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Welsh Research and Education Network
CURRENT PROJECT PORTFOLIOOur current projects and how to get involved
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Current Projects:
WREN is currently undertaking the projects detailed below across Wales. If you would like further information, or would like to get involved, please either contact WREN or the project lead via their email address, available via the 'Contact' link:
RE-AUDIT OF THE MANAGEMENT OF RESPIRATORY DISTRESS SYNDROME IN WALES
Project Title: ‘Re-audit of the Management of Respiratory Distress Syndrome in Preterm Infants’
Project Lead: Chris Course, ST4 Contact
Description: Following the initial audit in 2014/2015 by WREN, a Wales Neonatal Network guideline was introduced for the Management of RDS in Preterm Infants in June 2016. The re-audit has commenced March 2018 and is running for six months to assess how the new national guideline has affected patient care.
Project Lead: Chris Course, ST4 Contact
Description: Following the initial audit in 2014/2015 by WREN, a Wales Neonatal Network guideline was introduced for the Management of RDS in Preterm Infants in June 2016. The re-audit has commenced March 2018 and is running for six months to assess how the new national guideline has affected patient care.
HEAD INJURIES ON THE POSTNATAL WARD
Project Title: ‘Head injuries on the postnatal wards’
Project Lead: Siwan Lloyd, ST3 Noah's Ark Children's Hospital for Wales Contact
Description: A pilot study at UHW has demonstrated that infants being accidentally dropped on the postnatal ward is not an uncommon occurrence, however their management and level of investigation following injury was very variable. Following on from this, an all Wales study is planned to determine the incidence, risk factors and management used, with the aim of producing a best practice guideline for these infants and their parents.
Project Lead: Siwan Lloyd, ST3 Noah's Ark Children's Hospital for Wales Contact
Description: A pilot study at UHW has demonstrated that infants being accidentally dropped on the postnatal ward is not an uncommon occurrence, however their management and level of investigation following injury was very variable. Following on from this, an all Wales study is planned to determine the incidence, risk factors and management used, with the aim of producing a best practice guideline for these infants and their parents.
Appropriate Use of Investigations for Sepsis in Infants <3 months old
Project Title: ‘Use of Diagnostic Investigations in Infants <3 months old with Suspected Sepsis’
Project Lead: Blanche Lumb, SHO Royal Gwent Hospital, Newport Contact
Description: Do we consistently meet the NICE standards set in the investigation of sepsis in <3 month old infants? This project aims to assess that the appropriate investigations occur in a timely manner and that appropriate empirical treatment is commenced across paediatric assessment units in Wales.
Project Lead: Blanche Lumb, SHO Royal Gwent Hospital, Newport Contact
Description: Do we consistently meet the NICE standards set in the investigation of sepsis in <3 month old infants? This project aims to assess that the appropriate investigations occur in a timely manner and that appropriate empirical treatment is commenced across paediatric assessment units in Wales.
The Impact of the Meningococcal B Vaccination on Septic Screens
Project Title: ‘The Impact of the Meningococcal B Vaccination on Septic Screens’
Project Leads: Dr Ele Jones (ST5) Contact and Dr Rebecca Towler (ST5) Contact
Description: Pyrexia is a common adverse effect of the Meningocccal B vaccination. NICE guidelines exist for the management of fever <3 months of age and recommends investigations for sepsis for pyrexial infants but does not make comment of post-vaccination infants. This project aims to retrospectively assess how infants are managed in paediatric and neonatal units who are presenting with fever post-Meningococcal B vaccination over a 12-month period.
Project Leads: Dr Ele Jones (ST5) Contact and Dr Rebecca Towler (ST5) Contact
Description: Pyrexia is a common adverse effect of the Meningocccal B vaccination. NICE guidelines exist for the management of fever <3 months of age and recommends investigations for sepsis for pyrexial infants but does not make comment of post-vaccination infants. This project aims to retrospectively assess how infants are managed in paediatric and neonatal units who are presenting with fever post-Meningococcal B vaccination over a 12-month period.
Aiming to improve paediatric trainees confidence with ECG interpretation
Project Title: ‘Aiming to improve paediatric trainees confidence with ECG interpretation’
Project Lead: Dr Ankita Jain (ST6) Contact
Description: The Paediatric Cardiology department at UHW gets several referrals a month from various hospitals to provide their opinion on ECGs done on children for various clinical indications. We would like to help improve confidence in paediatric ECG interpretation, and have developed a structured online educational module. Using a pre- and post-quiz on ECG interpretation it is hoped to show how skills can be improved. The link for the quiz is https://goo.gl/forms/2Qj8NBZHBdOYL33d2
Project Lead: Dr Ankita Jain (ST6) Contact
Description: The Paediatric Cardiology department at UHW gets several referrals a month from various hospitals to provide their opinion on ECGs done on children for various clinical indications. We would like to help improve confidence in paediatric ECG interpretation, and have developed a structured online educational module. Using a pre- and post-quiz on ECG interpretation it is hoped to show how skills can be improved. The link for the quiz is https://goo.gl/forms/2Qj8NBZHBdOYL33d2
Can a resus drug App help improve accuracy and reduce stress in time-critical scenarios?
Project Title: ‘Can a resus drug App help improve accuracy and reduce stress in time-critical scenarios?’
Project Lead: Dr Jordan Evans (ST5) Contact
Description: Accurate calculation of WETFLAG resus drugs is critical, but can be affected by stress and the time-critical nature of emergency scenarios. This project aims to assess whether a smartphone app can help to improve prescribing accuracy and reduce doctor stress levels in resus situations. A pilot study has shown an App to be effective, and this project aims to assess larger numbers of doctors and nurses using the technology in simulated scenarios.
Project Lead: Dr Jordan Evans (ST5) Contact
Description: Accurate calculation of WETFLAG resus drugs is critical, but can be affected by stress and the time-critical nature of emergency scenarios. This project aims to assess whether a smartphone app can help to improve prescribing accuracy and reduce doctor stress levels in resus situations. A pilot study has shown an App to be effective, and this project aims to assess larger numbers of doctors and nurses using the technology in simulated scenarios.
Upcoming Projects:
WREN is also in the process of planning projects to undertake at a future date. If you would like further information, or would like to get involved, please either contact WREN or the project lead via their email address:
Evaluating the impact of the introduction of the SEREN program on Type 1 Diabetes Management in Children
Project Title: ‘Evaluating the impact of the introduction of the SEREN program on Type 1 Diabetes Management in Children’
Project Lead: Matthew Ryan, ST6 Contact
Description: SEREN is a structured education package for children newly diagnosed with T1DM. This project will assess SEREN’s impact by using Quality of Life questionnaires, serial HbA1c measurements and number of DKA admissions for children diagnosed with T1DM in the years pre and post introduction.
Project Lead: Matthew Ryan, ST6 Contact
Description: SEREN is a structured education package for children newly diagnosed with T1DM. This project will assess SEREN’s impact by using Quality of Life questionnaires, serial HbA1c measurements and number of DKA admissions for children diagnosed with T1DM in the years pre and post introduction.
This project is planned to start data collection in September 2018
