Articles – Colorectal Cancer

1.  Researchers ask why diagnoses of cancer are too often delayed
By Duffin, Christian
Emergency Nurse. Jul 2014, Vol. 22 Issue 4, p11-11. 1p
Abstract: The article presents a study by the London Cancer Alliance (LCA) that examines why diagnosis for a lot of cancer patients are often delayed. It discusses why such project focuses on patients with colorectal or lung cancer that were diagnosed after visiting emergency departments (ED). Primary- and secondary-care data collection of LCA researchers is also explored.

2.  Navigating the murky waters of colorectal cancer screening and health reform
By  Green, Beverly B.; Coronado, Gloria D.; Devoe, Jennifer E.; Allison, James.
American Journal of Public Health. Jun 2014, Vol. 104 Issue 6, p982-986. 5p
Abstract: The Affordable Care Act (ACA) mandates that both Medicaid and insurance plans cover life-saving preventive services recommended by the US Preventive Services Task Force, including colorectal cancer (CRC) screening and choice between colonoscopy, flexible sigmoidoscopy, and fecal occult blood testing (FOBT). People who choose FOBT or sigmoidoscopy as their initial test could face high, unexpected, out-of-pocket costs because the mandate does not cover needed follow-up colonoscopies after positive tests. Some people will have no coverage for any CRC screening because of lack of state participation in the ACA or because they do not qualify (e.g., immigrant workers). Existing disparities in CRC screening and mortality will worsen if policies are not corrected to fully cover both initial and follow-up testing.

3.  A “Green Banana” Worth Buying in Older Age: Colorectal Cancer Screening for Persons Older Than 75 Years Without Previous Screening
By  Clark, Amanda V.; Landefeld, C. Seth.
Annals of Internal Medicine. 6/3/2014, Vol. 160 Issue 11, p804-805. 3p.
Abstract: The article discusses a study by F. van Hees and colleagues on the importance of colorectal cancer screening for people older than 75 years. It discusses studies that provided evidence of a reduction in deaths due to colorectal cancer by screening persons aged 50 and above and screening recommendations of the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force. It mentions the use of the model, Microsimulation Screening Analysis-Colon, to examine costs and effectiveness of screening tests such as colonoscopy.

4. 5 simple steps that may help prevent colorectal cancer
Harvard Health Letter. Apr 2014, Vol. 39 Issue 6, p5-5. 1p
Abstract: The article offers strategies on how to prevent colorectal cancer. The preventive strategies include medical screening, exercise and vitamin D supplementation. Issues addressed by Dr. Charles Fuchs, director of the Gastrointestinal Cancer Center at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute about the prevention of colorectal cancer are outlined

Selected Articles – Nursing Inquiry, June 2013

5.  Caring for elders: the role of registered nurses in nursing homes.
By Bedin, Maria Grazia; Droz-Mendelzweig, Marion; Chappuis, Marianne.
Nursing Inquiry. Jun 2013, Vol. 20 Issue 2, p111-120
Abstract: Gerontological care in nursing homes receives little interest from students and newly qualified nurses alike. Yet, this population does have ever-more complex needs that call for a wide array of nursing competencies. This article highlights the essential contributions of registered nurses in the context of nursing homes and is part of a research study aimed at grasping the nature of caring for elders.

6. Nurses and the wise organisation: techne and phronesis in Australian general practice
By Phillips, Christine; Hall, Sally.
Nursing Inquiry. Jun 2013, Vol. 20 Issue 2, p121-132. 12p
Abstract: This paper draws on classical theories of wisdom to explore the organisational impact of nurses on Australian general practice. Between 2004 and 2008, numbers of general practice nurses doubled, the most rapid influx of nurses into any Australian workplace over the decade. Using data from the Australian General Practice Nurses Study, we argue that nurses had a positive impact because they introduced techne at the organisational level and amplified phronesis in clinical activities. In its Hippocratic formulation, techne refers to a field of definable knowledge, which is purposeful and useful and requires mastery of rational principles.

