Approximately 40,000 people are living with Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) in Ireland, over 4,000 of which attend the Mercy University Hospital for treatment of their condition. The Mercy University Hospital is now leading the way with a new nurse-led point of care ultrasound in IBD (IBDUS), funded by the Mercy University Hospital Foundation at a cost of €93,032.
The new ultrasound, lead out by Dr Donal Sheehan, Consultant Gastroenterologist at Mercy University Hospital, is a safe, non-invasive assessment tool that will be used amongst patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease, such as Crohn’s disease and Colitis, to assess and monitor the bowel wall thickness, detect complications, and assess response to treatment.
The ultrasound can be performed in the clinic or during infusions; and enables medical teams at ‘The Mercy’ to make a decision on a patient’s care plan immediately, enabling earlier intervention, or an escalation or switch of medication as required. In certain situations, it will also replace the need for CT, MRI and colonoscopy tests; thus, increasing capacity in these areas.
The new technology is both time efficient and convenient from a patient’s perspective, taking approximately 15 minutes, and it can be performed at the patient’s bedside, or at an outpatient clinic appointment.
Caitríona O’Sullivan, Advanced Nurse Practitioner in IBD, Mercy University Hospital, noted the benefits of the new ultrasound.
“This newly introduced technology increases patient empowerment and allows us to ensure a personalised treatment plan for each patient, by ensuring feedback is given to patients at the time of the ultrasound. As it is a non-invasive test, patients are not required to undergo any preparation prior to this test, thus also enhancing patients’ safety and comfort.”
While Dr Donal Sheehan, Consultant Gastroenterologist at Mercy University Hospital, described it as “a real game changer.”
 in Ireland, over 4,000 of which attend the Mercy University Hospital for treatment of their condition. The Mercy University Hospital is now leading the way with a new nurse-led point of care ultrasound in IBD (IBDUS), funded by the Mercy University Hospital Foundation at a cost of €93,032.){kind=link}