Spectrum Spring 2021

Spectrum Spring 2021
Publication date: 
20 Apr 2021

Table of contents

 4 Notes from the Chair
 4 Industry News
 8 Focus Women in Engineering
12 Planning Theatre infrastructure: now you are future-proofing
14 Medical Technology Respiratory support technology on the market
16 Medical Technology Cone beam computed tomography
21 Medical Technology 4K ultra-high-definition laparoscopic surgery
24 Covid-19 Protein-folding: the fight against Covid-19
27 Renal Services Renal services expansion at Tallaght University Hospital
30 Report BEAI Annual Scientific Conference
33 Education Final year project – “Smart Light” system for surgeons
 

Foreword

Welcome to the Spectrum Journal Spring Edition, our first publication of 2021!
First of all, I would like to congratulate Frank Kelly, our dedicated Spectrum Journal Lead, on his retirement from St Vincent's University Hospital, and continued work on collating all the information, news and articles for each Spectrum Journal edition.
As we have all had to refocus and pivot how we perform our day-to-day jobs and meetings, whether it is online, in a digital capacity or attending webinars and virtual conferences, the last 12 months have been nothing but challenging for everyone on a global scale. Our roles as biomedical and clinical engineers in hospitals and across secondary care has highlighted how important we are to the healthcare sector during this pandemic. The different skills we bring to the table have helped maintain and keep healthcare systems going during the toughest of times. I hope each and every one of you is keeping safe and ensuring you are taking the necessary precautions needed in your working environment.
 
Annual Scientific Conference 2020
Although this was the first year that we brought our Annual Scientific Conference online, it was a great success. The two-hour event took place on November 27, 2020, and we had an array of national and international experts presenting on a variety of topics ranging from microbiology to SARS-CoV2 technology – all well worth viewing.
The winners of the three categories of poster presentations were as follows: 
Student Category: 1st Place – Trial of an Electronic Asset Tracking System
Jason Connolly and colleagues from Tallaght University Hospital 
Sponsor: Engineers Ireland
Scientific Category: 1st Place – Flash Therapy
Laszio-Edward Maksay from St Luke’s Hospital
Sponsor: The BEAI 
Engineering Management Category: 1st Place – Central Equipment Library
Paul Rosney and colleagues from the Midlands Regional Hospital at Tullamore
Sponsor: Draeger Medical
The prestigious Spectrum Journal Article of the Year went to St Vincent’s University Hospital’s clinical engineering team for their ‘A Covid response’ submission.
All in all, the Annual Scientific Conference delivered in quality content and high-calibre speakers and we received excellent feedback. We look forward to seeing where 2021 takes us and whether our conference will be a virtual event again or not.
 
Spectrum Journal content
Once again, we have a jam-packed Spectrum Journal with a dedicated Medical Technology section and a Women in Engineering focus article on our cover.
Maighread Gallagher describes in detail how she got into the clinical engineering field and the opportunities that were made available to her – a brilliant read and one that would encourage others to see if this profession is for you!
This edition also has features on future-proofing theatre infrastructure; Smart-Light systems for surgeons; respiratory technologies in the marketplace; the benefits of 4K ultra-high-definition in laparoscopic surgery; and cone-beam computed tomography. We get a glimpse into the new Vartry Renal Unit at Tallaght University Hospital and what it has to offer; and we include an article on protein-folding in the fight against Covid-19.
As always, we are accepting article submissions for our Summer edition so please contact our Spectrum Journal Subcommittee at spectrum@beai.ie and Frank and the team will liaise with you on your submission.  
It is also important during these times to keep up your Continued Professional Development (CPD) – utilising all resources available. The BEAI are putting together some lunchtime seminars on topics, such as Telehealth, which may be of interest in this regard.
Members of the BEAI have also submitted abstracts for the IFMBE’s Clinical Engineering Division’s 4th International Clinical Engineering and Healthcare Technology Management Congress (ICEHTMC), due to take place on the September 28-29, 2021 - so keep these dates in your diary!
 
I hope you are all keeping healthy and #holdfirm as this too shall pass.
Enjoy this edition and stay safe!
 
 
 
 
______________
Brian Kearney
Chairperson, BEAI
 

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