From NZ media this week
Nurses-exclusion-from-team-panned
The exclusion of senior nurses from MidCentral District Health Board's leadership team has riled hospital staff.
http://www.stuff.co.nz/manawatu-standard/news/5282859/Nurses-exclusion-from-team-panned
20/20 Nursing our shame (video)
Follows two Waikato nurses over a weekend on nightshift in A and E
http://tvnz.co.nz/20-20-news/nursing-our-shame-12-42-video-4305689
New bill on way to widen RN prescribing
A new bill upping nurse practitioners’ prescribing status and creating “delegated prescribing” status for registered nurses is being welcomed.
http://www.nursingreview.co.nz/pages/section/article.php?s=News+Feed&idArticle=21556
Questions raised over proposed “delegated prescribing”
The proposed bill is good news but some nurse leaders are wary about the proposed “delegated prescriber” category for registered nurses, says nursing leader Jenny Carryer
http://www.nursingreview.co.nz/pages/section/article.php?s=News+Feed&idArticle=21555
Graduate survey results indicate most in jobs
More than 85 per cent of new graduates are working as nurses but fewer than usual are signed up to new graduate programmes, an annual destinations survey indicates.
http://www.nursingreview.co.nz/pages/section/article.php?s=News&idArticle=21527
ED violence prompts alcohol reform call
The latest research into alcohol-fuelled violence at emergency departments is another example of the urgent need for alcohol reform, says College of Mental Health Nurses president Daryle Deering.
http://www.nursingreview.co.nz/pages/section/article.php?s=News&idArticle=21533
DHB against hiring people who smoke
Auckland District Health Board is considering refusing to hire smokers.
http://www.radionz.co.nz/news/national/79975/dhb-against-hiring-people-who-smoke
Nurses-get-in-on-smokefree-debate
Nurses are weighing into the smokefree debate, calling on other district health boards to follow Auckland's lead and consider not hiring smokers.
http://www.stuff.co.nz/manawatu-standard/news/5295874/Nurses-get-in-on-smokefree-debate
Money-for-health-aid
MidCentral District Health Board has pumped $120,000 into expanding a Shared Care Programme for people with severe mental illness – a move the Central Primary Health Organisation has described as an "excellent development".
http://www.stuff.co.nz/manawatu-standard/news/5277328/Money-for-health-aid
Nurse-off-register-for-stealing
A registered nurse who stole money and jewellery from residents of a Hamilton rest home has been struck off and ordered to pay costs of $2000.
http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/crime/5271946/Nurse-off-register-for-stealing
Maori health is every health worker’s business
Hon Tariana Turia
Associate Minister of Health
When I received the invitation from Associate Professor Papaarangi Reid to join with you in the events of this week I was delighted to do so on three counts.
http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA1107/S00185/maori-health-is-every-health-workers-business.htm
Nzma-calls-for-action-to-improve-health-equity
The NZMA is taking a leadership role and bringing together representatives from across health, the government sector and wider community to discuss the way forward to reduce New Zealand's unacceptable health inequities
http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/GE1107/S00048/nzma-calls-for-action-to-improve-health-equity.htm
Suicide-not-just-a-youth-issue
Elderly suicides could be "slipping under the radar", and support workers are trying to raise awareness about an issue they say could get worse as the number of older people grows.
http://www.stuff.co.nz/nelson-mail/news/5300807/Suicide-not-just-a-youth-issue
DHB found to have breach code over mental patient's death
Nelson-Marlborough District Health Board (DHB) has been censured after a 64-year-old mental health patient died after receiving an overdose of medication.
http://www.odt.co.nz/news/national/169682/dhb-found-have-breach-code-over-mental-patients-death
Barriers to Good Health Outcomes for Refugees
In May 2011, ChangeMakers ran focus groups to identify the barriers to achieving and maintaining good health outcomes in refugee-background communities.
One of the barriers identified in the research was limited English language skills and issues around the use of interpreters. If you are unsure about who can request an interpreter and the differences between using a trained and untrained interpreter please go to Interpreting NZ website. Information about interpreters is available in a number of languages.
To find out more about this research and the recommendations communities made to address poor health outcomes visit the ChangeMakers Refugee Forum website or send an email to info@crf.org.nz
Hospital apologises over death of student
Auckland health authorities have publicly apologised to the family of a 22-year-old man who died in hospital from meningococcal disease.
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10739378
First nurse practitioner in NMDHB
Sue Dawkins from Murchison has become the first registered nurse practitioner in the Nelson Marlborough District Health Board (NMDHB).
http://www.voxy.co.nz/health/first-nurse-practitioner-nmdhb/5/94971
Future focus on community health
The health sector has among the most dire skill shortages in New Zealand, with Maori and Pacific Island communities hit the hardest. But, this year, the first health students will graduate from a relatively new education partnership dedicated to Counties Manukau.
