Articles – Nursing Standard (RCN)

1. Pressure rises in care home sector
Nursing Standard, 18 January 2017. 31, 21: 18-21.
Abstract: Nursing homes can offer rewarding career roles and create innovative partnerships with NHS teams. But poor funding, staff shortages and negative inspections mean many homes are in crisis. There are more beds in nursing and care homes than in NHS hospitals, yet it is only when things go wrong that the importance of the care sector is brought home to us.

2. This diagnosis can be extremely scary’
Tamsin Newton-Snow
Nursing Standard, 18 January 2017. 31, 21: 22-24
Abstract: Carolyn Redman is one of a handful of nurses caring for patients with the rare genetic disorder neurofibromatosis type 2, which affects the nervous system. Neurofibromatosis type 2 (NF2) is a rare genetic disorder that occurs in an estimated one in 35,000 people. The condition is often life-limiting and involves tumours growing on the nervous system, typically on the hearing nerves, brain and spine. While the tumours are mainly benign, they can lead to hearing loss, deafness and problems with balance and mobility.

3. Staying enthusiastic after years in nursing
Mandy Day-Calder
Nursing Standard, 18 January 2017. 31, 21: 35-36
Abstract: Maintaining motivation can be challenging after decades in the profession. Here’s how to make maturity an advantage

4. Exploring how mindfulness and self-compassion can enhance compassionate care
Caroline Barratt Lecturer. University of Essex, Colchester, England
Correspondence to: barrattc@essex.ac.ukgwen.clarke@rcni.com
Nursing Standard, 18 January 2017. 31, 21: 55-63
Abstract: Research suggests that the development of mindfulness and self-compassion may help to improve the well-being and resilience of professionals and students in the healthcare setting. This is reflected in the growth of mindfulness training for these individuals. Mindfulness is an important aspect of self-compassion, and healthcare professionals should be aware of the need to care for themselves when caring for others

5. Take the lead and get involved in research
Elisabeth Jelfs, Former director of the Council of Deans of Health.
Nursing Standard. 31, 20: 35-36
Abstract: Trends in health and social care are changing how care is delivered. This is creating new roles for nurses, who are needed to supervise and coordinate work in many settings, including hospitals, care homes and the community.

6. Measuring peak expiratory flow rate: what the nurse needs to know
Rebecca Myatt, Nurse case manager (thoracic surgery). Guy’s Hospital, Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust, London, England
Correspondence to: Rebecca.Myatt@gstt.nhs.ukinvestigations@rcni.com
Nursing Standard. 31, 20: 40-44
Abstract: This article provides information on monitoring a patient’s peak expiratory flow rate. It explains the rationale for measuring the peak expiratory flow rate, provides guidance for nurses to undertake this investigation and offers advice on how to instruct patients in the use of this technique.

Articles – Social Media and Nurses

7. International perspectives on social media guidance for nurses: a content analysis
Gemma Ryan Senior lecturer in health and social care (nursing). University of Derby, University of Derby Online Learning, Derby. Correspondence to: g.ryan@derby.ac.uk
Nursing Management. 23, 8: 28-35
Abstract: This article reports the results of an analysis of the content of national and international professional guidance on social media for the nursing profession. The aim was to consolidate good practice examples of social media guidelines, and inform the development of comprehensive guidance

8. How anxiety about communication affects the role of nurse leaders in international social networks
David Benton and Stephanie Ferguson discuss how a specific personality trait can influence nurses’ abilities to build professional relationships
David Benton, Chief executive officer. National Council of State Boards of Nursing, Chicago, Illinois
Stephanie Ferguson, Consulting associate professor. Stanford University, Washington Correspondence to: dcbenton.swiss@gmail.com
Nursing Management. 23, 2: 30-37
Abstract: Social network analysis examines the way individuals are connected within groups or networks, and the role they play in these groups. In terms of its application to issues related to nurse leaders, much of the research focuses on the structure of their networks, the roles they play, and whether the networks can be changed to improve communication flows. This article reports results of a study that aimed to deepen understanding of how a particular trait – communication apprehension – can affect the roles that nurse leaders play within network structures

