Welcome to the College of Nurses – News Update.
No. 128, Wednesday 7 November 2012
From NZ media this week
Lack of NZ jobs for new nurses
Nursing graduates face a likely shortage of jobs, but New Zealand is not training too many nurses, industry leaders agree.
http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/health/7882129/Lack-of-NZ-jobs-for-new-nurses
Productive Wards roll-out impresses UK nursing chiefs
Visiting British nursing chiefs are impressed with the roll-out of their hospital productivity programme at the Waikato District Health Board.
http://www.voxy.co.nz/health/productive-wards-roll-out-impresses-uk-nursing-chiefs/5/139178
Private hospital funding risky: Labour
The Labour Party has slammed plans by Northland District Health Board to look at private funding for a new multi-million dollar building at Whangarei Hospital, saying taxpayers will be left with a lingering debt if the deal goes sour.
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10844345
Bullying and workload top DHB's survey list
Bullying, workloads and staffing levels are among concerns raised in a survey of MidCentral District Health Board staff.
http://www.stuff.co.nz/manawatu-standard/news/7898513/Bullying-and-workload-top-DHBs-survey-list
Quake efforts of hospitals praised
The resilience of Canterbury's health system after the earthquakes has been put under the spotlight to help other cities cope after a disaster.
http://www.stuff.co.nz/the-press/news/7901519/Quake-efforts-of-hospitals-praised
Kaitaia Emergency Department tackling alcohol-related harm
Alcohol fuelled assault, falls and vehicle crashes place additional strain on an already stretched Kaitaia Emergency Department.
http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/GE1211/S00002/kaitaia-emergency-department-tackling-alcohol-related-harm.htm
Otago University research supports extended care paramedic model in Kapiti
New research from Otago University has revealed that sending extended care paramedics to emergency ambulance visits dramatically cuts the number of patients going to hospital.
http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/GE1210/S00121/research-supports-extended-care-paramedic-model-in-kapiti.htm
Cross-party support for Natural Health Products Bill
The Natural Health Products Bill has been reported back to Parliament with the support of all parties on the Health Select Committee.
http://www.nzdoctor.co.nz/un-doctored/2012/october-2012/31/cross-party-support-for-natural-health-products-bill.aspx
Disparity in hospital waiting lists
The number of patients waiting for skin cancer surgery at Dunedin Hospital increased 64 per cent in the past year, while Southland Hospital halved its waiting list for the procedure, figures show.
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/health/news/article.cfm?c_id=204&objectid=10844066
International media
Holding Memories
ospice nurse photographs the hands of patients to provide their families with a lasting keepsakeAcouple of years ago, hospice nurse Mary Landberg started using her iPhone to snap photos of people in their final days, texting them to kinfolk scattered around the country, and many, unable to make the farewell trip to Oregon, expressed profound gratitude for the memories.
http://www.mailtribune.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20121029/NEWS/210290308
Cooks nursing school to help outer island care
The Secretary of Health on the Cook Islands hopes the re-opening of a nursing school in Rarotonga will help solve a shortage of nurses on the outer islands.
http://www.rnzi.com/pages/news.php?op=read&id=71919
'Nurses will take a strong role in service design', says Dr Dan Poulter
Interview: minister Dr Dan Poulter was inspired early on by nurse leaders. He talks to Steve Ford about good care, bad culture and the future of NHS nurses.
http://www.nursingtimes.net/5051184.article?referrer=e1
Mandatory flu vaccine for health care workers to protect patients
All health care workers in health care institutions should be vaccinated with the annual influenza vaccine to protect patients, argues an editorial inCMAJ (Canadian Medical Association Journal)
http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2012-10/cmaj-mfv102312.php
N.Y. hospital staff carry sick babies down 9 flights of stairs during evacuation
CNN) -- At times with only flashlights to illuminate the way, NYU Langone Medical Center began evacuating about 260 patients, carrying some of them down 15 flights of stairs to ambulances ready to take them to the safety of other hospitals.
http://bit.ly/YDaPqa
Rotation scheme for newly qualifieds
(Registration required)
A rotation scheme to give newly-qualified nurses a greater variety of experience has been started by Norfolk and Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust.
http://www.nursingtimes.net/5051354.article?referrer=e1
Government to beef up rules on Liverpool Care Pathway
(registration required)
New commitments on end-of-life care and single-sex wards are set to be included in the NHS Constitution, under proposals unveiled today.
http://www.nursingtimes.net/5051425.article?referrer=e1
Quality of patient care has declined, say nurses
(Registration required)
One in three nurses believes the quality of patient care has declined in the last year, research suggests.
