Welcome to the College of Nurses – News Update.
No. 127, Wednesday 31 October 2012
From NZ media this week
External review finds Nursing Council effective
An independent external review of the New Zealand Nursing Council has concluded that the Council is an effective regulator with strong leadership and a commitment to improve.
http://www.nursingcouncil.org.nz/index.cfm/1,271,0,0,html/Media-Release-23-October-2012-External-review-finds-Nursing-Council-effective
Workers hopeful of cross-party action on aged care issues
The New Zealand Nurses Organisation (NZNO) and the Service and Food Workers Union: Nga Ringa Tota (SFWU) are hopeful that quality care for older New Zealanders is a step closer today, after a successful select committee presentation.
http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1210/S00391/workers-hopeful-of-cross-party-action-on-aged-care-issues.htm
Nursing jobs hit by global downturn
Nursing is one of the most popular professions in the Philippines - for many, it's a passport out of poverty.
http://www.radionz.co.nz/news/world/118809/nursing-jobs-hit-by-global-downturn
Ongoing support announced for hospital chaplaincy services
Associate Minister of Health Jo Goodhew today confirmed that the 40 year partnership between the Ministry of Health and the Interchurch Council for Hospital Chaplaincy Trust would continue for a further three years from July 2013.
http://www.nzdoctor.co.nz/un-doctored/2012/october-2012/25/ongoing-support-announced-for-hospital-chaplaincy-services.aspx
Free after-hours ACC visits for under six-year-olds
ACC Minister Judith Collins announced today that free after-hours doctor's visits for under six-year-olds will be extended to visits covered by ACC.
http://www.nzdoctor.co.nz/un-doctored/2012/october-2012/24/free-after-hours-acc-visits-for-under-six-year-olds.aspx
Managers and nursing directors appointed
The Southern District Health Board has announced an all-female line-up to run new Otago-Southland combined clinical departments.
http://www.odt.co.nz/news/dunedin/231989/managers-and-nursing-directors-appointed
Scholarship winners passionate about Pacific health
Five students studying health were recently awarded 2012 scholarships at a ceremony in Christchurch. They join 27 other Pacific student recipients, who Pegasus has supported in meeting the cost of their studies in medicine, nursing and other health professions since the awards were introduced in 2005.
http://www.voxy.co.nz/health/scholarship-winners-passionate-about-pacific-health/5/139006
Concern changes to health Act will risk public safety
There's concern public safety will be at risk with the Government's review of the Act that regulates health professionals in New Zealand.
http://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/auckland/news/nbhea/1830024788-concern-changes-to-health-act-will-risk-public-safety
The Act protecting the safety of New Zealanders under threat: nurses say “no”!
The New Zealand Nurses Organisation (NZNO) is concerned that the Government is undertaking a sweeping review of the Act that regulates health professionals in New Zealand. The Health Practitioners Competence Assurance Act (HPCAA) sets in place independent Councils for the sole purpose of protecting the public from poor practice or conduct of health professionals.
http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/GE1210/S00115/safety-of-new-zealanders-under-threat-nurses-say-no.htm
Electronic systems to lift patient safety
A move towards e-health - gradually replacing paper systems with electronic ones - will be safer for patients, says Wairarapa DHB.
http://www.times-age.co.nz/news/electronic-systems-to-lift-patient-safety/1598910/
Coroner lashes out at suicide reporting rules
A coroner has launched a blistering attack on the rules governing the reporting of suicide and has implored the Government to change legislation in his findings into the deaths of five young Maori men and women from the Eastern Bay of Plenty.
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10843193
Turia 'shocked' at rise of Northland suicides
Maori Party co-leader calls for action after boy, 10, becomes latest Northland tragedy.
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10843554
International media
Cooks nursing school to reopen next year
A Cook Islands nursing training school, giving local nurses an international qualification, is set to open next year.
http://www.rnzi.com/pages/news.php?op=read&id=71828
The Family Doctor, Minus the M.D.
