The role of secondary care providers in detecting melanoma has been poorly explored. Our recent study identified that patients with thick melanomas were seen in secondary care in the year prior to their melanoma diagnosis. In this era of reduced skin cancer referrals and heightened public anxiety, it is more important than ever that health professionals are equipped with the knowledge to identify atypical skin lesions to facilitate earlier detection and treatment. The aim of this study was to evaluate the level of awareness of skin cancer among health and social care professionals in secondary care and to facilitate education sessions on skin cancer awareness.

Background: Atopic dermatitis (AD) is the most common chronic inflammatory skin condition in childhood. Most (50-60%) children with AD report sleep disturbance, which is secondary to itch, dry skin, inflammation, and abnormal circadian rhythm. Sleep is essential for brain development, learning, and growth. Sleep disruption in early life is associated with cognitive and psychological dysfunction in later life. The aim of this study is to describe in detail the sleep architecture of infants with early-onset atopic dermatitis (AD), compared to controls, by using EEG polysomnography, sleep actigraphy, and parental reporting. Methods: This observational study will recruit six- to eight-month old infants with moderate to severe AD and age-matched control infants who do not have AD. At six-eight months diurnal sleep electroencephalography and polysomnography will be performed in our research center. Nocturnal sleep actigraphy will be performed at home for five consecutive nights at six-eight months and 12 months. Between six and 12 months, monthly questionnaires will capture data on quantitative sleep and parental sleep. Skin barrier and immune profiles will be captured at six-eight and 12 months. AD will be assessed using standardized severity assessment tools and treated according to protocol. A neurodevelopmental assessment will be performed at 18 months to assess cognition and behaviour. An estimated sample size of 50 participants in each group is required to power the primary outcome of disturbed macrostructure of sleep and secondary outcomes of disturbed microstructure of sleep, and disturbed parental sleep, assuming an attrition rate of 60%. Potential confounding factors which will be controlled for in the data analysis will include parental educational level, parental depression, feeding practice, and number of siblings. Discussion: This study will provide a rich analysis of sleep in infants with AD in the first year of life using detailed electroencephalography, novel actigraphy techniques, and longitudinal parent-reported data. It may provide guidance on the optimal treatment of AD to prevent or reduce sleep disruption. Trial registration: clinicaltrials.gov NCT05031754 , retrospectively registered on September 2nd, 2021.

Porokeratotic adnexal ostial nevus (PAON) is a term encompassing porokeratotic eccrine ostial and dermal duct naevus (PEODDN) and porokeratotic eccrine and hair follicle naevus (PEHFN). We present the case of a 7‐year‐old girl who presented with hyperkeratotic verrucous papules in a blaschkolinear distribution on the sole of her left foot.

Background / Problem Identified: Chest pain is one of the most common reasons for people attending the emergency department (ED). As there are many causes of chest pain, the physician has the responsibility of ruling out serious and potentially life threatening conditions such as acute myocardial infarction (MI), aortic dissection or pulmonary embolism (PE). Acute Coronary Syndrome (ACS) is one of the most common presentations in acute hospital settings. Cardiac troponin (TnI) is the preferred biomarker for the detection of myocardial injury. High sensitivity assays can detect elevated levels of TnI (above the 99th percentile of an apparently healthy reference population) within 3 hours after the onset of chest pain. It is particularly of value for the cohort of patients who have ACS, without typical features. For example diabetic patients, the very elderly or those with asymptomatic ACS. However if troponin is used incorrectly and without true clinical context then it can be elevated in a number of non cardiac conditions which can lead to a false clinical diagnosis, inappropriate workup and an increased patient stay in hospital. It was felt that an excessive amount of troponin tests were being requested especially in the ED so an audit was carried out to examine patterns of troponin requesting and to determine if troponin tests are requested appropriately from the ED in MUH and if the timings of the repeat requests were appropriate.

Background / Problem Identified: A high volume of patients with undifferentiated diagnoses attend the Emergency Department complicated by high acuity and risk of deterioration. This risk increased during the pandemic when the department was divided into single rooms for isolation reducing the level of visual observation. The challenge was keeping these patients safe behind the closed doors. We needed to enhance communication within the multidisciplinary team to create a safer environment for both staff and patients. The issue of unrecognised deterioration or failure to escalate is identified as a risk to patient safety.