http://www.nursingtimes.net/5051268.article?referrer=e10
Nurses warned to record concerns about workload risks
(registration required)
Nurses have been warned to document their concerns on workload and workforce shortages in the wake of “worrying” results from a major union survey.
http://www.nursingtimes.net/5051388.article?referrer=e1
Public health
Research project to immunise more children
Health Minister Tony Ryall welcomed today’s announcement by the Health Research Council of New Zealand to provide $445,000 grant funding for a project that aims to further increase immunisation rates for children.
http://www.voxy.co.nz/health/research-project-immunise-more-children/5/139108
Plaudits as 100pc of tots immunised
Immunisation coverage at GP practices throughout Southland have been applauded by a community vaccination team.
http://www.stuff.co.nz/southland-times/news/7882275/Plaudits-as-100pc-of-tots-immunised
Deadly superbug in NZ hospitals
A superbug that has killed thousands of people overseas is circulating in New Zealand hospitals, health officials say.
http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/health/7882535/Deadly-superbug-in-NZ-hospitals
Legal synthetic cannabis causes big worry
A legal synthetic cannabis drug that has caused major problems for police and health authorities in the South Island.
http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/health/7901804/Legal-synthetic-cannabis-causes-big-worry?cid=edm:stuff:dailyheadlines
Tooth decay common in young, nurse says
Canterbury four-year-olds have "pretty shocking oral health" because of fizzy drinks, fruit juice and sweets, a nurse says.
http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/health/7901327/Tooth-decay-common-in-young-nurse-says
Website of interest
New Zealand’s First Composting Service!
Able to compost ALL brands of disposable nappies, sanitary and incontinence products.
The use of Absorbent Hygiene Products (AHP) is increasing around the world. Unfortunately, increased use brings increased waste from such products going to landfill. Envirocomp is the first company in the world to provide a composting alternative. It is now expanding worldwide with ambitious plans in a number of locations.
http://www.envirocomp.co.nz/Home.html
Article of interest
Navigating Hospital Politics
October 18, 2012 - Nearly every work environment has stressors, difficult interpersonal dynamics and office politics, and in health care these issues are often intensified because of the life-and-death nature of the work.
http://www.nursezone.com/Nursing-News-Events/more-news/Navigating-Hospital-Politics_40664.aspx
From the Ministry of Health
Guidelines for the Role and Function of Duly Authorised Officers
Mental Health (Compulsory Assessment and Treatment) Act 1992Published online: 01 November 2012SummaryThe Ministry has published updated guidance for employees of mental health services appointed as duly authorised officers (DAOs) under the Mental Health (Compulsory Assessment and Treatment) Act 1992.
http://www.health.govt.nz/publication/guidelines-role-and-function-duly-authorised-officers
Guidelines for the Role and Function of Directors of Area Mental Health Services
Mental Health (Compulsory Assessment and Treatment) Act 1992SummaryThe Ministry has published updated guidance for employees of mental health services appointed as Directors of Area Mental Health Services (DAMHS) under the Mental Health (Compulsory Assessment and Treatment) Act 1992.
http://www.health.govt.nz/publication/guidelines-role-and-function-directors-area-mental-health-services-0
New publications
Mentoring in Nursing and Healthcare: A Practical Approach
ISBN: 978-1-4443-3654-2
Paperback 280 pages April 2012, Wiley-Blackwell
Mentoring in Nursing and Healthcare is a practical, interactive resource that promotes active participation and enhances a deeper level of understanding of mentorship. It explores what is meant by the process of mentoring, addresses what a mentor is, what the role entails, and gives practical help on teaching and assessing students in clinical practice.Written primarily for mentors, this book offers a range of theoretical and practical activities and resources that are enhanced by online learning resources.Each chapter focuses on a different aspect of mentorship, including:
The role of mentorship
The mentor-student relationship
The mentor as teacher
Experiential learning and reflective practiceLearning styles and teaching theories
The mentor as assessor
Competence and capability
Health improvement
Career development
A core text for mentor preparation and mentor update courses in nursing and allied health, Mentoring in Nursing and Healthcare is an essential guide that will support learning and ongoing professional development.
Key Features: Includes not only the latest and most up-to-date NMC standards, but also the Health Professionals Councils standards of proficiencyAccessible and practice-oriented, with case studies, reflective exercises and activities throughoutHas a strong focus on assessment skillsSupported by interactive online resources that include test-yourself questions, multiple choice questions, web-links, PowerPoint slides, case studies, and activities!
