Two wins for hospitals in the West: NOCA QI Champion Award & Poster Competition
The growing commitment to quality improvement in our healthcare system was clearly on show with submissions to the NOCA Quality Improvement Champion Award 2025, which attracted an impressive array of submissions showcasing innovation and collaboration. Four shortlisted projects were invited to present at the NOCA Annual Conference 2025, held in association with RCSI Charter Week on the 4th February 2025.
In addition to the NOCA Quality Improvement Champion Award, we were equally encouraged by the diversity of abstract submissions, reflecting the broad spectrum of knowledge and experiences within our healthcare community. There were nearly 50 abstract submissions received for the NOCA Poster Competition, with 41 on display at the event.
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NOCA Quality Improvement Champion Award 2025
Out of 14 submissions received, four were invited by the Evaluation Committee to present their projects at the NOCA Annual Conference 2025.
The four projects were:
Improving Prescribing Accuracy of PRN Medications for Haematology/Oncology Patients to Improve Safety and Efficacy - Presented by Dr Nessa Keane
Skip the Dip for Urinary Tract Infection in Over 65s - Presented by Patricia Sheehan and Margaret Donnelly
Introduction of Paediatric Nurse-Led Infliximab Infusions for Patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease - Presented by Dr Michael Lane
IRESTORE Residential Older Persons Early Warning System Proof of Concept Project - Presented by Mary Bedding
Once all projects had been presented, the audience were invited to vote for their favourite project using an online, interactive poll.
The winner of the NOCA Quality Improvement Champion Award 2025 was ‘Improving Prescribing Accuracy of PRN Medications for Haematology/Oncology Patients to Improve Safety and Efficacy’, from the Department of Palliative Medicine at Galway University Hospital, presented by Dr Nessa Keane, Registrar in Palliative Medicine. The project focused on reducing prescribing errors related to “as needed” (PRN) medications for haematology and oncology patients, achieving a 73% reduction in errors through tailored education, revised guidelines, and increased awareness. Dr Keane commented:
I am delighted to accept the NOCA Quality Improvement Champion Award on behalf of the Department of Palliative Medicine at Galway University Hospital. Together, we have made significant progress toward reducing errors in the prescription of medications used on a pro re nata (as needed) basis so as to avoid adverse side effects while maximising efficacy. Our team will now focus on maintaining and building on this progress."
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NOCA Poster Competition 2025
Of the 41 posters presented at the event, three were shortlisted. The winner of the NOCA Poster Competition 2025 was ‘Paediatric Medication Plans for Life-Limiting Conditions’ – presented to Aoife McInerney, Senior Pharmacist on behalf of the team in Portiuncula University Hospital. The project involved the development and implementation of individualised, comprehensive medication plans that have significantly improved patient care, particularly for those with life-limiting conditions.
The two highly commended posters were:
The Wests Awake: The rise of the Clinical Audit Service in Galway University Hospitals - lead authors Sinead Moynihan and Prof. Anthony O’Regan from Galway University Hospitals.
Improving the Care of Service Users with Indwelling Urinary Catheters Using audit data to inform a national quality improvement in Community Health and Social Care settings from HSE Community IPC Nursing Teams.
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Ann Cosgrove, Integrated Healthcare Area Manager for Galway and Roscommon commented on the wins for the region:
The National Office of Clinical Audit has been a major force behind reform in our healthcare system and is essential to improving the quality and transformation of clinical services. These awards honour quality improvement projects that aim to improve patient safety and care, and I want to congratulate our awardees on their accomplishments.”
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