Welcome to the College of Nurses – News Update.
No. 131, Wednesday 28 November 2012
From NZ media this week
'Increasing trend' in delayed hospital treatment
A child who died of sepsis after having an abdominal feeding tube reinserted was one of 91 people who died in New Zealand hospitals as the result of serious medical events, some preventable, in the past year, a new health report says.
http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/health/7978429/Increasing-trend-in-delayed-hospital-treatment
Report reveals hospital mishaps
A kidney patient bled to death at a community treatment centre in South Auckland after an alarm system was not activated because there was only one phone line.
http://www.stuff.co.nz/auckland/local-news/7978462/Report-reveals-hospital-mishaps
New global trigger tool introduced to reduce unintentional patient harm
Hawke's Bay District Health Board continues to focus on patient safety and quality initiating a new tool to help identify patient risk factors.http://www.nzdoctor.co.nz/un-doctored/2012/november-2012/21/new-global-trigger-tool-introduced-to-reduce-unintentional-patient-harm.aspx
Editorial: Openness the key to safer hospitals
In the context of the nearly 3 million patients treated in public hospitals in the past year, the fact 360 suffered an adverse event is not cause for panic. However, that does not detract from the very real harm done to the victims, often as a result of avoidable mistakes, delays or accidents.
http://www.stuff.co.nz/dominion-post/comment/editorials/7980184/Editorial-Openness-the-key-to-safer-hospitals
NZ Nurses welcome 'Making our hospitals safer' report
The New Zealand Nurses Organisation (NZNO) welcomes the 2011/12 Serious and Sentinel events report "Making our hospitals safer".http://www.voxy.co.nz/health/nz-nurses-welcome-making-our-hospitals-safer-report/5/141282
Quality Improvement and Innovation Awards
The best of the best innovations from the Canterbury health system have been recognised today at the Canterbury District Health Board (CDHB) Quality Improvement and Innovation Awards.
http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/GE1211/S00087/quality-improvement-and-innovation-awards.htm
Older Kiwis more comfortable with online GP contact
A fifth of Kiwis aged 50 plus would be happy to forgo a face-to-face consultation with their GP if the convenience of a video conversation over the internet was available. Those aged under 30 were least open to the idea with just 17% comfortable with the option.
http://www.voxy.co.nz/health/older-kiwis-more-comfortable-online-gp-contact/5/141241
Cultural focus key to healthcare outcomes
Culturally appropriate maternity services in responding to the needs of whanau around birthing are fundamental to our community. Many of us understand that cultural misunderstandings or unconscious bias have contributed to the appalling state of Maori health.
http://www.wanganuichronicle.co.nz/news/cultural-focus-key-to-healthcare-outcomes/1630508/
Whanau Ora minister faces criticism
Whanau Ora Minister Tariana Turia has fronted up for the first time over a series of criticisms of the $34 million fund for at-risk families.
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10849302
Jobs at risk in health closure
A Maori health organisation which looks after 192 people in Nelson is to close, leaving the jobs of eight staff on the line.
http://www.stuff.co.nz/nelson-mail/news/7992976/Jobs-at-risk-in-health-closure
Refugee report identifies key issues
A report providing a snapshot of how life is for former refugees in Nelson has revealed a significant gap in mental health services and concerns around alcohol misuse and family violence.
http://www.stuff.co.nz/nelson-mail/news/7992972/Refugee-report-identifies-key-issues
Family violence at 'horrendous' levels
Police investigated more than 77,500 domestic violence cases in the past 20 months, launching inquiries at a rate equal to five incidents every hour, new figures show.
http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/crime/7994731/Family-violence-at-horrendous-levels
Young mum fails to cope with baby
Drugs not counselling ordered for post-natal depression.
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10849750
Doing more with less doesn’t cut it - nurses
The New Zealand Nurses Organisation (NZNO) says that extensive discussion between unions and Waikato DHB has failed to reassure nurses and allied health staff that their work is taken seriously by the DHB.
http://www.voxy.co.nz/health/doing-more-less-doesn%E2%80%99t-cut-it-nurses/5/141601
Nurses rally for top cause
Their career choice might seem at odds with their need for speed but racers Tarryn Cox and Angela Lloyd are just as passionate about becoming nurses.
http://www.rotoruadailypost.co.nz/news/nurses-rally-top-cause/1635741/
SMARTPHONE TECHNOLOGY NOW A TOOL IN OPHTHALMOLOGY
The iPhone and smartphones alike are increasingly becoming a vital tool in treating eye diseases. From having access to the latest medical research at the point of care, to being able to communicate at a moment's notice with physicians and colleagues around the world, medicine is being practiced in a technological age.
http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/GE1211/S00113/smartphone-technology-now-a-tool-in-ophthalmology.htm
DHB specific
Putting Women's Health First - a Vision to Improve
Three independent obstetric and midwifery experts brought in by Waikato District Health Board to review the current state and advise on a strategic direction for its Women’s Health service have come back with 26 recommendations for change grouped into four timeframes ranging from immediately to within five years.
http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/GE1211/S00111/putting-womens-health-first.htm
Major Redevelopment of Mental Health Services at Waitemata DHB
A new mental health facility is to be developed in the Waitemata district as part of an expansion of services for the district’s growing population.
http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/GE1211/S00093/mental-health-services-at-waitemata-dhb.htm
DHB has 5 staff on $320,000 plus
South Canterbury District Health Board pay packets have increased for some staff, with five employees now earning between $320,001 and $350,000.
http://www.stuff.co.nz/timaru-herald/news/7992258/DHB-has-5-staff-on-320-000-plus
International media
Concerns raised about ageing practice nurse workforce
A “frightening” crisis in practice nursing could be on the horizon in the East of England, the Royal College of Nursing has warned.
http://www.nursingtimes.net/5052029.article?referrer=e10
'Recognise the value of all roles in nursing' (Editorial)
Our story about the “frightening” shortage of practice nurses on page 7 raises huge concerns for the profession and the health of the nation.