(visit www.wiley.com/go/mentoring)http://dmmsclick.wiley.com/click.asp?p=13380267&m=64775&u=1715180
Online resources
How Can Health Care Organizations Become More Health Literate?
From the Institute of Medicine: Approximately 80 million adults in the United States have low health literacy – an individual’s ability to obtain, process, and understand basic health information. Low health literacy creates difficulties in communicating with clinicians, poses barriers in managing chronic illness, lessens the likelihood of receiving preventive care, heightens the possibility of experiencing serious medication errors, increased risk of hospitalization, and results in poorer quality of life. It is important for health care organizations to develop strategies that can improve their health literacy, yet organizations often find it difficult to determine exactly what it means to be health literate. The IOM Roundtable on Health Literacy in November 2011 held a workshop to discuss the growing recognition that health literacy depends not only on individual skills and abilities but also on the demands and complexities of the health care system. This document summarizes the workshop.
http://dmmsclick.wiley.com/click.asp?p=13380267&m=64817&u=1716592
RCN publications
Safe staffing for older people's wards calculator (PDF 89.5 KB)
Publication code: 004 302
Publication date: 4 October 2012
Abstract:This calculator is a visual accompaniment to Safe staffing for older people’s wards: An RCN toolkit (004 301). It is a simple, practical way to explore nursing staff levels on older people’s wards, or wards where the large majority of patients are older people, and to determine whether they meet the RCN recommendations for safe care. These recommendations are set out in Safe staffing for older people’s ward: RCN full report and recommendations (004 280).
http://www.rcn.org.uk/__data/assets/pdf_file/0003/479451/004302.pdf
Safe staffing for older people's wards: An RCN toolkit (PDF 2.3 MB)
Publication code: 004301
Publication date: 3 October 2012
ISBN: 978-1-908782-18-2
Abstract: Safe staffing for older people's wards: An RCN toolkit provides a simple, practical way to explore nursing staff levels on older people’s wards, or wards where the large majority of patients are older people, and to determine whether they meet the RCN recommendations for safe care. It is based on the RCN recommendations in Safe staffing for older people’s wards (RCN, 2012). The toolkit can be used to support a review of staffing on hospital wards where older people are cared for. It can also be used to help address any associated leadership and workforce issues and provides guidance on developing an action plan that will identify how, and to whom, actions should be addressed. The Safe staffing for older people’s ward calculator (004 302) is featured as an appendix in this toolkit (this is also available as a standalone resource).
http://www.rcn.org.uk/__data/assets/pdf_file/0009/479349/004301.pdf
Safe staffing for older people: RCN full report and recommendations (PDF 717.6 KB)
Publication code: 004280
Publication date: 17 September 2012
ISBN: 978-1-908782-15-1
Abstract:Hospital care for older people is currently an area of intense public concern across the UK. Safe staffing for older people: RCN full report and recommendations sets out guidance and recommendations for the provision of good quality, compassionate and safe nursing care for older people in hospital. The report builds on the existing RCN guidance and the series of recommendations published earlier this year to address issues such as diluted skill-mix on older people's wards. It draws on further evidence from the RCN safe staffing for older people survey 2011, nurse focus groups, a panel of expert nurses from across the UK, stakeholder consultation and a literature review. Safe staffing for older people's wards: An RCN toolkit (004 301) and Safe staffing for older people's wards calculator (004 302) accompany this report.
http://www.rcn.org.uk/__data/assets/pdf_file/0009/476379/004280.pdf
New publications
Quality and Safety in Nursing: A Competency Approach to Improving Outcomes
ISBN: 978-0-470-95958-9
Paperback 432 pages April 2012, Wiley-Blackwell
Quality and Safety in Nursing: A Competency Approach to Improving Outcomes is the first comprehensive text of its kind devoted to the nursing community's role in improving quality of care and patient safety. Edited by key members of the Quality and Safety Education for Nursing (QSEN) steering team, the book brings together information from various loci and expertly situates it within the continuum of nursing education and practice.Quality and Safety in Nursing is divided into three sections. The first section links the national initiative for quality and safety to its origins in the IOM report. Section two defines each of the six QSEN competencies in turn, provides instruction on acquiring the skills needed to achieve each competency, and constructs a framework for implementation. Section three further defines implementation strategies in formal education as well as transition into practice.A key resource for academics and clinicians alike, Quality and Safety in Nursing is an essential addition to the library of nurse leaders across the globe.
http://au.wiley.com/WileyCDA/WileyTitle/productCd-0470959584.html
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 6 November 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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