7. Unspoken phenomena: using the photovoice method to enrich phenomenological inquiry.
By Plunkett, Robyn; Leipert, Beverly D; Ray, Susan L.
Nursing Inquiry. Jun 2013, Vol. 20 Issue 2, p156-164
Abstract: Photovoice is a powerful method that is gaining momentum in nursing research. As a relatively new method in nursing science, the situatedness of photovoice within or alongside various research methodologies in a single study remains in a stage of early development. The purpose of this paper is to discuss the photovoice method as a means to elicit phenomenological data when researching the lived experience. While the foundational bases of phenomenology and photovoice differ substantially, the argument presented in this paper suggests that the photovoice method can be successfully used in phenomenological inquiry provided that significant rigour checks are pursued.

Selected articles - Australian Nursing & Midwifery Journal, August 2014

8.  Is it possible to have a work-life balance?
By Watson, Bron.
Australian Nursing & Midwifery Journal. Aug 2014, Vol. 22 Issue 2, p21-21. 1p.
Abstract: The article explores work-life balance (WLB) in nursing. The author argues that achieving a WLB is essential to nurses' health and well-being and discusses how nurses' can achieve a WLB on topics including the importance for nurses to reconnect to themselves and the reasons they became nurses, aligning WLB goals with work goals and intentions, and remembering that WLB is not about achieving an equal balance, but of enjoyment and achievement on a daily basis

9. Standing up for what’s right
By Douglas, Kara.
Australian Nursing & Midwifery Journal. Aug 2014, Vol. 22 Issue 2, p22-26. 5p
Abstract: The article discusses Australian Nursing & Midwifery Federation (ANMF) workplace representatives. Topics include the experiences of emergency department (ED) nurse and ANMF (Victorian Branch) job representative Ross Donaldson, registered nurse (RN) and worksite representative Robin Redden, and job representative trainer at the ANMF Victorian Branch, Melva Austin, in relation to staffing levels, hospital funding, and Enterprise Bargaining Agreements (EBAs) training.

10. Natural but not necessarily safe: Nursing ethical and legal considerations when administering herbal and dietary supplements in clinical practice.
By Old, Natasha.
Australian Nursing & Midwifery Journal. Aug 2014, Vol. 22 Issue 2, p28-29. 2p.
Abstract: The article discusses the ethical and legal considerations for Australian nurses when administering herbal and dietary supplements. Topics include the increased use of herbal supplements to treat chronic conditions, such as arthritis, and its impact on clinical decisions when administering them in conjunction with drugs, drugs that were originally discovered and derived from herbal sources, such as atropine, and a lack of knowledge and education about herbal supplements among nurses.

11. Enhanced recovery after surgery: promoting excellence in surgical oncology nursing care.
By  Console, Yvette; Heriot, Alexander; Riedel, Bernard; Christelis, Georgina.
Australian Nursing & Midwifery Journal. Aug 2014, Vol. 22 Issue 2, p33-34. 2p.
Abstract:  The article discusses the enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) perioperative care pathway in surgical oncology nursing care. According to the authors, the ERAS, which is an evidence-based approach to pre- and postoperative care, has reduced care times and postoperative complications since its inception in 2001. The ERAS program for colorectal, hepatobiliary, and upper gastrointestinal patients at the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre (PeterMac) in Melbourne, Australia is discussed.

12. Improving patient experience of robotic prostatectomy
By Birch, Emma; Schubach, Kathryn; Murphy, Declan.
Australian Nursing & Midwifery Journal. Aug 2014, Vol. 22 Issue 2, p40-41
Abstract: The article discusses a clinic at the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre (PeterMac) in Melbourne, Australia that prepares men and their partners for the potential impact of robotic prostatectomy (RB) on their physical and emotional wellbeing, focusing on staff and standard operation procedures (SOPs).