Nurse prescribing and nurse-led clinics have done much to elevate nurses’ influence and responsibilities - both within primary care and the acute sector
http://www.nursingtimes.net/5052221.article?referrer=e26
Carter calls for focus on nurse leadership
Nurses should be given more opportunities to take a lead role in clinical practice, the head of the Royal College of Nursing has said.http://www.nursingtimes.net/nursing-practice/leadership/carter-calls-for-focus-on-nurse-leadership/5052106.article?blocktitle=News&contentID=4385
AHPRA audits enter phase two
Since the formation of the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA), a consistent, national set of registration standards have been introduced across Australia’s 14 health professions.
http://www.ausmed.com.au/blog/entry/ahpra-audits-enter-phase-two
Nurses can help improve vaccination rates: study
*(Reuters) - More elderly and at-risk adults get their flu and pneumonia vaccinations when the shots are coordinated and given by nurses instead of doctors, according to a North American study.
http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/11/26/us-flu-vaccinations-idUSBRE8AP00820121126
Public health
Is a 'smoker's licence' a good idea?
Last week the journal PLOS Medicine published two articles that raised a debate as to whether a 'smoker's licence' is a good idea or not.
http://www.ausmed.com.au/blog/entry/is-a-smokers-licence-a-good-idea
'Epidemic' of brain injuries in NZ - study
The number of New Zealanders with traumatic brain injuries has reached "epidemic levels", with a new injury occurring on average every 15 minutes, a world-first study has revealed.
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10849270
Two men drink themselves to death
The death of two men from excessive alcohol assumption has seen renewed calls for mandatory labels on all alcohol.
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10849317
Women can now get treatment for urinary tract infections directly from trained pharmacistsIn a New Zealand first, women will be able to receive best practice treatment for urinary tract infections (often referred to as UTI, bladder infection or cystitis) directly from trained pharmacists from today. The service is now available in a number of Amcal, Care Chemist, Life, Radius and Unichem community pharmacies nationwide.
http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/GE1211/S00102/uti-treatment-now-available-direct-from-trained-pharmacists.htm
Article of interest
'Develop ward sister role to improve care' (Commentary)
Ward sisters and managers are the individuals who can make the greatest amount of difference to the morale of staff and therefore the quality of care provided in hospitals.
That’s also the view of Jan Sobieraj of the NHS Leadership Academy
http://www.nursingtimes.net/5052011.article?referrer=e26
Reports online
Making our hospitals safer: Serious and Sentinel Events Report 2011/12
This is the Commission's third report setting out the serious and sentinel events that New Zealand's 20 District Health Boards (DHBs) have reported in the previous year, and the sixth report overall.Serious and sentinel events are events which have generally resulted in harm to patients. This report details serious and sentinel events in DHBs in the year 2011 to 2012.
http://www.hqsc.govt.nz/our-programmes/reportable-events/publications-and-resources/publication/695/
Online resources
A correction to the inclusion of this item last week. We have since found one of the links didn’t work. The details below have been updated and all links should now connect. Apologies for any inconvenience.
Improving nursing utilisation of evidence to inform clinical practice: A New Zealand case study
Clayton, John and Bland, Michael (2012) Improving nursing utilisation of evidence to inform clinical practice: A New Zealand case study.
In: NET2012: 23rd International Networking for Healthcare Education Conference, 4-6 September, 2012, Cambridge, United Kingdom.
In New Zealand it is acknowledged access to and utilisation of evidence to inform practice varies widely acrossthe nursing sector. To address this wide variation, the Waikato District Health Board (WDHB), on behalf of theMidland District Health Boards (MDHB), submitted a proposal to an Expressions of Interest issued by the NewZealand Ministry of Health in 2010. The proposal, Improving Nursing Utilisation of Evidence to Inform ClinicalPractice, was focused on strengthening the connection between evidence and nursing practice by utilisinginternationally-recognised, electronic-based approaches. The proposal was based on two interrelated tasks,firstly, the selection of an appropriate electronic manual and secondly, evaluation of the perceptions of a selectedgroup of registered nurses and midwives to the manual’s suitability for deployment across the MDHB.
http://researcharchive..wintec.ac.nz/2135/DF (PPT presentation) - Published Version
http://researcharchive.wintec.ac.nz/2135/2/E:%5CDHB%5CNETS2012.pdf
Official URL: http://www..jillrogersassociates.co.uk/images/stori...
Conferences
Branching out: the 4th Australasian Mental Health Outcomes & Information Conference 2013
International Conferences & Events Pty Ltd
1/12 Gladstone Place
South Melbourne VIC 3205
The Australian Mental Health Outcomes and Classification Network (AMHOCN), in partnership with Te Pou, invite you to Branching out: the 4th Australasian Mental Health Outcomes and Information Conference, to be held at The Novotel Brighton Beach in Sydney, from Tuesday 11 to Thursday 13 June 2013.
The Conference promises to engage your senses and feed you mind! Whether you're experienced, connected, curious or passionate, this conference will offer national and international perspectives across the spectrum of issues within mental health outcomes measurement and information use - including benchmarking, key performance indicators, casemix, activity based funding, and practice based evidence that demonstrates the quality of service provision.The conference will be of interest to all those who use outcome measures and mental health information across the mental health or addiction sectors – clinicians, consumers, carers, team leaders, service managers, policy makers, planners, researchers and funders.
http://www.amhoic2013.com.au/
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 27 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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