Welcome to the College of Nurses – News Update.
No. 146, Wednesday 27 March 2013
From NZ media this week
$17m update for nurses school
Twenty-seven years after Whitireia Polytechnic student nurses began taking classes in prefabs, they have finally moved into a new purpose- built school.
http://www.stuff.co.nz/dominion-post/business/commercial-property/8463708/17m-update-for-nurses-school
Whanganui UCOL Nurses already on the job
This week’s Nursing Graduates from Whanganui UCOL have already been given top marks from health sector employers.
http://www.voxy.co.nz/national/whanganui-ucol-nurses-already-job/5/150918
Katherine Corney: Now for my Master's
Working with children and doing office work in the health sector on her OE were the driving forces behind an EIT valedictorian.
Katherine Corney will address EIT's graduation ceremony tomorrow when she is capped with her Bachelor of Nursing.
http://www.hawkesbaytoday.co.nz/news/now-for-my-masters/1800576/
Nurses anxious at DHB restructure
Wairarapa and Hutt Valley nurses say they have been left feeling demoralised after changes to management made by chief executive Graham Dyer.
http://www.times-age.co.nz/news/nurses-anxious-at-dhb-restructure/1802770/
Want to see your medical records? Simply go online
New technology trialled in Wellington allowing patients to view their medical records online could also prove a life-saver, doctors say.
http://www.stuff.co.nz/dominion-post/news/8466144/Want-to-see-your-medical-records-Simply-go-online
Plunket baby records heading online
Plunket has begun testing new software that will create electronic health records for quarter of a million babies and toddlers.
http://www.stuff.co.nz/technology/digital-living/8452118/Plunket-baby-records-heading-online
Lack of medical specialists poses safety threat - union
The ongoing shortage of public hospital medical specialists could lead to an erosion of patient safety, says a group representing sector workers.
http://www.stuff.co.nz/waikato-times/news/8467339/Lack-of-medical-specialists-poses-safety-threat-union
Naming of health workers raises fears
The ruling allowing the public naming of four health workers in a fatal meningococcal case may have a "chilling effect" on reporting mistakes and undermine the safety of patients, says a health law professor.
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10872524
Vulnerable children better protected by social workers in hospitals initiative
The National Government's decision to introduce Social Workers in Hospitals is making a difference by better protecting children says Social Development Minister Paula Bennett.
http://www.nzdoctor.co.nz/un-doctored/2013/march-2013/19/vulnerable-children-better-protected-by-social-workers-in-hospitals-initiative.aspx
Brian Rudman: Health workers set bad example (opinion)
Every few months there's a report of an outbreak of some super bug or other in a hospital, and how everyone's down on their hands and knees, scrubbing the place with disinfectants.
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/opinion/news/article.cfm?c_id=466&objectid=10873336
DHB specific
Staff look for signs of family violence
Waikato health workers have stepped up their identification of patients who are also victims of family violence, with a particular focus on pregnant women.
http://www.stuff.co.nz/waikato-times/news/8462761/Staff-look-for-signs-of-family-violence
Mobile surgery brings health to rural New Zealand
Westport, Balclutha, Te Puia, Takaka and Dannevirke are not places one would expect to find a state-of-the-art operating theatre.
http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/health/8467237/Mobile-surgery-brings-health-to-rural-New-Zealand
Elderly 'waiting too long for care'
The slow grind of referring elderly patients into care by MidCentral District Health Board has been slated by aged care advocates as unjustifiable.
http://www.stuff.co.nz/manawatu-standard/news/8448217/Elderly-waiting-too-long-for-care
Consumer council to advise district health board
Wanting to build better relationships with health consumers has prompted Hawke’s Bay District Health Board to set up a Consumer Council to advise and make recommendations to its board and executive management team.
http://www.voxy.co.nz/health/consumer-council-advise-district-health-board/5/150858
More patient transfers
A statement on the board at a Save Our Services planning meeting in Blenheim yesterday afternoon underlined the group's concerns about the cost-saving review of services at Wairau Hospital.
http://www.stuff.co.nz/marlborough-express/news/8453783/More-patient-transfers
Public health
Free flu jabs for young kids with respiratory illnesses
Free flu jabs will be available to children aged under five who have respiratory illnesses.