9. Social network of an internationally connected nurse leader
David Benton analyses how he uses social media site LinkedIn to identify untapped resources and potential professional connections
David Benton, Chief executive officer. National Council of State Boards of Nursing, Chicago, Illinois
Correspondence to: dcbenton.swiss@gmail.com
Nursing Management. 22, 10: 32-36
Abstract: Over the past decade, there has been a proliferation of social media sites offering the opportunity for colleagues to connect with each other locally, nationally and internationally. Meanwhile, nurses have been increasingly using social network analytical techniques to look at team functioning and communication pathways. This article uses the author’s LinkedIn social network to illustrate how analysis can offer insights into the connections, and how the results can be used to professional advantage

Articles – Handovers

10. Nurses discuss bedside handover and using written handover sheets 
By Johnson, Maree; Cowin, Leanne S.
Journal of Nursing Management. Jan 2013, Vol. 21 Issue 1, p121-129. 9p
Abstract: The analysis of nursing errors in clinical management highlighted that clinical handover plays a pivotal role in patient safety. Changes to handover including conducting handover at the bedside and the use of written handover summary sheets were subsequently implemented. The aim of the study was to explore nurses' perspectives on the introduction of bedside handover and the use of written handover sheets.

11. Exploring the structure and organization of information within nursing clinical handovers 
By Johnson, Maree; Jefferies, Diana; Nicholls, Daniel.
International Journal of Nursing Practice. Oct 2012, Vol. 18 Issue 5, p462-470. 9p
Abstract: Clinical handover is the primary source of patient information for nurses; however, inadequate information transfer compromises patient safety. We investigated the content and organization of information conveyed at 81 handovers. A structure that captures and presents the information transferred at handover emerged: identification of the patient and clinical risks, clinical history/presentation, clinical status, care plan and outcomes/goals of care ( ICCCO).

12. Developing a minimum data set for electronic nursing handover 
By Johnson, Maree; Jefferies, Diana; Nicholls, Daniel.
Journal of Clinical Nursing. Feb 2012, Vol. 21 Issue 3/4, p331-343. 13p.
Abstract: This study presents a minimum data set designed for an electronic system to complement verbal nursing handover. Poor communication of patient information at handover has been implicated in adverse events with changes to clinical handover being proposed as a solution. This study developed a minimum data set for an electronic patient summary tool.

13. Communication at the bedside to enhance patient care: A survey of nurses' experience and perspective of handover 
By Eustace, Paula; Livingston, Patricia M.; Craike, Melinda J.; Kent, Bridie; Patterson, Denise; Street, Maryann.
International Journal of Nursing Practice. Apr 2011, Vol. 17 Issue 2, p133-140. 8p
Abstract: The aims of this study were to identify the strengths and limitations in current practice of nursing clinical handover and implement a new bedside handover process. A total of 259 nurses completed a cross-sectional survey at change of shift on 1 day, which was followed by an audit of the pilot implementation of bedside handover. The survey results showed great variation in the duration, location and method of handover with significant differences in the experience of nurses employed part-time compared with full-time.

14. Medication communication during handover interactions in specialty practice settings 
By Braaf, Sandra; Rixon, Sascha; Williams, Allison; Liew, Danny; Manias, Elizabeth.
Journal of Clinical Nursing. Oct 2015, Vol. 24 Issue 19/20, p2859-2870. 12p
Abstract: To investigate what and how medication information is communicated during handover interactions in specialty hospital settings. Background Effective communication about patients' medications between health professionals and nurses at handover is vital for the delivery of safe continuity of care.

15. Comparing nursing handover and documentation: forming one set of patient information 
By Johnson, M.; Sanchez, P.; Suominen, H.; Basilakis, J.; Dawson, L.; Kelly, B.; Hanlen, L.
International Nursing Review. Mar 2014, Vol. 61 Issue 1, p73-81. 9p
Abstract: The aim of this study was to explore the potential for one set of patient information for nursing handover and documentation. Background Communication of patient information requires two processes in nursing: a verbal summary of the patients' care and another report within the nursing notes, creating duplication. Introduction Advances in speech recognition technology have provided an opportunity to consider the practicality of one set of information at the nursing end-of-shift.