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/health/news/article.cfm?c_id=204&objectid=10738194
From international media sources
Nurse Retention Strategies a Growing Priority
Hospital leaders may be able to reduce a looming exodus by adopting strategies that address the needs of nurses who might otherwise retire or seek a new job. Among those that should be considered are flexible scheduling and allowing some work to be done at home, said Marcia Donlon, a registered nurse and hospital executive in Manitowoc, Wis. Nurses should also discover their job potential and try new roles, Donlon says. "We as nurses trap ourselves, sometimes saying 'I've worked on Med/Surg for 20 years; what else can I do?' But there are so many things we can do."
http://www.healthleadersmedia.com/content/HR-268421/Nurse-Retention-Strategies-a-Growing-Priority
Transforming Nursing Practice through Technology & Informatics
The HIMSS Board of Directors approved this position statement describing how to transform nursing practice through technology and informatics
http://press.himss.org/article_display.cfm?article_id=5334&instance_code=HIMSS&view_id=5384
Facebook friends a no-no for doctors
BMA warns doctors against interacting with patients on social networking sites to prevent blurring of professional boundaries
http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2011/jul/14/facebook-doctor-patient
Study backs nurse case management
PRACTICE nurses acting as case managers under the guidance of GPs can improve health outcomes for chronically ill patients with depression, an Australian study suggests.
http://www.medicalobserver.com.au/news/study-backs-nurse-case-management
ENA-led group proposes standardized ED metrics
The ANA, the Emergency Nurses Association and seven other health care associations signed a consensus statement aimed at standardizing emergency department metrics that include definitions of arrival, triage and offload times. Organizations have long measured ED use, but the groups say the new, common metrics can yield more useful information in the hunt for solutions to crowding, leading to better care for patients and safer work environments for providers.
http://news.nurse.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2011107180025
California Nurse Staffing
In a comprehensive analysis comparing nurse staffing in California hospitals to similar hospitals in the U.S. over nearly a decade, researchers at the University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing have found that controversial legislation setting nurse-to-patient ratios added more registered nurses to the hospital staffing mix, not fewer as feared.
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/releases/231202.php
Nursing workforce could shrink by 100,000 over next decade
The NHS nursing workforce could crash by up to 100,000 over the next decade due to a combination of spiralling cuts to posts, falling student places and a retirement bubble, academics have warned.
http://www.nursingtimes.net/5032641.article?referrer=e1
Senior nurse blames ward sister rotas for poor standards
Ward sisters at a hospital criticised by the Care Quality Commission are forced to spend 40% of their time on bureaucracy, an independent review has found.
http://www.nursingtimes.net/5032189.article?referrer=e1
Public health
NZ-well-behind-8-ball-in-nutrition
A nutrition researcher says the Health Ministry is not promoting enough fruit and vegetables in our diets compared with other countries.
http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/health/5296249/NZ-well-behind-8-ball-in-nutrition
Measles outbreak showing no signs of abating
The largest outbreak of measles in Auckland in over a decade is showing no signs of abating, with new cases being reported daily and a risk of it spreading elsewhere as families go away for the school holidays.
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10739302
Health and wellbeing
Coping skills
Many things cause stress in daily life, but there are lots of ways you can help yourself to cope.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/health/emotional_health/mental_health/coping_skills.shtml
Coping-with-job-burnout
OPINION: Job burnout has been around forever as an issue but with longer hours, increased stress and job insecurity, it's become worse.
http://www.stuff.co.nz/business/opinion/5290120/Coping-with-job-burnout
Reports online
Navigating through mental health services: perspectives and priorities of family members and mental health services staff
Boyd, L., & Sigglekow, L. (2011, July). Wellington: Families Commission.
This research took place within Nelson Marlborough District Health Board (NMDHB), Mental Health Services. To maximise the participation of family members and mental health service staff members, the research used participatory action research methodology and mostly qualitative methods. This document reports and compares the perspectives of family members and the staff members who work with them, and shows how these perspectives sit with policy documents that are focused on families.
http://www.familiescommission.govt.nz/research/health-and-illness/navigating-through-mental-health-services
Websites of interest
WELCOME TO THE NZIRH WEBSITEThe New Zealand Institute of Rural Health is a Charitable Trust established in May 2001.The New Zealand Institute of Rural Health works with communities, providers and purchasers to improve the health status of rurally-based people as a priority in the following areas:
Resources online
Autism living guideline work
(2011). NZ: New Zealand Guidelines Group.
Website (click on e-booklets).
