Latest respiratory research
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Effects of bedrest 2: respiratory and haematological systems Subscription
This second article in a six-part series on the effects of bedrest explains how prolonged bedrest negatively affects the respiratory and haematological systems and mental health
Respiratory rate 6: the benefits of continuous monitoringSubscription
What are the benefits of continuous respiratory rate monitoring? This final article in our six-part series on respiratory rate looks at the potential benefits of new technology to help detect deterioration
Use of excessive oxygen in the acutely ill increases mortality rateSubscription
Findings of a systematic review by the National Institute for Health Research comparing the use of ‘liberal’ and ‘conservative’ oxygen therapies and their impact on patient mortality
Respiratory rate 5: using this vital sign to detect deteriorationSubscription
How can respiratory rate assessment help identify community-acquired pneumonia and sepsis? This is the fifth in our six-part series on respiratory rate
Respiratory rate 4: breathing rhythm and chest movementSubscription
The fourth article in our series on respiratory rate is a guide to the assessment of breathing rhythm and chest movement, which provide important information on a patient’s condition
Respiratory rate 3: how to take an accurate measurementSubscription
What is the procedure for accurately measuring patients’ respiratory rate? What are its limitations? This is the third article in our six-part series on the respiratory rate
Respiratory rate 2: anatomy and physiology of breathingSubscription
Respiratory rate is a vital sign but is often not recorded. This article, the second in a six-part series, explains the anatomy and physiology of breathing and how it is affected by ill health
A primary care screening model to identify latent tuberculosis infectionSubscription
A programme offering recent migrants screening for tuberculosis in primary care has helped identify people with latent infection, who can thus access treatment and avoid developing active disease
Respiratory rate 1: why measurement and recording are crucial Subscription
The respiratory rate is an essential observation but is often not recorded. This article, the first in a six-part series looking at the importance of this vital sign, explains why nurses need to measure and record it
Birth of a research consortium for respiratory nursesSubscription
The recently created Respiratory Nurse Research Consortium strives to empower nurses to become active in research. This article explores its vision, mission, aims and objectives
Asthma bus touring schools improves pupils’ symptom controlSubscription
In 2018, the Slough ‘asthma bus’ will tour secondary schools in the borough of Slough for the third consecutive year. This initiative won the Respiratory Nursing category in the 2017 Nursing Times Awards
Stepping down asthma treatment: perceptions of primary care staffSubscription
Primary care practitioners do not always reduce inhaled medication doses for patients whose asthma is under control, despite this being recommended practice. A qualitative questionnaire study explored why
Factors affecting patient outcomes in acute non-invasive ventilation Subscription
The National Confidential Enquiry into Patient Outcome and Death undertook a study to ascertain aspects of care that could be improved for patients receiving non-invasive ventilation
Every breath you take: the process of breathing explainedSubscription
Breathing is central to life, as it allows the human body to obtain the energy it needs to sustain itself and its activities. But how does it work?
Using specialist teams to diagnose breathlessness in primary care Subscription
Partnership working between general practice and specialist respiratory teams can improve the management of patients with undiagnosed breathlessness. This project was shortlisted for the HRH Prince of Wales Award for Integrated Approaches, Nursing Times Awards 2016
Spirometry: technical overview and new training and certification requirementsSubscription
Spirometry is widely used to diagnose and monitor respiratory diseases, but requires specific skills and knowledge. A national register is being created which will feature all appropriately trained and/or certified practitioners
Providing effective asthma care to people with learning disabilities Subscription
A winning team from the Nursing Times Awards 2016 set up an asthma clinic for people with learning disabilities to help improve asthma control and reduce pressure on urgent care services
Nurses’ role in improving outcomes for patients with severe asthmaSubscription
Severe asthma can be countered by adequate assessment, support and treatment both in primary care and in specialist centres. This article is accompanied by a self-assessment questionnaire so you can test your knowledge after reading it
Anatomy and physiology of ageing 2: the respiratory systemSubscription
The normal ageing process brings about changes to the respiratory system which mean older people are at increased risk of respiratory tract infections. What exactly happens and why?
Providing timely end-of-life care to patients who have COPDSubscription
In East London, joint working between respiratory and palliative care teams ensures patients with severe COPD have access to end-of-life care.
