Service development project to pilot a digital technology innovation for video direct observation of therapy in adult patients with asthma.

Background: Adherence to pharmacotherapy and use of the correct inhaler technique are important basic principles of asthma management. Video- or remote-direct observation of therapy (v-DOT) could be a feasible approach to facilitate monitoring and supervising therapy, supporting the delivery of standard care.

Objective: To explore the utility and the feasibility of v-DOT to monitor inhaler technique and adherence to treatment in adults attending the asthma outpatient service in a tertiary hospital in Northern Ireland.

Demonstrating the learning and impact of embedding participant involvement in a pandemic research study: the experience of the SARS-CoV-2 immunity & reinfection evaluation (SIREN) study UK, 2020-2023.

Background: Participant involvement in research studies is not a new concept, yet barriers to implementation remain and application varies. This is particularly true for pandemic response research studies, where timeframes are condensed, pressure is high and the value and inclusion of participant involvement can be overlooked. The SIREN Participant Involvement Panel (PIP) provides a case study for participant involvement in pandemic research, working in partnership with people who the research is for and about.

Broncho-pleural fistula due to trans-diaphragmatic migration of the distal end of ventriculo-peritoneal shunt.

We report two cases of broncho-pleural fistula resulting from trans-diaphragmatic migration of the distal catheter of a ventriculo-peritoneal shunt. Relevant literature on thoracic complications of a ventriculo-peritoneal shunt is reviewed. The clinical presentation, diagnosis and management of V-P shunt-related broncho-pleural fistulae are discussed.

Bronchiectasis in secondary care: a comprehensive profile of a neglected disease.

Background: Bronchiectasis is poorly characterised in secondary care. Methods: Over 6 months, 410 bronchiectasis patients attended our clinics. One hundred randomly selected patients were characterised in detail.

Severe community-acquired pneumococcal pneumonia (CAP) - a potentially fatal illness.

Two cases of severe community-acquired pneumococcal pneumonia (CAP) admitted to our hospital within 24 h are described, both in young males. These two cases illustrate the usefulness of the British Thoracic Society severity criteria and serve to emphasize the importance of early recognition of adverse physiology in critically ill patients. We should not lose sight of the continued impact of pneumonia in this climate of widespread fear about severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS).

Comparison of sputum induction using high-output and low-output ultrasonic nebulizers in normal subjects and patients with COPD.

Study Objective: s: Induced sputum is used to investigate pulmonary diseases. Low-output ultrasonic nebulizers have become available and have potential advantages over high-output nebulizers. We hypothesized that a low-output nebulizer would give comparable results to a high-output nebulizer, with an acceptable safety profile.