Publications by authors named "Michelle Crowley"
Background: A national ransomware attack on the Irish Health Service Executive left the Healthcare system bereft of access to IT systems, electronic patient records, and the national imaging system. Widespread disruption to internal and external referral pathways, and both trauma and elective Orthopaedic services occurred as a result. The purpose of this paper to discuss the challenges faced by Regional trauma units and adjustments made to overcome these.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFPresenting to the fracture clinic carries economic, social and societal consequences. The virtual fracture clinic (VFC) has proven to be a safe, patient-focused, cost-effective means of delivering trauma care, whilst reducing unnecessary clinic attendances. Within our institution, a Satellite VFC was established, so as to accommodate an offsite referring emergency department.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFArticle Synopsis
- The Virtual Fracture Clinic (VFC) successfully reduced hospital visits and costs while effectively serving a majority of patients during the COVID-19 pandemic.
- An increase of 77.2% in VFC referrals was noted, with notable changes in patient dispositions compared to 2019, such as higher discharges and lower fracture clinic referrals.
- The study concludes that expanding the VFC for all ambulatory trauma is an efficient way to maintain high care standards and reduce hospital foot traffic.