Digital Commons Network^™

The Impact Of Reported Antibiotic Allergy In Paediatric Care And Antimicrobial Stewardship, Annabelle Arnold

Theses: Doctorates and Masters

Antimicrobial resistance is rising while new drug development declines, making antimicrobial stewardship crucial for optimizing use, preventing resistance, and improving patient outcomes. Antibiotics are vital for bacterial infections, but overuse and inappropriate prescribing have contributed to resistance. Although 5-35% of the global population reports β-lactam allergies, over 90% of reports are inaccurate. Adults have the highest prevalence; however, these labels are often acquired in childhood, with a notable increase among children recently. Unverified allergy labels hinder antimicrobial stewardship, leading to longer hospital stays, alternative prescribing, and a higher risk of adverse events.

This thesis sought to evaluate current evidence regarding …

The Development, Implementation And Evaluation Of A Novel Intervention For Delirium Prevention And Management In An Adult Intensive Care Unit: A Mixed Methods Study, Gideon Ugochukwu Johnson

Theses: Doctorates and Masters

Background: Delirium is a prevalent acute brain dysfunction in patients within intensive care units. Delirium is marked by a fluctuating mental state, inattention, and altered consciousness. This condition affects a substantial proportion of patients in intensive care units, and which leads to increased mortality, severe physiological and psychological consequences, and a significant economic burden on healthcare systems. Despite the evidence that supports the use of non-pharmacological interventions to prevent or minimise the impact of delirium such as orientation, sensory stimulation, early mobilisation, and family involvement, their implementation in intensive care units remains inconsistent. The involvement of family members in the …

Developing A Framework For Musical Ekphrasis In Jazz Composition, Jessica Carlton

Theses: Doctorates and Masters

Musical ekphrasis, as defined by musicologist Siglind Bruhn (2001), refers to musical compositions that transform, re-create, or ‘re-present’ a work of visual art or poetry. Though there exists a significant body of musical works that are based on visual art and poetry, there is a distinct lack of research and documentation on musical ekphrasis, particularly in the field of jazz and improvised music. Further, a formalised process framework for practitioners approaching ekphrastic composition has yet to be developed. This research project investigated musical ekphrasis through qualitative interviews with key practitioners, and a combination of practice-led research and research-led practice methodologies, …