Two new papers related to autism, the first provides supplementary evidence-based guidance on the use of aripiprazole, citalopram and melatonin, and the second is a review of diagnostic instruments. The Living Guideline Group will next be focusing on recommendations to do with employment for people with lived experience of autism.
http://www.asdguideline.com/
Articles of interest
The ward atmosphere important for the psychosocial work environment of nursing staff in psychiatric in-patient care
Tuvesson H, Wann-Hansson C, & Eklund M. (2011, 16 June). BMC Nursing, 10:12 (16 June 2011)
The results from the present study indicate that several ward atmosphere subscales were related to nursing staff’s perceptions of the psychosocial work environment in terms of empowering leadership, role clarity and organizational climate.
http://www.biomedcentral.com/content/pdf/1472-6955-10-12.pdf
Nursing Students and Gluteal Intramuscular Injection
This study indicates some nursing students lack knowledge surrounding correct placement of intramuscular injections. It also indicates some students have a lack of theoretical knowledge about safe injection practice with gluteal injections and highlights the importance of checking student technique prior to clinical placement.
http://www.amj.net.au/index.php?journal=AMJ&page=article&op=viewFile&path%5B%5D=764&path%5B%5D=794
ED violence: Occupational hazard?
Nursing Management:
July 2011 - Volume 42 - Issue 7 - p 28–32
Workplace violence is an occupational hazard for hospital staff providing psychiatric care in hospital EDs. Nursing students specialize in emergency medicine to treat diverse medical issues in an exciting, fast-paced environment, but are unprepared to encounter verbal threats and physical assaults.
http://journals.lww.com/nursingmanagement/Fulltext/2011/07000/ED_violence__Occupational_hazard_.7.aspx
The Importance of Psychosocial Care and How Nurses Can Provide It
Providing physical care to patients is an essential and yet also a natural part of a nurses job. Providing psychosocial care enables the nurse to treat the patient more holistically, although some confusion may exist over what psychosocial care is, and how it can be delivered.e Australian Journal of Advanced Nursing recently published an article that defined psychosocial care and addressed how nurses can better provide it to adult oncology patients. Cancer is often defined as a chronic disease and the principles espoused in the article may also be relevant for other nursing areas.http://bit.ly/nvlxZq
Educational needs of practice nurses in mental health
Prince, A & Nelson, K. (2011). Journal of Primary Health Care, 3(2), 142-149.
This study provides information about the extent of mental health activities undertaken by practice nurses and identifies their educational needs.
http://www.rnzcgp.org.nz/assets/documents/Publications/JPHC/June-2011/JPHCOSPPrinceJune2011.pdf
The Team Leader Model: an alternative to preceptorship
To improve the clinical practice environment for student nurses through an increased understanding of the relationships and of the situations in which that practice occurs.
http://www.ajan.com.au/Vol28/28-3_Russell.pdf
From the Ministry of Health
Smoke-free Environments (Controls and Enforcement) Amendment Bill 2010 (Supplementary Order Paper No 257)
PurposeThe aim of the Bill is to amend the Smoke-free Environments Act 1990 (the Act) to prohibit the display of tobacco products in or at the exterior of retail and other sales outlets and to “tighten up tobacco controls and enforcement [1] .
The Bill as introduced is described in Bills Digest No 1831.
The Bill as reported by the Select Committee is described in Bills Digest No 1868.
“This Supplementary Order Paper amends the Smoke-free Environments (Controls and Enforcement) Amendment Bill so as to introduce a registration requirement for the sale of tobacco” [2]
http://bit.ly/ol5Ome
Tatau Kura Tangata: Health of Older Māori Chart Book 2011:
Overview Spinning Wheel
Date of publication: June 2011
Summary of publication
The Overview Wheel provides selected indicators from Tatau Kura Tangata: Health of Older Maori Chart Book 2011 and covers demographics; socioeconomic determinants of health; risk and protective factors; and health status indicators for 50-64 and 65+ year olds.
This spinning wheel is an innovative way of disseminating information contained in this publication. Selected indicators are provided in a easy-to-use and compact format for DHBs, Health practitioners, iwi providers, government departments, universities, students and the general population.
http://www.moh.govt.nz/moh.nsf/indexmh/tatau-kura-tangata-spinning-wheel
Conferences and hui
Community and Primary Health Care
Nursing Conference 2011
Leading the way to local care
The Community and Primary Health Care Nursing Conference (CPHCNC) aims to profile nurses and midwives working at the forefront of community and primary health care and across all primary health care settings. More importantly, the conference will reach those leading the way, bringing a diversity of care that is unique from other professions in primary health care.
Leading the way to local care will bring together nurses working across the many areas of community and primary health care to examine opportunities in the delivery of primary health care.
The RCNA invites you to submit an abstract for the 2011 CPHCNC, to be held in Hobart, Tasmania from 19 – 21 October 2011.
http://www.rcna.org.au/conferences/cphcnc/welcome
Registrations are now open for our 2011 National Suicide Prevention Conference: How do we talk about suicide?
Ko te reo, he tapu. Ko te reo, he rongoa. Ko te reo, he mana motuhake.
Wednesday 7 September, TelstraClear Pacific Events Centre, Manukau City, Auckland, cost $65.The conference programme will give you more details. We have a great line up of speakers including key notes Normand D'Aragon from Quebec and Stephanie Bell from Australia.
Spaces at this annual event fill up fast, so make sure you secure your place today using our quick and easy online registration and payment process.
We're looking forward to seeing you there in September!
http://bit.ly/mQfeML
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