British journal of nursing (Mark Allen Publishing)
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Reflection and evaluation of wound care administered within the intensive care unit where the author is based suggested that an inadequate level of care was being provided. No structured approach existed; documentation was poor, with practitioners struggling to make decisions on appropriate care. A research study supported these reflections, and implied that wound care was delivered on an ad hoc basis. ⋯ Few staff had ever received any training on this topic and most knowledge was acquired through trial and error. No evidence-based approach to wound care was in place: thus, care was random and outdated. The results from the research study stimulated the development of a comprehensive evidence-based reference guide on the topic of wound care, which was designed for use in the clinical setting, and has allowed the development of a structured approach to wound care.
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The provision of artificial nutrition for critically ill patients is of great importance as many are unable to maintain their own nutritional needs. The administration of total parenteral nutrition (TPN) and enteral nutrition (EN) has become a daily practice in intensive care units. ⋯ In order to lessen the catabolic state which results from the hypermetabolism associated with critical illness, prompt and adequate nutritional support must be delivered. It is essential that members of the multidisciplinary team caring for critically ill patients are aware of the importance of nutrition and the deleterious effects of malnutrition to achieve the best possible outcome for patients.
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Staff nurse Paula Rose was on duty in the accident and emergency (A&E) department early one Sunday morning when a police constable came in asking for details of any patient who had been brought in and for whom there was evidence of a fall from height. The constable explained that a girl had been assaulted and raped while in her bedroom by an assailant who came in through the window. Her screams brought help, but he made his escape from the window and she believed that he had fallen and may have suffered fractures or bruises.
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Jenny Rose was a paediatric community nurse who regularly visited a child with a chronic lung condition who was being nursed at home. On one visit she noticed that the child's mother, Jane, appeared to be very pale and thin and was told that the mother had a severe gastric disorder with diarrhoea. From the description of the illness, Jenny thought that Jane might be suffering from typhoid. ⋯ Jenny was concerned that Jane could have a serious notifiable infectious disease and therefore be a danger to customers in the restaurant. Jane insisted that Jenny should keep the information confidential. Where does Jenny stand?
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After the removal of a dressing from a wound, wound cleansing is often the first action to be taken by the nurse. Saline or tap water is often used to loosen the dressing and therefore help to remove it. It can also be used for the subsequent cleansing of the wound if required. B/Braun Medical has a range of modern wound care products for all healing phases of acute and chronic wounds and this article will look at their saline range.