Ensuring rapid access to acute respiratory careSubscription
Development of a specialist acute outreach team and rapid-access clinics enabled a trust to ensure acute respiratory patients had timely access to specialist care
Issues of home-based non-invasive ventilationSubscription
Non-invasive ventilation is increasingly used to manage patients with COPD at home, but the evidence base is poor and competent professionals are insufficient in number
Comment: 'Oxygen must be treated like a drug to avoid under or overdose'Subscription
Oxygen is potentially harmful if given incorrectly. Katy Beckford stresses that it must be treated as a drug and that clinicians need to be trained in the risks associated with overdosing
Tracheostomy 4: Supporting patients following a laryngectomySubscription
Patients who have a laryngectomy need help adapting to complex changes including managing their airway, speech loss, body image changes, and altered smell and taste
Tracheostomy 3: care of patients with permanent tracheostomySubscription
Patients who have a permanent tracheostomy have complex needs that require specialised care after they have been discharged from hospital
Developing a sleep apnoea clinic for prisonersSubscription
Prisoners cannot always access the health services available to the general public, so one nurse set up a clinic to help diagnose and treat obstructive sleep apnoea
Tracheostomy 2: Managing the weaning of a temporary tracheostomySubscription
Removal of a temporary tracheostomy can cause anxiety for patients. Weaning and decannulation requires careful planning, and the support of a multiprofessional team
Tracheostomy 1: caring for patients with a tracheostomySubscription
Many nurses lack essential training to manage blocked or dislodged tracheostomy tubes. This article provides information on the care of patients with a tracheostomy
Using pulse oximetry to assess oxygen levelsSubscription
Pulse oximetry is a vital tool in patient assessment. Nurses must use the correct procedure and be aware of situations where accuracy of reading may be compromised
Primary immune deficiency in bronchiectasisSubscription
Adult patients living with primary immune deficiency and bronchiectasis require early diagnosis and prompt medical treatment to improve and maintain their health status
Improving pulmonary rehabilitation servicesSubscription
Pulmonary rehabilitation is an effective therapy for patients with COPD. A national audit identified where it is offered, its value and how PR services can be improved
Practical procedures: oxygen therapySubscription
Oxygen therapy can be lifesaving but nurses must know how it works, when to use it, and how to correctly assess and evaluate a patient’s treatment
Treatment of obesity hypoventilation syndromeSubscription
Obesity hypoventilation syndrome affects physical and mental health. Treatment should focus on weight loss but is aided by managing symptoms via non-invasive ventilation
Providing better asthma care for children in schoolSubscription
A project provided children and young people with better care and support, and improved education and awareness for parents and teachers
Improving outcomes with online COPD self-careSubscription
An innovative approach to the self-management of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is demonstrating the efficacy of online patient support
Systemic corticosteroids for acute COPD exacerbationsSubscription
Acute exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease can result in hospital admission so it is essential that nurses know which treatments are most effective
Comment: 'Step out of your comfort zone and overcome your fears'Subscription
Becoming an active member of a professional organisation may take you out of your comfort zone, but is interesting and rewarding, says Rebecca Sherrington
Co-creating personalised asthma action plansSubscription
National guidance recommends that all patients with asthma are offered a personal asthma action plan, created by health professionals in partnership with patients
Interstitial pulmonary fibrosis: care standardsSubscription
New NICE quality standards for interstitial pulmonary fibrosis aim to improve care standards for all patients diagnosed with this progressive and life-limiting condition
Care planning in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosisSubscription
Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis is a progressive lung disorder requiring careful management in partnership with patients to slow its progress and optimise quality of life
An audit of care provided to patients with COPDSubscription
Nationwide audit of COPD care reveals many aspects of provision have improved, but the number of units with specialist nurses managing COPD caseloads has declined
Barriers to managing TB in emergency departmentsSubscription
A survey of staff in an emergency department unit explored whether they had the knowledge to recognise and manage patients presenting with tuberculosis
How nurses can support early diagnosis of tuberculosisSubscription
Tuberculosis is now a significant public health issue, and nurses need to know its signs and symptoms and which groups at increased risk of infection
Giving nutrition support to critically ill adultsSubscription
Patients who are critically ill are at greater risk of malnutrition and nurses must be able to accurately assess their nutritional needs to help them recover
"Just Do It": nurse-led change in NottinghamSubscription
Nottingham University Hospitals Trust has created a quality-improvement scheme that gives nurses the opportunity to have their ideas put into practice with minimal delay
Setting up a nurse-led chest drain clinicSubscription
Patients with ambulatory chest drains can be discharged home early if supported by review at a nurse-led clinic, patient information and a 24-hour helpline
Adherence to CPAP in obstructive sleep apnoeaSubscription
A Cochrane review explored the effectiveness of strategies to improve adherence to continuous positive airway pressure treatment in patients with obstructive sleep apnoea
Discussing CPR near the end of lifeSubscription
Health professionals should help patients assess whether cardiopulmonary resuscitation should be attempted in the event of cardiorespiratory arrest
Using patient passports to improve A&E asthma careSubscription
An asthma patient passport could enable patients with severe asthma to get the right treatment when they present in accident and emergency with exacerbations
The role of the nurse in pulmonary rehabilitationSubscription
Respiratory nurses can create pulmonary rehabilitation care programmes to help improve the quality of life for patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
