Spectrum Autumn 2020

Welcome to the autumn edition of Spectrum Journal from all at the BEAI. It is hard to believe that 2020 is coming to a close – a year defined by the emergence of a global pandemic that continues to rage across the world. Our last edition focused solely on the work undertaken across hospitals in Ireland to tackle the outbreak of the virus, and Covid-19 continues to occupy space in the pages of this autumn edition. Our healthcare community is working hard to find solutions to treat patients suffering from this disease with the best of care, and collaboration across the industry is key to ensuring we limit the impact to both our patients and staff alike. Inside this issue you will find a range of informative and educational reports from colleagues within the Clinical Engineering sphere.

On the technology side, Dara Keeley at the National Maternity Hospital takes a look at how the advancement of artificial intelligence (AI) technology has influenced the delivery of healthcare with the implementation of algorithms. Meanwhile, Hannah Murphy at Accuscience outlines the rise of wireless patient monitoring and other innovative technologies in the fight against Covid-19; and Gladys Sadang, St. Vincent's University Hospital, reports on how renal nurses and clinical engineers provided a vital service to patients requiring haemodialysis through the Covid-19 pandemic. John Adlington at Midland Regional Hospital Tullamore reports on the implementation of a Central Equipment Library to the hospital and its dual role in response to Covid-19. And Fathima Rinza, at St Vincent's University Hospital, examines the scope of different techniques for analysing the structure of the spine and highlights the field of dynamic and functional analysis.

Elsewhere, Karl Bergin at the Coombe Women and Workshop Infants University Hospital reports from a visit earlier this year to Zambia on behalf of the Equals Initiative; Mark Power at B. Braun Medical Ireland Ltd. demonstrates how Pop-Up Clinics are innovating healthcare delivery in local, community-based settings; and Justin Carty, HealthTech Ireland, discusses the importance of Ireland’s leading HealthTech companies coming together to form an industry Leadership Forum, with Clinical Engineers being an integral part of the system.

Finally, Marcus Tormey at Bon Secours Hospital offers an overview of his role; and, for our focus on women in the field, we have an interview with Peggy McHale, Mayo University Hospital, Castlebar. As always, many thanks to Frank Kelly and his team for compiling the content for this issue of Spectrum Journal – please contact Frank if you have any ideas for content for future editions at spectrum@beai.ie Ireland celebrated this year’s Global Clinical Engineering Day with a range of video presentations from engineers across the country. It was a great opportunity to showcase all that we as a profession are contributing to the healthcare system at this time. Thank you to Peter Grainger for coordinating this piece of work. Unfortunately, with our Annual Scientific Conference being postponed this year, we missed the usual learning and networking opportunity that this event has always offered, but we have an online event on Friday 27th November 2020 from 12pm to 2pm for presentations and discussion on various topics. At the event, the results of the recently held online Scientific Poster Competition will be announced, and will then be published in the next issue of Spectrum Journal. Thank you to Eoghan Hayden and the entire team for helping make this happen. Wishing you all the best and stay safe,