Journal - Table of Contents

13. From THE NEW ZEALAND MEDICAL JOURNAL, 15 August 2014
EDITORIAL
13A.  Charting progress in the battle against cancer [David C G Skegg]
ARTICLES
13B.  A comparison of cancer statistics in New Zealand and Australia: 1996–2007
By John Waldon, David S Lamb, Brett Delahunt, John N Nacey, Peter J Dady, Carol A Johnson, Alan G Hall, Peter B Bethwaite, Philip Weinstein
13C.  Cancer mortality and incidence trends comparing New Zealand and Australia for the period 2000–2007
By J Mark Elwood, Sally Ioannides, Lamees Alafeishat
13D.  Screening for pulmonary arterial hypertension in patients with scleroderma—a New Zealand perspective
By Sanjib K Ghosh, Michael M Corkill, Hamish H Hart, Kristine P Ng
13E.  Effect of age, gender, ethnicity, socioeconomic status and region on dispensing of CVD secondary prevention medication in New Zealand: The Atlas of Health Care Variation CVD cohort
By Andrew Kerr, Dan Exeter, Grant Hanham, Corina Grey, Jinfeng Zhao, Tania Riddell, Mildred Lee, Rod Jackson, Sue Wells
13F.  Construction and use of mapping techniques to describe the geographical distribution of medication dispensing for the secondary prevention of atherosclerotic CVD in New Zealand:
By Daniel J Exeter, Jinfeng Zhao, Grant Hanham, Corina Grey, Sue Wells, Andrew Kerr
13G.  Stakeholder engagement for the New Zealand Atlas of Healthcare Variation: cardiovascular disease secondary prevention: VIEW-3
By Corina Grey, Sue Wells, Daniel J Exeter, Grant Hanham, Jinfeng Zhao, Andrew J Kerr
Viewpoint
13H. Why are we failing with the epidemic of obesity and other chronic diseases? A further look at aetiopathogenesis
By William Ferguson
CLINICAL CORRESPONDENCE
13I. Cephalic tetanus complicating geriatric fall
By Josie McCabe, Tessa La Varis, Deborah Mason
13J.  Medical image. An unusual case of painful ophthalmoplegia
By Verona E Botha, Kay F Evans

Conference

14. NZ Cloud Computing
Date:  22 Oct, 2014
Venue:  Rendezvous Hotel, Auckland
More information:  http://www.conferenz.co.nz/conferences/nz-cloud-computing-conference
 

News - National

15. WHO: Ebola toll may 'vastly underestimate' crisis
NZ Herald - Friday Aug 15, 2014
MONROVIA, Liberia (AP) There is evidence the numbers of dead and sickened by Ebola in West Africa may "vastly underestimate the magnitude of the outbreak," the World Health Organization said Thursday. The U.N. health agency said it was prepared for the crisis to continue for months
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/world/news/article.cfm?c_id=2&objectid=11309121

16. New sleeping pill approved after lowering doses
By Anna Edney
NZ Herald - Friday Aug 15, 2014
Suvorexant, the chemical name for Belsomra, is designed to turn off wakefulness.
Merck & Co., the second-largest US drugmaker, has won approval to sell its treatment for insomnia that is viewed as a drug with fewer side effects than older pills such as Ambien
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/lifestyle/news/article.cfm?c_id=6&objectid=11309337

17. Better chance of surviving cancer in Australia than NZ
ONE News - Health Reporter Lorelei Mason
Published: 6:01AM Friday August 15, 2014
http://tvnz.co.nz/national-news/better-chance-surviving-cancer-in-australia-than-nz-6057648

News International

18. Surgeons may turn away high-risk patients over death rates, consultant warns
Leading consultant Stephen Westaby, writing in the BMJ, says publishing individual death rates could lead to self-preservation stratergies
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/health/11029591/Surgeons-may-turn-away-high-risk-patients-over-death-rates-consultant-warns.html