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Breaking news
Type 2 diabetes drug approved by NICE
Patients suffering from type 2 diabetes will be able to benefit from an injectable drug that NICE has approved for use by the NHS.
Pancreatic cancer treatment breakthrough
Patients suffering with one of the most severe forms of cancer could be treated with a commonly used chemotherapy drug, according to new research.
HPV linked to oral cancer rise
A new report has found that the increase in certain types of oral cancer is being fuelled by the human papillomavirus, which is already the cause of millions of cases of cervical cancer.
Oesophageal cancer screening sponge trialled
Doctors have successfully trialled as a new screening technique for one of the most deadly forms of oesophageal cancer, according to scientists.
Nursing failures led to Staffordshire death
A systematic failing to provide adequate nursing facilities, combined with low staffing levels, contributed to the death of a 66-year-old diabetic at a Staffordshire hospital, an inquest jury has ruled.
'Jade Goody effect' encouraged screening
Wall-to-wall coverage of celebrities’ struggles with health problems can encourage people to attend screening programmes, research has claimed.
Minimising the use of restraint in care homes for older people: exploring restraint
In this programme, two experts watch and discuss a number of scenarios filmed in a care home setting which explore different aspects of the complex issue of restraint. They examine the blatant and more subtle ways that restraint can be used by care home staff to control and how this fails to provide person-centered care.
Minimising the use of restraint in care homes for older people: creative approaches
This video argues that care homes should re-examine their customs and practices to find new and creative ways to support residents to achieve the lives of their choice and to minimise the use of restraint.
Free stuff for nurses
Win a copy of 'How to Master Nursing Calculations'
Registered users of Nursingtimes.net can win a copy of How to Master Nursing Calculations by Chris Tyreman
Win a copy of 'Doing a Literature Review in Health and Social Care'
Registered users of Nursingtimes.net can win a copy of Doing a Literature Review in Health and Social Care by Helen Aveyard.
Behind the headlines
Egg development in older women
Clue found to why egg flaws seen in older women’, a BBC News headline announced. The website said that scientists may be closer to understanding why older women are more likely to produce abnormal eggs.
Resources
Case studies
How mindfulness based stress reduction can reduce anxiety after alcohol abstinence
Mindfulness based therapy is a useful self help technique. This case study shows how it helped one patient to recover from anxiety after giving up alcohol
Guided learning
Motivational interviewing 2: how to apply this approach in general nursing practice
Health promotion is a vital part of both preventing and managing long term conditions. Nurses can use the technique to promote behaviour change
Motivational interviewing 1: background, principles and application in healthcare
Motivational interviewing can help people improve their lifestyles but nurses need to understand its principles to spot opportunities to encourage this
Innovations
The effectiveness of drug round tabards in reducing incidence of medication errors
Medication errors can be caused by interruptions during drug rounds. This study reports on the impact of drug round tabards on such interruptions
Evidence-based practice
Do older people with hip fractures benefit from multidisciplinary rehabilitation?
A Cochrane review compared multidisciplinary rehabilitation for fractured neck of femur with usual rehabilitation in inpatient and ambulatory settings
Do end of life care pathways improve symptoms and quality of life for patients and families?
End of life care pathways standardise care of the dying and guide nurses. This Cochrane review aimed to explore whether following them ensures patients receive care that provides comfort and dignity
Evaluating motivational interviewing as a strategy to support smoking cessation
Nurses are well placed to support smoking cessation. This summary outlines the nursing implications of a recent Cochrane review on motivational interviewing
Evaluating the effectiveness of falls prevention strategies in nursing care facilities and hospitals
Falls prevention is a high impact intervention, but which strategies work? This summary outlines the nursing implications of a recent Cochrane review
Share nursing ideas
Nursing practice, clinical research
How to reduce the negative psychological impact of MRSA isolation on patients
Patient isolation is necessary to prevent MRSA cross infection but steps must be taken to minimise the psychological impact of this infection control measure
How to manage bacterial meningitis and meningococcal septicaemia in under-16s
A member of the NICE guideline development group highlights the important issues from the latest evidence based guideline for Nursing Times readers
Assessing the most clinically and cost effective method of closing skin after surgical procedures
Non-absorbable and slowly absorbed sutures are often used to close wounds. The results of aliterature review and economic assessment challenged these methods
The Awkward Feeling campaign: confronting poor hand hygiene to improve handwashing
A student workshop identified that a new system of ‘supporting, shaming and blaming’ would encourage healthcare professionals to wash their hands
Equity and excellence: measuring the quality of wound care and tissue viability services
Effectiveness of care provision must be demonstrated in the new NHS. Practice must be aligned to priorities for quality and true measurements of care recorded
Practice questions
What is the correct way to remove a chest drain?
Nursing practice often involves undertaking procedures about which there is debate or uncertainty. In Practice Questions we ask experts to determine how nurses should approach these procedures
Should we be using water filled gloves under the heel to prevent pressure ulcers?
Nursing practice often involves undertaking procedures about which there is debate or uncertainty. In Practice Question we ask experts to determine how nurses should approach these situations
I have been asked to help measure the apex and radial pulse. What are they and why is it necessary to measure both?
Nursing practice often involves undertaking procedures about which there is debate or uncertainty. In Practice Question we ask experts to determine how nurses should approach these situations
Introducing Nursing Times Learning
Nursing Times Learning offers online training courses that are written and reviewed by experts.
On completing each course, you'll earn
two hours' CPD and a personalised certificate for your portfolio.
Learn more >>
To get started, choose from the growing list of courses available from Nursing Times Learning:
Pick of the week
How to avoid drug errors
Chris Tyreman looks at common causes of drug errors and offers his tips on how to avoid them.
Mark Radcliffe
If you were stuck in a hole, wouldn't you be sad?
Some friends and I once made up a game called “Worst case scenarios”. We would compare our fears and then try to work out how we would cope should they be realised. For me it was waking up and finding I had been transported to the top of Nelson’s Column.
Beyond the Bedpan
May I recommend a White Lightning with your pot noodle, sir?
Bank holiday is a boozy time for a lot of us. Beyond the Bedpan loves nothing more than a lazy BBQ and a glass of wine. And we’d barely recovered from our bank holiday binge when we stumbled across two alcohol stories that seemed to contradict one another.
Practice comment
Costs can be cut by providing high quality training in leg ulcer care
Leg ulcer care is complex, and a lack of understanding by managers and funders about its management can cause unnecessary costs and harm care, says Irene Anderson
Opinion
White paper will reduce the NHS to a mere brand name
Throughout the general election campaign, the Conservatives and the Liberal Democrats promised the NHS would be safe in their hands. There would be no more top down decisions, we were told by the leaders of what is now the coalition government.
Image of Nursing
The image of nursing: Does nursing's media image matter?
In the second of our series of blogs on the image of nursing, Sandy and Harry Summers wonder if it really matters what the media says.
Nursing blogs
The image of nursing: Does nursing's media image matter?
In the second of our series of blogs on the image of nursing, Sandy and Harry Summers wonder if it really matters what the media says.
Patient Safety Resources
Popular practice
Student blog
'This week is a big week for my daughter and I'
Nursing Times’ student nurse blogger Katrina Michelle Rowan on going back to school.
Innovation
Events and conferences
Nursing Times Conferences tackle the critical issues in nursing today. They deliver insight, practical guidance and an independent voice. Our events are essential learning and skills development opportunities for all nurses. Click here to go to events and conferences.



The image of nursing: Does nursing's media image matter?"







