British journal of nursing (Mark Allen Publishing)
-
The recent epic2 publication (Pratt et al, 2007) provides evidence-based guidelines for the prevention of healthcare-associated infections. One of the new recommendations related to the prevention of central venous catheter (CVC) associated infection states that 2% chlorhexidine gluconate (CHG) in 70% isopropyl alcohol (IPA) should be used for cutaneous antisepsis prior to device insertion. This article reviews cutaneous antisepsis prior to intravascular catheter placement.
-
Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter Study Comparative Study
Nurses' views on ease of patient care in postoperative pain management.
The fentanyl HCl iontophoretic transdermal system (ITS) is a compact, needle-free, pre-programmed patient-controlled analgesic system that was developed to address limitations to existing therapies for postoperative pain management. A randomized, controlled trial was conducted in 11 European countries to evaluate the efficacy and safety of postoperative pain control using fentanyl ITS compared with a standard regimen of morphine provided by an intravenous patient-controlled analgesia (IV PCA) pump. ⋯ Nurses' ratings of patient-care tasks associated with each pain management system were significantly more favourable for fentanyl ITS than for morphine IV PCA. These findings suggest that nurses consider fentanyl ITS to be easier to use than morphine IV PCA.
-
Providing a clean, comfortable bed and positioning a patient in the optimum posture for prevention of complications and to enable maximum independence are fundamental nursing skills. Bed-making is a daily routine that requires practical and technical skills. ⋯ In this article bed-making is described, as are positioning and re-positioning in relation to patients in bed, armchairs and wheelchairs. Infection control and moving and handling issues are also considered.