Resources developed to support the National COVID-19 response

As part of the national response to COVID-19, the National Quality Improvement Team contributed to the development of several resources to support health and social care services. Please click on the links below to learn more:

Contact Tracing and the Contact Management Programme

•  The Lived Experience of Working and Living During Covid-19: An epidemiology of kindness was created to capture some personal reflections of what it was like working, and sometimes flourishing during the early months of the pandemic. There is potential for greater insight and learning about the cultures we work in and what enables us to grow and develop even during times of great stress (please click to see the full report Lived Experience Project) 
•  COVID - 19 Webinar: Insights from Dr Mike Ryan, WHO, 8th December, 2020 (please click to see summary and recording)
•  A number of Information Leaflets and Videos on contact tracing guidance were developed, and are now stored on the HPSC website       
•  On Thursday 21st May, Dr Jennifer Martin and Dr Philip Crowley presented at an International Society for Quality in Health Care (ISQua) webinar, which was focused on active case finding, testing and contact tracing of all cases. The presentation was followed by an engaging Q&A session and is available to view here.
•  The National QI Team supported and participated in the development of a number of COVID-19 interim guidelines which are available on the HSE Library Service’s COVID-19 Clinical Guidance and Evidence website

Assisted Decision Making and Open Disclosure

•  COVID19 Open Disclosure Guidelines (Guideline for staff and services on managing open disclosure and the communication challenges arising during the Coronavirus Pandemic)
•  Guidance Regarding Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation and DNAR Decision-Making during COVID-19

Evidence for Improvement

Understanding variation in key COVID-19 indicators in Ireland using statistical process control (Shewhart) charts The National QI Team have collaborated with a team of international experts who developed a statistical process control approach for analysing COVID-19 data. We have applied this approach to data for Ireland for a number of key COVID-19 measures.  This is our report on the application of this methodology

Medication Safety

•  National Medication Safety Programme (Safermeds) – information on “Know Check Ask” and VTE (blood clot) prevention
•  FAQ for Community Pharmacies
•  COVID-19 Interim Clinical Guidance - VTE protocol and patient information for acute hospitals (CD-120 / 21.04.20) (Link to Emergency Department/Wards)
•  HSE COVID-19: Interim Clinical Guidance – Anti-Inflammatory Medicines for Treatment of COVID-19 symptoms​ (CD19-094) 
•  HSE COVID-19: Interim Clinical Guidance – Antihypertensive (High Blood Pressure) Medicines (CD19-093)

Decontamination Support

HSE Decontamination Advisory Notice (19 March 2020) 

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