Bedbugs and consultants are bleeding us dry
Nursing practice for older people's nursing
Nursing practice, clinical research and news for nurses caring for older people
Latest news
Mental exercise may speed up dementia
Doing crossword puzzles and other mentally stimulating pursuits may hide the progress of Alzheimer’s disease rather than prevent it, meaning a crucial treatment window is missed, according to new research.
Malnourished patients go unnoticed
Almost a third of nurses are not confident that a malnourished relative would be spotted if admitted to hospital, a survey by charity Age UK has found.
End of life care is compromised as ‘crucial’ services are denied funds
Primary care trusts spent just a quarter of the funds they were given to pay for end of life care on direct nursing provision to support patients dying at home.
Drug protects nerve cells in Parkinson's patients
American scientists have discovered new drugs that can protect nerve cells in mice from the affects of Parkinson’s disease.
Neurological disease test may improve diagnosis
A new method of testing for neurological disease could provide a way to non-invasively diagnose degenerative disorders rapidly, according to new research.
Rheumatoid arthritis drugs approved
A number of new drugs for patients with rheumatoid arthritis have been recommended by NICE.
Guided learning
After death 2: exploring the procedures for laying out and preparing the body for viewing
Last offices must be performed with dignity and respect. Nurses are uniquely placed to have awareness of the wishes of patients and their grieving families
After death 1: caring for bereaved relatives and being aware of cultural differences
Nurses are ideally placed to perform last offices for patients who are deceased and care for their bereaved relatives. Cultural awareness and sensitivity is vital
More news
Dramatic decline in nursing posts fuels job fears
The number of nursing vacancies has fallen by nearly 40 per cent in the last year, according to data gathered by Nursing Times.
Nurses risk registration by breaching rules for Botox
Hundreds of nurses are risking their registration by bending prescribing rules to deliver facelifts on the cheap, Nursing Times has discovered.
Research report
Dementia care 3: evaluating the effects of wellbeing reviews on residents and staff
Wellbeing is now considered a crucial aspect of mental health. A continuing needs unit introduced a programme of reviews to improve quality of care
Dementia care 2: exploring how nursing staff manage challenging behaviour
The national dementia strategy calls for care homes to adopt a person centred approach to care planning. This study looks at whether this is being implemented
Evidence-based practice
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
Guidelines outline key actions to improve infection control
The Department of Health has published guidance that summarises good practice in infection prevention and ward cleanliness. Nerys Hairon highlights the main points
Behind the headlines
Arthritis may block Alzheimer's
A protein produced in arthritis may “protect against the development of Alzheimer’s disease,” reported BBC News.
Exploring the anatomy and physiology of ageing
Guidance in brief
New guidelines address the issue of prosecution for assisted suicide in a healthcare context
The laws on assisted suicide have been clarified to put an emphasis on intent, and prosecution policy now specifically mentions nurses and other clinicians
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
Does giving paracetamol to lower raised temperature interfere with the body's natural defence response to infection?
Nursing practice often involves procedures or management about which there is debate or uncertainty. In Practice Questions we ask experts to determine how nurses should approach these
Is BMI an accurate measure of nutritional status in older people?’
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
Antibiotics for catheterised patients
Should patients with long-term urinary catheters receive antibiotic prophylaxis at the time of catheter change?
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Practice comment
Nurses need to be at the heart of commissioning if NHS reforms are to meet patient needs
As the white paper heralds a new era for healthcare commissioning, Malcolm Thomson urges all nurses to become involved in shaping future services
Use clinical practice to generate research ideas and transform care
Research often stems from academia but clinicians are ideally placed to identify care improvements. Even if your idea seems off the wall, take the plunge and try it, urges Sue Davies
Changing practice
Developing a nurse led hospice outpatient clinic to improve palliative care services
The Gold Standards Framework recommends advanced care planning. The clinic gave nurses the ideal opportunity to optimise patient choice and reduce anxiety
The high impact actions for nursing and midwifery 1: keeping nourished – getting better
Malnutrition is often unrecognised and its consequences can be devastating. Ensuring patients receive adequate nutrition and hydration is fundamental.
Practice review
The physical, social and emotional effects of bowel dysfunction in Parkinson’s disease
Constipation associated with Parkinson’s disease can damage wellbeing and restrict independence. Effective bowel care is essential to maximise people’s quality of life.
How to ensure acute pain in older people is appropriately assessed and managed
Older people often need pain relief yet age related changes can influence drug pharmacokinetics. An awareness of both drug and non-drug interventions is vital
In depth
Reaching a consensus and ranking research priorities in urinary incontinence
There are gaps in evidence relating to interventions in common use. This project brought together clinicians and patients to prioritise where research is needed
Ensuring patient choices about dignity and place of death are respected at the end of life
Patients’ palliative care preferences should be respected, but many people still do not die at home. This article examines how services must adapt to allow this
Practical procedures
Specimen Collection 1. Obtaining a Midstream Specimen of Urine
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).
End of Life Care
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End of life care is compromised as ‘crucial’ services are denied funds
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Developing a nurse led hospice outpatient clinic to improve palliative care services
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Religious beliefs affect end-of-life care decisions
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Hospice launches helpline for nurses
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PCT shuts out of hours service
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The high impact actions for nursing and midwifery 6: where to die when the time comes
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How to implement the Gold Standards Framework to ensure continuity of care
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Improving integrated team working to support people to die in the place of their choice
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Disease lottery revealed in end of life care provision
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Offering spiritual support to dying patients and their families through a chaplaincy service
