http://www.nursingtimes.net http://www.nursingtimes.net http://www.nursingtimes.net/magazine/graphics/logo.png http://www.nursingtimes.net http://www.nursingtimes.net/nursing-practice/clinical-zones/infection-control/specimen-collection-1-obtaining-a-midstream-specimen-of-urine/1295662.article?referrer=RSS http://www.nursingtimes.net/nursing-practice/clinical-zones/infection-control/specimen-collection-1-obtaining-a-midstream-specimen-of-urine/1295662.article Specimen collection is the process of obtaining tissue or fluids for laboratory analysis or near-patient testing. It is often a first step in determining diagnosis and treatment (Dougherty and Lister, 2004). The process must minimise health and safety risk to all staff handling the sample and the risk of erroneous data/results. This article, the first in a six-part series on specimen collection, details how to collect a midstream specimen of urine (MSU). Tue, 29 Apr 2008 13:21 GMT http://www.nursingtimes.net/nursing-practice/clinical-zones/gastroenterology/specimen-collection-part-3-collecting-a-stool-specimen/1328291.article?referrer=RSS http://www.nursingtimes.net/nursing-practice/clinical-zones/gastroenterology/specimen-collection-part-3-collecting-a-stool-specimen/1328291.article This article, the third in a six-part series on specimen collection, explains how to collect a stool specimen Thu, 8 May 2008 18:22 GMT http://www.nursingtimes.net/nursing-practice/clinical-zones/nutrition/-patient-assessment-1-calculation-of-body-mass-index/755432.article?referrer=RSS http://www.nursingtimes.net/nursing-practice/clinical-zones/nutrition/-patient-assessment-1-calculation-of-body-mass-index/755432.article This is part 1 of a six-part series on patient assessment procedures. It discusses the calculation and use of body mass index (BMI). This is a measure of body fat based on height and weight that is commonly used to assess nutritional status, either as a stand-alone tool or as part of a comprehensive nutritional assessment. Tue, 19 Feb 2008 15:30 GMT http://www.nursingtimes.net/home/clinical-zones/continence/patient-assessment-part-6-urinalysis/993353.article?referrer=RSS http://www.nursingtimes.net/home/clinical-zones/continence/patient-assessment-part-6-urinalysis/993353.article Urinalysis is a simple, cost-effective procedure that may be undertaken as part of a health assessment to identify a change in physiological status. It can reveal diseases that have gone unnoticed because they do not produce striking signs or symptoms, and may also be used in the ongoing management of conditions such as diabetes Tue, 25 Mar 2008 18:06 GMT http://www.nursingtimes.net/nursing-practice/clinical-zones/end-of-life-and-palliative-care/carrying-out-last-offices-part-2-preparation-of-the-body/1872056.article?referrer=RSS http://www.nursingtimes.net/nursing-practice/clinical-zones/end-of-life-and-palliative-care/carrying-out-last-offices-part-2-preparation-of-the-body/1872056.article This two-part series on last offices outlines the procedures involved in preparing a body after death. The first part, last week, discussed factors that influence practice. This second part details the practical procedure of performing last offices. Wed, 24 Sep 2008 12:18 GMT