Emergency nurse : the journal of the RCN Accident and Emergency Nursing Association
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A review of the severe acute respiratory syndrome outbreak in Ontario in 2003 found that there had been several faults in healthcare services and that these had contributed to the spread of infection and the deaths of two nurses. This article argues that, six years on, these faults have not been rectified and that Ontario healthcare services may be unprepared for an H1N1 outbreak. The assistant deputy public health minister of Toronto offers her response.
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The introduction of thrombolysis and dedicated stroke units have greatly improved the management of people who have had a stroke. However, for the benefits of these advances to be fully realised, emergency department nurses must be able to recognise the signs of stroke and act appropriately and quickly. With thrombolysis, timing is all-important, so practitioners need the knowledge and skills to assess individuals' suitability for this treatment, request immediate brain scans and refer patients directly to stroke units.