The Family Health Clinic of Carroll County, in Delphi, Ind., and itssmaller sibling about 40 minutes away in Monon provide full-service health care for about 10,000 people a year, most of them farmers or employees of the local pork production plant. About half the patients are Hispanic but there are also many German Baptist Brethren. Most of the patients are uninsured, and pay according to their income — the vast majority paying the $20 minimum charge for an appointment.
http://opinionator.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/10/24/the-family-doctor-minus-the-m-d/
Higher Nurse Workloads Increase Likelihood Of Death Among Older Surgical Patients
Older black patients are three times more likely than older white patients to suffer poorer outcomes after surgery, including death, when cared for by nurses with higher workloads, reports research from the University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing.
http://mnt.to/l/48NW
In Hospitals Known For Good Nursing Care, Patient Deaths After Surgery Decreased
Patients treated in magnet hospitals (specially designated for their nursing excellence) had 14 percent lower odds of death than those in non-magnet hospitals in a four-state study of 564 hospitals led by the University of..
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/releases/251879.php
Public health
Drug-resistant bugs move into the community
Antibiotic-resistant bacteria MRSA is moving out of the hospital and into the community. With the threat from superbugs resistant to treatment continuing to grow, health authorities are also working to combat a new, resistant strain of gonorrhoea
http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/health/7861041/Drug-resistant-bugs-move-into-the-community
20,000 children now saying ‘ahh’ to prevent rheumatic fever
20,000 New Zealand children at 125 schools are now saying 'ahh' as part of the Government's rheumatic fever prevention programme.
http://www.nzdoctor.co.nz/un-doctored/2012/october-2012/26/20,000-children-now-saying-%E2%80%98ahh%E2%80%99-to-prevent-rheumatic-fever.aspx
Calorie deterrent sought in booze bill
Hamilton Labour MP Sue Moroney reckons if young women knew how many calories there were in alcoholic drinks they might think twice before getting drunk.
http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/health/7848786/Calorie-deterrent-sought-in-booze-bill
Expert backs Moroney stance
A call by Hamilton-based Labour MP Sue Moroney for nutritional information on alcohol packaging has received professorial endorsement.
http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/7854375/Expert-backs-Moroney-stance
Article of interest
Engaging Nurses in Research Utilization (Online Only)Journal for Nurses in Staff Development
October 2012
Volume 28 Number 5
Pages E1 - E5Research skills education is needed for nurses at all levels: novice, intermediate, and advanced. Nurse educators can help novice nurse researchers develop skills such as performing literature searches and critiquing research articles, which are necessary to develop and update clinical practice guidelines and implement evidence-based practice. The purpose of this article is to describe an innovative approach to encourage nurses to perform literature searches and critique research articles as a means to eventually engage in evidence-based practice.
http://www.nursingcenter.com/evidencebasedpracticenetwork/JournalArticle.aspx?Article_ID=1431374&utm_source=WhatCountsEmail&utm_medium=EBP%20Insider&utm_campaign=EBP%20Insider:%20%20October%202012
New publications
Writing for Publication in Nursing and Healthcare: Getting it Right
ISBN: 978-0-470-65782-9
Paperback286 pages
September 2012, Wiley-Blackwell
Writing for Publication in Nursing and Healthcare is an invaluable guide to ‘getting it right’, focusing on all aspects of writing for publication. It will help the reader to develop skills in writing articles, book reviews and other forms of publications, and can also be used as an aide-memoir for editors and journal/book reviewers.It explores:How to get startedHow to write various forms of publication including abstracts, papers, book reviews, journal articles and booksGood practice in reviewingThe editorial processEthical and legal aspects of publishingOffering guidance, tips, examples and activities, this practical ‘how-to’ book written by experts in the field will be essential reading for all nurses and health care professionals.
http://dmmsclick.wiley.com/click.asp?p=13380267&m=64775&u=1715179
RCN publications
The role of a link nurse in infection prevention and control (IPC): developing a link nurse framework (PDF 232.9 KB)
Link nurses (LNs) are commonly used to support many areas of specialist nursing practice within the UK. Practice areas which utilise LNs include diabetes, tissue viability, pain, nutrition and infection prevention and control (IPC). The RCN recognises the importance and popularity of LN systems in supporting clinical nurse specialists and IPC teams. This document forms part of a series of resources to support LNs, specialist teams, and managers who may be using or considering a LN system and specifically outlines the benefits of implementing LN roles for IPC. It describes the development of a role framework and associated competences in this area, based on the contribution of specialist infection control nurses and practising/aspiring LNs. Although this work has originated from, and uses, IPC examples, the principles of this work are relevant to LNs working in all specialties and a generic role framework has been provided for reference and adaptation (see Appendix 1).
