These are very useful debates, nurses' happiness and wellbeing is a clear precursor to happy and well patients"
What's new in nursing
Practice, news, clinical research, community and debate - for all nurses
Breaking news
'Myths' could leave nurses in danger of sharps injuries
Nurses will remain at risk of unnecessary sharps injuries because half of trusts are unlikely to switch to safer needles, despite new European legislation.
Contraception may be provided by maternity departments
The Department of Health may look at ensuring that contraception advice has to be provided at maternity departments, as it now must be by abortion providers.
Tuberculosis cases up by 5% in year
The Health Protection Agency has warned people to be vigilant after latest figures revealed the number of cases of tuberculosis rose by more than 5% last year.
Drug could prevent 90% of strokes
Thousands of strokes could be prevented each year by a simple switch of medication, a major drug trial has suggested.
Close hospital beds to save money, says report
Some regions of the country should close more than a quarter of their hospital beds to save on running costs and improve care for individual patients, a think-tank has said.
PATIENT SAFETY
Deteriorating patients - spot
the warning signs
Reduce in-hospital cardiac arrest and mortality through earlier recognition and treatment of the deteriorating patient.
Login here to access how-to guides, articles in improving patient safety and case studies from NHS trusts.
Nursing blogs
Nursin' USA - Why don't UK wheelchairs go in the right direction?
Our favourite US import Sara Morgan is impressed by manual handling procedures in the UK - if only we were so forward-thinking when it came to wheelchairs
The simple art of giving and working together - Haitian style
Fi Stephenson reports from the front line of the Haiti earthquake zone, where a huge aid delivery brought some much needed respite
Practice questions
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
Case studies
How taking on a mothering role can lead to less effective care and advocacy for patients
The treatment of a patient and attitudes towards him raised questions about the nursing role, and gender and age differences between nurses and patients
Guided learning
How to measure patient experience and outcomes to demonstrate quality in care
Do you assess the care you provide to find out how good it is? A range of methods are available for you to check whether you really do provide high quality care
Depression in adults with long term conditions 2: antidepressant and psychological treatments
Depression ranges from mild to severe, and treatment varies according to level. Recognition and skilled assessment are therefore vital for effective management
Innovations
Integrated care pilot programme: ensuring people with dementia receive joined up care
The government is piloting several models of integrated working in health and social care. A nurse led pilot improved support for older people with dementia
Share nursing ideas
Benefits of developing community leg ulcer services in college
In response to the Darzi Review, High Quality Care for All, ( DoH, 2008 ) Hampshire Community Health Care (HCHC) are currently undergoing exciting new changes in order to Transform Community Services, aiming to improve the quality of care and health choices, offered to service users.
Care of deteriorating patients
Salford Royal Foundation Trust signed up to Patient Safety First in 2008 and is one of the trusts to implement the reducing harm from deterioration intervention.
Behind the headlines
Baldness and prostate cancer risk
“Hair loss ‘almost halves the risk of prostate cancer’,” the Daily Mail reported. The news is based on a study looking at hair loss in about 2,000 men aged between 35 and 74, about half of whom had prostate cancer.
Evidence-based practice
NHS Evidence makes it easier to access the latest evidence based information
NHS Evidence allows staff to keep up to speed on best practice. One nurse describes how this has revolutionised the way he can provide effective care
Nursing practice, clinical research
Exploring how nursing uniforms influence self image and professional identity
Nurses often have strong feelings about their uniforms. This study examined student nurses’ views and how to balance modernity with nursing’s heritage
How can community nurses improve quality of life for patients with leg ulcers?
Leg ulceration can cause a range of problems. Community nurses need tools to assess patients’ subjective experiences so they can improve their quality of life
Are nurses empowered to make decisions about levels of patient observation in mental health?
Mental health nurses are crucial in doing special observations. This study looked at nurses’ views on whether they are involved in and empowered to make decisions
How should the NHS be managed?
Latest practice
Exploring how nursing uniforms influence self image and professional identity
Nurses often have strong feelings about their uniforms. This study examined student nurses’ views and how to balance modernity with nursing’s heritage
Practice comment
Nurses should not let themselves be defined by their uniform
It is time to stop focusing on nurse uniform as a means of professional identity, and to base our self worth on the importance of the profession’s work, argues Sara Morgan
CNO's Bulletin
Voicepiece - supporting leadership
This month, CNO Christine Beasley highlights two publications that focus on the quality agenda, and contain important messages for those in leadership roles.
Beyond the Bedpan
Relationships with patients' partners - where do you draw the line?
Beyond the Bedpan is appalled at the coverage of a cancer nurse being investigated for ‘inappropriate’ relationships with the partners of former patients. It’s an uncomfortable subject that raises some serious personal and professional questions. What do you think?
Resources
DH launch new smoking Quit Kit
A NHS Stop Smoking Quit Kit, designed by experts and smokers, has been launched to help people stop smoking in the New Year.
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.
Join the debate
Free stuff for nurses
Free Cinema Tickets - Happy Ever Afters
Registered users of nursingtimes.net can claim free tickets to see Happy Ever Afters at cinemas across the UK.
Win a set of student nurse survival guides
Pearson Education are giving away 5 sets of their new student nurse survival guides to registered users of Nursingtimes.net
Poll
Do private care home residents need more protection?
