British journal of nursing (Mark Allen Publishing)
-
Although political interest in reducing the number of inappropriate hospital admissions is mounting, methods for researching the rate of inappropriate admissions have several major limitations. Whereas traditional studies have tended to be predominantly subjective, more recent studies using clinical review instruments also have a number of limitations. Chief among these is the failure to consider the potential input of the individual patient. To illustrate some of the possible benefits of patient participation, this article cites findings from a study in Birmingham, which sought to involve individual older people in a research study into emergency hospital admissions.
-
The ageing process can bring with it an increased incidence of conditions which give rise to chronic pain. Persistent musculoskeletal and/or neuropathic pain due to conditions such as back pain, arthritis, osteoporosis and diabetes in elderly people can lead to a marked deterioration in their quality of life. ⋯ Pain management can be difficult due to the existence of multiple medical problems and the increased incidence of side-effects related to the treatment. This article aims to update nurses on the assessment and management of pain in the older adult, and will provide a broad overview of pain management strategies suitable for elderly patients.
-
The Wound Management Policy Group is a sub-committee of the Nursing and Midwifery Development Group and has an important role at Queen's Medical Centre, both in providing support to the tissue viability clinical nurse specialist and in providing a multiprofessional perspective on the development and evaluation of policies, protocols, strategies and guidelines in all aspects of tissue viability. The four major recent projects are: the Nottingham Wound Care Formulary and wound management guidelines; the strategy for the prevention and management of pressure damage; the policy and procedure for obtaining pressure-relieving equipment; and the development of group protocols. These projects are described below. The Wound Management Policy Group promotes the use of evidence-based practice across Queen's Medical Centre to ensure the provision of high-quality care in all aspects of wound management.