Nursing older people
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Nursing older people · Mar 2011
Prevention of indwelling catheter-associated urinary tract infections.
The use of indwelling urethral catheters has become a common aspect of patient care, but they can be a source of infection. Nurses can help to prevent catheter-associated urinary tract infections by using aseptic technique on insertion, following best practice in ongoing care and promptly removing catheters. The urinary catheter assessment and monitoring form (UCAM) is used at the Royal Hampshire County Hospital, Winchester, to remind staff of best practice and promote their early removal.
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Patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) are increasingly being used in the NHS to inform clinical treatments and even the funding of individual healthcare providers. This article examines the background to their increasing use. It aims to provide nurses with information and advice about resources to increase their knowledge of PROMs. It outlines the importance of patient-centred outcomes, describes the different types of PROMs and their use in clinical practice.
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Nursing older people · Sep 2010
The assessment and management of pain in people with dementia in care homes.
Pain is an unpleasant, subjective sensation and a universal human experience. However, under-recognition of pain in people with dementia is common; with verbal and behavioural expressions of pain misunderstood or not recognised and therefore untreated, to the detriment of the person with dementia. Care staff's success or otherwise in recognising, assessing and managing pain can have far-reaching consequences for the wellbeing of people with dementia. This article examines research on pain and pain in people with dementia and offers practical guidance on recognising, assessing and managing pain and on advocating for people with dementia who are no longer able to articulate their pain.