Background / Problem Identified: What is a tracheostomy tube? A tracheostomy tube is an artificial airway inserted through the neck into the trachea to allow a more direct access for ventilation. What is a Passy Muir speaking valve? A Passy Muir speaking valve is a one-way valve which can be placed over the end of tracheostomy hub to redirect airflow into the upper airways when the tracheostomy cuff is deflated, allowing air to flow through vocal folds and facilitating verbal communication in patients with tracheostomy. What is mechanical ventilation? Mechanical ventilation is the technique through which gas is moved towards and from the lungs through an external device connected directly to a patient. What is involved in using a speaking valve in line with mechanical ventilation? Speaking valves can be used in line with ventilators but requires deflation of tracheostomy cuff to allow leaked expiratory air to travel through the vocal folds to facilitate speech. This has implications in measuring expired tidal volume and potential loss of lung volume. Project Background: Increased numbers of patients requiring tracheostomy in last 2 years in MUH. More complex cohort of patients requiring tracheostomy with prolonged length of weaning from mechanical ventilation and protracted ICU stay. Implications of protracted ICU admission: - significant impact to patient with increased risk of ICU delirium - psychological impacts to patient including frustration, anxiety, low mood, poor engagement with rehabilitation. - increased morbidity. - impacts negatively on patient flow and bed management. - high financial cost to MUH - impacts on staff morale. Current practice in MUH: Speaking valves are utilised in patients with tracheostomy who have weaned from mechanical ventilation but have not yet been decannulated (tracheostomy tube removal). This results in a period when patients are conscious, alert and unable to communicate verbally. Practices in larger critical care facilities have progressed to use of speaking valves in line with ventilators (SVILV). Benefits of speaking valve: Benefits of speaking valve (on ventilated/non-ventilated patients) are well recognised. These include restoration of speech, improved swallow function and reduced aspiration risk. Benefits of SVILV: Benefits include primarily earlier restoration of verbal communication. In addition, it can expedite weaning from mechanical ventilation by re-establishing physiological PEEP (Positive End Expiratory Pressure) which improves arterial oxygenation, improved secretion management by enabling a stronger, more effective cough and increased end expiratory lung impedance.

Mucinous cystic neoplasms of the liver are uncommon cystic lesions of the liver, most commonly seen in women in the fifth decade of life. We present a case of a 16-year-old girl with an incidentally discovered abdominal mass while undergoing a tonsillectomy. Investigation revealed a multiloculated, septated 17 × 17 × 11 cm cystic lesion arising from the left lobe of the liver, with displacement of the remaining upper abdominal viscera. Serum Ca19.9 was significantly elevated at 2256 U/ml (range 0–37), but other bloods including liver function tests, alphafoetoprotein and carcinoembryonic antigen were within normal limits. We proceeded to open formal left hemi-hepatectomy. Histology was consistent with a diagnosis of mucinous cystic neoplasm with low-grade intra-epithelial neoplasia.

Background / Problem Identified: In 2021 347 new patients were referred to St Therese’s Oncology Day Unit and St Bernadette’s Ward for systemic anti-cancer treatment (SACT). Most of these patients will experience side effects which can be mild, moderate, or severe. In 2020 the National Cancer Control Program (NCCP) funded a 1.0 WTE Acute Oncology Service (AOS) CNS with the primary role of being the first point of contact for patients experiencing SACT side effects. The overall aim of the AOS CNS role is: Provide Telephone Triage to assess and advise Oncology Haematology patients experiencing SACT side effects using the UKONS 24-hour triage tool (a symptom-based oncology assessment tool using NCI-CTTAE (see diagram). Provide a rapid access pathway for Oncology/Haematology patients to address acute side effects from SACT. Ensure patients receive appropriate nursing and medical interventions to avoid Emergency Department attendance and reduce Hospital admissions and length of inpatient stay. An evaluation of the Acute Oncology Service in April 2021 highlighted our patients experiencing side effects from SACT continued to contact St Therese’s Ward, their GP or attend the Emergency Department for advice and management. The advice they received was impromptu and not consistent. Patients continued attending the Emergency Department for medical assessment. The AOS CNS didn’t have a dedicated space to admit patients for review. There was no clear AOS patient pathway. Combined these factors contributed to the underutilization of the Acute Oncology Service from its introduction in August 2020 until review in April 2021.

The National Patient Experience Survey (2017) found lower levels of satisfaction with hospital discharge. Poor communication was the primary cause for this finding. A thorough review of the survey resulted in the identification of four key areas pertaining to discharge that patients had a knowledge deficit namely Diagnosis, Drugs, Aftercare and ‘Your’ Follow-up. This resulted in the development of the D-day mnemonic/concept. Communication is a two way process between the healthcare provider (HCP) and the patient. This facilitates shared decision making and an equal partnership that is truly person centered. Patient empowerment is prerequisite to this as proposed by the mantra ‘no decision about me, without me’ (Kings Fund, 2011). Enabling patients to participate as equal partners is a challenge for HCP’s as it conflicts with paternalism, the dominant decision making healthcare model (Coulter et al, 2008). The National Healthcare Charter (HSE, 2012) ‘its safer to ask’ encourages patients to ask questions about their care. Patient utilisation of the charter was not evident in the findings of the national patient experience survey. To this end we developed a ‘D-day patient information leaflet’ containing cue questions targeting the d-day knowledge deficits. Due to the time constraints of this project we focused on two of the four D-day knowledge deficits namely Aftercare and ‘Your’ follow-up.