British journal of nursing (Mark Allen Publishing)
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This article describes the treatment of carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning with hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBO). Carbon monoxide poisoning is the commonest cause of fatal poisoning in the UK. Despite this, HBO is an underused treatment modality. ⋯ Other causes of poisoning were: house fire; faulty gas appliances; industrial furnaces; and petrol generators. Of the 82 patients treated, 13 required mechanical ventilation and full haemodynamic monitoring, while the remainder were able to walk in and a few patients received intravenous sedation. In recent years the trend has been to re-treat patients more than once in the first 24 hours to increase efficacy and hopefully decrease the serious sequelae that can occur following CO poisoning.
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Use of air mattresses in reduction of pressure sore incidence is an important part of quality patient care. However, there will never be enough air mattresses to match the demand as increased education and an increase in the general provision of air mattresses can lead to an unrealistic expectation of obtaining air mattresses when required for patients. This raises the demand for air mattresses and increases costs within hospital trusts. ⋯ Results showed that more patients were comfortable on the Thermo contour mattresses than on all other mattresses. Patients with Waterlow scores under 25 did not develop pressure sores on the Thermo contour mattress. However, the sample of patients with a Waterlow score of between 20 and 25 was small and therefore further research is required.
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Hospital admission for children inevitably provokes feelings of anxiety for both parent and child. The development of day surgery has in some respects eased many of these anxieties; however, without the support of both verbal and written information and the development of quality preparation from children's nurses anxiety will continue to exist. This article seeks to explore the benefits of preparing children and parents for day surgery using preadmission education, and suggests how improvements may be made to practice, education and research.