Health library onlineInformation from one of the world's most respected electronic health libraries is now available, free of charge, to anyone in Ireland who has access to the Internet.
An agreement has been reached between the Cochrane Collaboration, which produces the library, Update Software, which is responsible for the library software, the Health Research Board in Dublin and the Research and Development Office for Health and Personal Social Services in Belfast. This is the first time that access to the Cochrane Library has been made widely available to Internet users in any country in the world.
The Cochrane Library is produced through the work of the Cochrane Collaboration, an international organisation that prepares and maintains systematic reviews of the effects of health care interventions. The collaboration includes more than 6,500 people (mostly volunteers) in over 60 countries, including Ireland. The library is the world's most authoritative source of information on the effectiveness of interventions for the prevention, treatment and rehabilitation of all health conditions. Cochrane reviews provide systematic, up-to-date summaries of the possible benefits and harms of health care, which help people make practical decisions about their care and that of others.
In a further initiative it was announced that a fellowship scheme will be awarded on an all-island basis to encourage interested people to undertake systematic reviews for the Cochrane Collaboration. Four fellowships will be awarded this year by the Health Research Board and the R&D Office. An all-Ireland Cochrane Library prize will also be awarded every year for the best use of the evidence in the Cochrane Library to change health care. Direct access to the Cochrane Library is at: www.update-software.com/access/ireland .
Drug-related deaths
A Norwegian study has looked at the incidence of drug-related deaths in a medical department. Out of 732 fatalities over two years, 18.2 per cent were classified as being directly or indirectly associated with one or more drugs.
Fatal drug reactions were more likely in elderly patients, those with other diseases and those who were using multiple drug combinations. The most common drugs linked to fatality were anticlotting agents, certain drugs prescribed for lung disease and cardiovascular drugs.
Flu vaccine study
Results of a study on the safety of inactivated influenza vaccine are reassuring. The study looked at its use in both children and adults with asthma. Patients recorded daily peak expiratory flow rates, use of asthma medication, unscheduled healthcare visits, asthma-related absences from school or work and symptoms that could have been related to the vaccine. There were no differences noted in the frequency of exacerbations in those patients who had received vaccination compared to those who had received a placebo. The only symptom that was more common in the treated group was the complaint of general body ache. Based on these findings the authors recommend that all patients with asthma should be vaccinated annually.
Sponsored walk in Hungary
Sponsored walks abroad have become a major part of fundraising campaigns for charities in Ireland. The National Children's Hospital in Tallaght, Dublin is currently seeking volunteers to go on its annual sponsored walk from September 7th to 13th. This year's walk will take place in Hungary, and each walker must raise at least €3,000. More details from tel: 01-4142373 or e-mail nchfund@amnch.ie
Exercise initiative
Encouraging workers to take the stairs rather than the lift and to walk to meetings near their workplace is central to the second phase of the Irish Heart Foundation exercise initiative, Slí 2. Signs which indicate the proximity of nearby facilities including hospitals, train stations, etc will be used to remind people of the importance of taking exercise as part of their everyday activities. The original Slí na Sláinte routes in urban centres throughout Ireland were developed in 1996. More information from the Irish Heart Foundation on Tel: 01-6685001.
Facing up to suicide
Up to 50 people are affected by every suicide, according to Father Tony Byrne, lecturer and director of the regular Facing Up to Suicide courses held in St Mary's College, Rathmines, Dublin. The 10th course begins on Tuesday, April 9th at 8 p.m. with a talk by Dr Kevin Malone, consultant psychiatrist at the Mater Hospital.
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