http://www.rcn.org.uk/__data/assets/pdf_file/0006/481515/004310.pdf
Starting injectible treatment in adults with Type 2 diabetes: RCN guidance (PDF 723.1 KB)
Publication code: 002 254Publication date: 1 October 2012ISBN: 978-1-908782-11-3
Abstract:Novo Nordisk provided an unrestricted educational grant to support the production of this publication. More than 90 per cent of people with diabetes have Type 2 diabetes and the introduction of GLP 1 therapies in recent years has further increased the challenge of identifying the appropriate injectable therapy for patients, and how to explain that decision to the individual with diabetes. This new edition provides information relating to GLP 1 therapy action, including the implications for use and the aspects of education that need to be addressed with users. This guidance is intended for nurses new to insulin therapy, and includes an overview of the underlying principles for starting insulin along with practical tips on education, adjustment of doses, and dealing with difficult situations.
http://www.rcn.org.uk/__data/assets/pdf_file/0009/78606/002254.pdf
A shift in the right direction: RCN guidance (PDF 728.0 KB)
Publication code: 004 285Publication date: 4 October 2012ISBN: 978-1-908782-22-9
Abstract:The reality of 24-hour health care delivery means many health care workers are required to work shifts. The health and safety impacts of shift work are widely recognised. Long hours, fatigue and lack of rest breaks or time to recuperate between shifts are associated with an increased risk of errors. In addition, long-term exposure to shift work, particularly night shifts, has been associated with a whole range of health issues for workers ranging from gastrointestinal problems, cardiovascular problems and an increased susceptibility to minor illnesses such as colds. This publication is primarily aimed at RCN safety representatives to assist them in their work with employers to protect members and patients from the negative impacts of shift working. It is also a useful resource for health care managers or specialist advisers responsible for managing shift systems or supporting the health, safety and wellbeing of health care workers. Ideally, this publication should be read in conjunction with the RCN’s Spinning plates, guidance on flexible working. There are two versions of A shift in the right direction available, full length version, publication code 004 285 and short version, publication code 004 286.
http://www.rcn.org.uk/__data/assets/pdf_file/0004/479434/004285.pdf
Ward rounds in medicine: Principles for best practice (PDF 1.8 MB)
Publication code: 004342Publication date: 3 October 2012ISBN:
Abstract:The Royal College of Nursing and the Royal College of Physicians are united in calling for ward rounds to be made the cornerstone of patient care. Medical ward rounds are complex clinical activities, critical to providing high-quality, safe care for patients in a timely, relevant manner. They have often been a neglected part of the planning and organisation of inpatient care. The current pressures of capacity and staffing levels mean that ward rounds happen while nurses, for example, are engaged in constant care delivery. The principles in the statement aim to address the common problems affecting the prominence of ward rounds and provide recommendations. Reinstating ward rounds will facilitate the delivery of compassionate care, enabling doctors and nurses to plan for care jointly.http://www.rcn.org.uk/__data/assets/pdf_file/0007/479329/004342.pdf
Online resources
Resources available to prevent suicide in seniors
Of all Canadian age groups, seniors have the highest rate of suicide and this number is expected to rise even further as baby boomers age. The October online issue of the Canadian Medical Association Journal contains an early release article titled, "Senior Suicide: The tricky task of treatment" which outlines some of the resources available to help health professionals identify and prevent suicide in seniors.
http://www.ontario.cmha.ca/mental_health_notes_story.asp?cID=1643395
The above information has been collated for the College of Nurses Aotearoa (NZ) Inc by Linda Stopforth, SNIPS, and is provided on a weekly basis. It is current as at Tuesday 30 October 2012
If you have any feedback about content - what parts are most useful or what you would like added - please email admin@nurse.org.nz
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