It’s time to start looking after nurses to boost careBehind the Rituals
Should nurses be on hand to help police in dealing with mental health offenders?
Article: Nurses to aid police with mental health offenders
Theresa May has unveiled plans for nurses to accompany police officers when they are dealing with those perceived to have a mental illness, particularly when it is likely the individual is going to be detained under the mental health act.
What do you think?
- Will this recommendation improve safety for mental health patients detained in police custody?
- Should the police be offered better training in dealing with mental health problems?
- Would it be more appropriate for those with the power to apply the MHA to accompany the police?
- Does this open up possibilities for senior nurses to have the power to section?
Does opening windows reduce infection rates?
We reported this week that the chance of infection in wards varies dramatically depending on whether nursing staff leave the windows open. A study by the University of Leeds and Bradford Teaching Foundation Trust looked at airflow in a disused “Nightingale” ward using tracer gases to simulate the spread of airborne infections.
They found ventilation in the ward was generally when windows were left open, keeping the danger of airborne infection low. But risks increased fourfold when the windows were closed.
Lead investigator Cath Noakes, from Leeds University, said: “These wards are still in operation and, although they have often been subdivided into smaller areas with six-eight beds, their ventilation and structure is still fundamentally the same.
“People are being told to seal up their buildings to save energy. If you do that without alternative ventilation systems, you could be increasing the airborne infection risk significantly,” she said.
The story produced an interesting response on Twitter:
@eileenshepherdgreat story …just goes to show that some of the old ways are still good Even open my windows at home after bed making !
— AgencyNurse(@AgencyNurse) May 13, 2013
@eileenshepherdFlorence was right all those years ago. High and low level ventilation (windows) evident in many Nightingale designs.
— Gary Thirkell (@pollygary) May 13, 2013
What do you think?
Should nurses undertake study in their own time?
Nursing is described as a profession, but terms such as “vocation” and “calling” are also used to describe the principles that attract people into nursing.
What do you think? Should nurses undertake study in their own time?
Is it safe to care for patients in 'hospital hotels'?
The proposals to ease so-called bed-blocking on NHS wards are based on a system used in Scandinavia, where services are run by private hotel chains.
NHS England, the new body responsible for recommending how local doctors’ groups should provide for their patients, has been asked to review the scheme.
An estimated 30,000 patients each year remain in hospital despite being well enough to be discharged.
What do you think? Will the scheme compromise patient safety?
Should patients be involved in nurses’ appraisals?
The new-style appraisal, which will also include feedback from patients, is being introduced in England by March 2014 as part of the Compassion in Practice national nursing strategy.
It follows a recommendation in the Mid Staffordshire Foundation Trust Public Inquiry report that common standards be developed for appraisals, including 360-degree anonymous feedback by colleagues and input from patients.
What do you think? Is this a good idea?
Should nurses accept education funding/grants from the drugs industry?
The money was paid to both NHS and private staff for consultancies, sponsorships and other interactions with drug businesses, according to the Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry (ABPI).
According to a spokesperson, the money was paid for attending medical education events, training and development, and fees for services such as speaking engagements to share good clinical practice and participation in advisory boards.
What do you think? Should nurses accept education funding/grants from the drugs industry?
Should nurses treat abusive patients?
What do you think?
- How do we define abusive behaviour?
- How do we measure abusive behaviour?
- Should it be tolerated if it is associated with patients’ health problems?
- Do NHS staff receive enough training to managing conflict with patients and relatives?
Should directors of nursing have a clinical role?
What do you think?
- Is it important for DONs to be clinically credible?
- Should DONs be clinical experts?
- Is it possible DONs to manage a nursing service if they are not directly involved in clinical practice?
Does hand hygiene technique matter?
Bailey J (2012) From Ward to Whitehall. The disaster at Mid Staffs Hospital. Cure the NHS: Stafford
Describing care at Mid Staffordshire Hospital Julie Bailey saw posters about hand hygiene on wards but nurses did not actually wash their hands.
Is too much emphasis placed on teaching hand hygiene technique rather than reinforcing the moments when hand hygiene should take place? What do you think?
Why is the NHS failing people with dementia?
According to the Care Quality Commission the health and social care system is “struggling” to care properly for people with dementia.
People with dementia living in care homes are more likely to be admitted to hospital with avoidable conditions - such as urinary tract infections, pressure ulcers and dehydration. Once in hospital, patients with dementia are more likely to stay there longer, be readmitted or to die there.
The CQC called for “better identification of dementia” and comprehensive training for care staff after the report also found that almost a third of hospital admissions for people with the condition did not include a record of their dementia, even though it had been identified in the past.
