between drugs and diseases, outweighs the intended benefits.
Interim findings showed these interventions potentially prevented major organ failure, adverse drug reactions, avoided hospital admissions and saw patients moved to more appropriate medication. Project funding, managed by the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB), was match funded by the Northern Ireland Executive, the Irish Government and the Scottish Government. Scotland’s Public Health Minister Maree Todd said:
“This project looked at some of our most vulnerable patients taking more than five medications. The reviews have avoided adverse combinations of drugs and hospitalisations while also reducing prescriptions and drugs costs. We will know more when the full evaluation is published in June, we will work with partners to see how these improvements can be applied more widely, potentially saving lives and money.”
Ireland’s Minister for Health, Stephen Donnelly said:
“Medicines are the most common healthcare intervention used within the health system, and the use of the right medicine for the right patient at the right time is central to this. In the delivery of this project, pharmacists were strategically and ideally placed as medicines experts within a multidisciplinary team framework working to maximise therapeutic outcomes for optimal patient benefit. I’d like to thank all the partners involved in the iSIMPATHY project for their work to achieve this.”
Northern Ireland Department of Health Chief Pharmaceutical Officer, Mrs Cathy Harrison said:
“I’m pleased to see the impact on patients and service users who have taken part in iSIMPATHY who are at the heart of the project’s aim to ensure the best and most sustainable use of medicines. iSIMPATHY has achieved this through training pharmacists and other healthcare professionals to deliver medicine reviews and embed a shared approach to managing multiple medicines. Northern Ireland has been delighted to collaborate with our partner regions to build on the success of previous projects dedicated to improving medicine safety.”
The project partners are:
• Scottish Government
• NHS Scotland
• Northern Health & Social Care Trust
• Medicines Optimisation Centre (MOIC) in Northern Ireland
• Health Service Executive in the Republic of Ireland.
For more information on iSIMPATHY please visit www.isimpathy.eu
Northern Trust pharmacist Siobhan Henry talks below about the benefits of working with the iSIMPATHY team when reviewing patient medication.
by Edel O'Sullivan, | Mar 2, 2023 | News Release, Press
The first newsletter of 2023 is now available.
To view click here: MOIC Newsletter 23
If you would like to receive the newsletter to your email contact: edel.osullivan@northerntrust.hscni.net.
by Edel O'Sullivan, | Jan 26, 2023 | News Release, Press, Uncategorized
Permanent Secretary Peter May recently visited MOIC and met with Director Professor Mike Scott and Deputy Director Dr. Glenda Fleming.
Also in attendance was Northern Trust Chief Executive Jennifer Welsh and Chief Pharmaceutical Officer Cathy Harrison.
We discussed how MOIC are improving patient outcomes in Northern Ireland through better medicine use and are building collaborations throughout Europe.