Journal – Table of Contents

From Primary Health Care, December 2016, Volume 26, Number 10

16A. Editorial: Why a career in general practice is a rich and valuable one 16B.  News: Practice nursing career seen as a ‘risky choice’; Mind highlights education shortfall; Online i\’signpost’ resource launched; Respiratory support training for infants in the community ‘inadequate’ says CQC report 16C. News Analysis: No place like homecare [Middlesbrough’s MacMillan breast cancer support outreach service] 16D. News Clinical Update: harmful sexual behaviour 16E. News Journal Scan: Self-management for patients with long-term conditions; Full contraception range improves accessibility; Support needed to help families involved in domestic violence 16F. News Research Focus: Cross-sectional associations between high-deprivation home and neighbourhood environments, and health-related variables among Liverpool children; Clinical use of sensory gardens and outdoor environments in Norwegian nursing homes: a cross-sectional e-mail survey; School gardens and adolescent nutrition and BMI: results from a national, multilevel study 16G. Opinion: Leading care for older carers 16H. Who’s caring? Repeat medication checks should not fall on the shoulders of healthcare assistants 16I. Careers: You can be working at band 5 level, but still be a leader 16J. Womens health matters [Winner of RCN Northern Ireland Practice Nurse Award – Margaret Kerr 16K. Leading by example [Are mentoring schemes the best way to combat the future shortfall of nurses working in general practice] 16L. Workforce Planning: Developing sustainable placements: nursing students in general practice 16M. Improving the physical health assessment of people with serious mental illness 16N. ‘Ghost’ stories: sociocultural factors influencing tuberculosis treatment adherence in Ghana 16O. Assessing a patient with a common dermatological problem [Includes self-assessment questionnaire] 16P. Contributing to the journal: Writing guidelines

Conferences/Symposiums

17. 2017 Goodfellow Symposium
Programme includes: Acceptance and committment therapy, The medical marijuana debate
March 2017
24th - Pre Symposium (Fri)
25th - Day 1 (Sat)
26th - Day 2 (Sun)
Venue: Vodafone Event Centre
More information: http://www.goodfellowunit.org/symposium/programme

18. Optimising patient experience through digital innovation conference
Providers are faced with problems such as:
- How can technology enable a positive return on investment and improvement in consumer perception of an organisation?
- How can all of this new technology impact upon the patient experience?
Date: 27 - 28 Feb 2017
Venue: Stamford Plaza, Auckland
More information: https://www.conferenz.co.nz/events/optimising-patient-experience-through-digital-innovation

News - National

19. Food industry holds sway over public policy: study
ODT - Tuesday, 24 January 2017
The food industry in Australia and New Zealand has managed to hold off near-universal calls from public health experts for government to crack down on junk food and sugar through its influential lobbying tactics, says the co-author of an Australian study. The study, published in the Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health, interviewed "high-level people, including former politicians and civil servants with first-hand experience of these corporate activities," said University of Auckland's Boyd Swinburn, in a media release.
https://www.odt.co.nz/news/national/food-industry-holds-sway-over-public-policy-study

20. Record number of organ donations encouraging
Beehive Press Release - 22 January, 2017
Health Minister Jonathan Coleman says efforts to increase our deceased organ donations and transplant rates have resulted in a record number being carried out in 2016. Organ Donation New Zealand figures show there were a total of 61 deceased organ donors in 2016, a 69 per cent increase over the past four years.
https://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/record-number-organ-donations-encouraging

News – International

21. Sickening, gruelling or frightful
Suffering is difficult to describe and impossible to see. So how can doctors tell how much it hurts?
The McGill pain questionnaire - Developed in the 1970s by two scientists, Dr Ronald Melzack and Dr Warren Torgerson, both of McGill University in Montreal, it is still the main tool for measuring pain in clinics worldwide.
https://www.theguardian.com/science/2017/jan/25/how-doctors-measure-pain