Psychotropic Medication Prescribing to Patients with Dementia Admitted to Acute Hospitals in Ireland.

Background: Psychotropic medications are commonly prescribed to people with dementia (PwD) for non-cognitive symptoms of dementia (NCSD), but have significant risks. A national audit was performed in acute hospitals in the Republic of Ireland (ROI) to establish baseline practice prior to the launch and implementation of a National Clinical Guideline on the appropriate prescribing of psychotropic medications for NCSD. The objective of this study was to analyse psychotropic prescribing patterns and compare these with international data and with existing (limited) data from a previous audit round.

Acute hospital staff's attitudes towards dementia and perceived dementia knowledge: a cross-sectional survey in Ireland.

Background: Little is known about staff's attitudes in Irish acute hospital settings towards people living with dementia and their perceived dementia knowledge. The aim of this study was to understand the general level of dementia knowledge and attitudes towards dementia in different types of hospital staff, as well as to explore the potential influence of previous dementia training and experience (having a family member with dementia) and the potential moderating effects of personal characteristics. This data was required to plan and deliver general and targeted educational interventions to raise awareness of dementia throughout the acute services.

Assessing the impact of dementia inclusive environmental adjustment in the emergency department.

Objectives: Acute hospitals, in particular the emergency department, can be disorienting for people living with dementia. As part of a larger project to improve care for people living with dementia, dementia-inclusive modifications were made to two emergency department bays in a large acute care hospital in Ireland. Modifications to spatial configuration included noise reduction, altered lighting and the addition of an orientation aid and fixed seating for relatives.

Retirement Policies and Support for Emergency Service Personnel: The Transition to Retirement.

The aim of this study was to explore policies and procedures to support employees who retire from the emergency services. Interviews were conducted with participants who were familiar with existing policies and procedures in a large ambulance (n = 8) and fire (n = 6) service in Ireland. Four key themes were identified: (1) "I don't think it's a job at 65 to be running out on an emergency ambulance"; (2) "They do genuinely feel a wee bit isolated"; (3) improving the "cultural shock"; and (4) "I just keep going and hope for the best".