British journal of nursing (Mark Allen Publishing)
-
This article discusses the NHS (Charges to Overseas Visitors) Regulations 1989 and subsequent amendments in relation to refused asylum seekers. It explores the impact of the regulations on the health care experienced by this group. ⋯ The article then considers how the restricted access to health care impacts on the health of refused asylum seekers and how this relates to international law. Lastly, it discusses inconsistencies within the regulations.
-
'Thousands of patients are annually starved in the midst of plenty for want of attention to the ways which alone make it possible for them to take food' (Florence Nightingale, 1860).
-
Healthcare-associated infections (HCAIs) are a high priority for health professionals. Under the Health and Social Care Act (2008), NHS organizations that fail to comply with the duties in the act could, in extreme cases, be liable for prosecution. Saving Lives (2007) is a national strategy to prevent and control HCAIs which incorporates seven high-impact interventions or care bundles. ⋯ A steering group consisting of senior multidisciplinary team members was set up. One of the aims of the group was to reduce variations in practice and to standardize documentation and clinical practice. This article describes how phase I of the programme was implemented across the Trust and discusses the standardized documentation developed.
-
Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) and hyperglycaemic hyperosmolar state (HHS) are both diabetic emergencies associated with hyperglycaemia and can be fatal if healthcare professionals fail to recognize and intervene appropriately. While many students and qualified nurses may be able to recall common signs and symptoms related to DKA and HHS - for example polyuria, polydipsia and elevated blood sugars - understanding the physiological mechanisms behind abnormal observations and restoring homeostasis through appropriate management is far more complex. Health educators can play a significant role in contextualizing difficult concepts, such as DKA and HHS, so that these complex conditions can be recognized with greater confidence and competence in clinical practice.
-
All patients undergoing surgery are at risk of developing hypothermia; up to 70% develop hypothermia perioperatively. Inadvertent hypothermia is associated with complications such as impaired wound healing, increased blood loss, cardiac arrest and increased risk of wound infection. Anaesthesia increases the risk as the normal protective shivering reflex is absent. ⋯ Simple precautionary measures initiated by nurses can considerably reduce the amount of heat lost, minimize the risk of associated complications and ultimately improve patients' short- and long-term recovery. Minimizing skin exposure, providing adequate bed linen for the transfer to theatre and educating patients about the importance of keeping warm perioperatively are all extremely important. It is also worth considering using forced-air warmers preoperatively as research suggests that initiating active warming preoperatively may be successful in preventing hypothermia during the perioperative period.