Nursing times
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It has become an increasingly common practice to treat fever in children with a combination of antipyretics, despite the lack of evidence of clinical benefit. Promoting this practice can potentially worsen "fever phobia", which is widespread and puts children at risk from dosing errors. ⋯ This article dispels some of the myths associated with paediatric fevers and reviews best practice for treatment. Armed with knowledge of evidence-based practice, nurses are in a position to influence parents and the wider healthcare community and so achieve safer drug administration.
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In 2011, the respiratory nursing team at the James Paget University Hospital Foundation Trust were considering introducing a discharge care bundle for patients admitted with an acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. At the same time, the trust was asking for applications for Commissioning for Quality and Innovation schemes (CQUINs). ⋯ A CQUIN scheme should address the three domains of quality, safety and effectiveness, patient experience and also show innovation. This article discusses how the care bundle was introduced and how, over a 12-month period, it showed tangible results in improving the care pathway for COPD patients as well as reducing readmissions and saving a significant amount of money.