A Comparative Characterization of Smart Textile Pressure Sensors.

This research study investigates the impact of various insulating textile materials on the performance of smart textile pressure sensors made of conductive threads and piezo resistive material. We designed four sets of identical textile-based pressure sensors each of them integrating a different insulating textile substrate material. Each of these sensors underwent a series of tests that linearly increased and decreased a uniform pressure perpendicular to the surface of the sensors.

A qualitative evaluation of information leaflets for gastroscopy procedure.

Written information sent to patients prior to diagnostic gastroscopy is an important part of the process of informing and preparing them for the procedure. Yet there is ample evidence in the literature that information leaflets do not measure up to the required standard. In this study, information leaflets from a random sample of seven hospitals in Northern Ireland that carried out gastroscopy as a day procedure were evaluated using a checklist of items recommended by the British Society of Gastroenterology (BSG) for inclusion in leaflets for patients undergoing diagnostic gastroscopy.

The identification of barriers preventing the successful implementation of a surgical prophylaxis protocol.

Aim: The aim of this study was to introduce a protocol for the use of antimicrobials in surgical prophylaxis for the described procedures in Antrim Area Hospital.

Method: Historical data of antimicrobial use were obtained from retrospective analysis of patients' charts, for those patients identified as having one of the following 'clean/contaminated' surgical procedures over the previous six months; cholecystectomy or abdominal hysterectomy. These data were analysed, and a protocol was introduced providing guidelines for the choice of antimicrobial agent, its administration time, route, dose, duration and frequency of treatment.