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10872515
Doctors urge vaccination as 'killer' virus looms
octors are worried a killer flu that led to the death of 64 children in the United States will hit New Zealand's shores this winter.
http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/health/8463021/Doctors-urge-vaccination-as-killer-virus-looms
Many midwives shun flu shots
Midwives are rejecting free flu jabs despite working with the most vulnerable patients.
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/health/news/article.cfm?c_id=204&objectid=10873179
Quakes spark increase in smoking in Canterbury
Cantabrians are lighting up to cope with earthquake stress.In an unprecedented setback for national health targets and anti-smoking campaigns, research indicates the Garden City is relying on a nicotine fix to help ease stress.
http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/health/8462999/Quakes-spark-increase-in-smoking-in-Canterbury
Accute Rheumatic Fever Alert For Panmure And Glen Innes
Health Star Pacific medical centre at 132 West Tamaki Road, boarder of Glen Innes and Eastbay and its clinic at 136 Queens Road, Panmure are on the alert for acute rheumatic fever
http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/GE1303/S00088/accute-rheumatic-fever-alert-for-panmure-and-glen-innes.htm
Compulsory beneficiary jabs axed
Plans to introduce compulsory immunisation for children of beneficiaries were scrapped after the Ministry of Health said it could actually lower immunisation rates.
http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/8470697/Compulsory-beneficiary-jabs-axed
Social health
People caring for elderly relatives missing out - study
New research shows that people who are caring for elderly relatives are losing friendships, career opportunities and being heaped with financial and emotional pressure.
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10873306
International media
Tier 2 Immigrant nurses face jobs freeze in UK's National Health Service
The UK's Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) has announced a freeze on the registration of nurses from outside Europe after an internal audit found that its systems for verifying qualifications of foreign applicants were inadequate. The freeze has already prevented 160 nurses from taking up work in the UK's National Health Service (NHS) in the last month. Nurses including those from outside the European Economic Area cannot work in the NHS unless they have been registered with the NMC.
http://www.workpermit.com/news/2013-03-22/tier-2-immigrant-nurses-face-jobs-freeze-in-uks-national-health-service
Report: Nurses can curb noncommunicable diseases
Nurses and midwives can play a critical role in lessening people's risk of cardiovascular disease, cancer, chronic respiratory disease and diabetes, according to a report issued by the World Health Organization.
http://news.nurse.com/article/20130320/NATIONAL02/130320006
New Care Delivery Models Expanding RN Opportunities
As the health care landscape changes and new care delivery models such as accountable care organizations and medical homes become more common, greater career possibilities and new nursing jobs will open up--especially for nurses skilled in care coordination, data analysis and improving patient outcomes.
http://www.nursezone.com/Nursing-News-Events/more-news/New-Care-Delivery-Models-Expanding-RN-%20%20Opportunities_41128.aspx?%20%20utm_source=ExactTarget&utm_medium=Email&utm_content=3.22.13Newsletter&utm_campaign=EmailMarketing
Nurse Shortage, NICU Infection Rates Linked
Neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) are widely understaffed, potentially increasing the risk of infection in critically ill babies, researchers reported.
http://www.medpagetoday.com/nursing/Nursing/37939
How to get ahead in ... nursing leadership
After the Mid Staffs hospital scandal, David Cameron called for a new style of leadership from nurses. Now a new development programme has been launched
http://www.guardian.co.uk/healthcare-network/2013/mar/19/how-to-get-ahead-in-nhs-leadership
Men are finding a career niche in nursing
A growing number of men are joining the ranks of nursing, finds a study that takes the pulse of a predominantly female profession.
http://www.delawareonline.com/article/20130312/HEALTH/303120004/Men-finding-career-niche-nursing
Hospitals taking medical care to the homeless to cut ER visits
Hospitals reach out to transient populations to reduce emergency room visits and trim costsSeeking appropriate medical care often tumbles to the bottom of the priority list for many people who struggle with keeping a permanent place to live.
http://www.delawareonline.com/article/20130319/HEALTH/303190003/Hospitals-taking-medical-care-homeless-cut-ER-visits?nclick_check=1
Articles of interest
Keeping electrolytes & fluids in balance: part 1
Nursing2013 Critical Care
March 2011
Volume 6 Number 2
Pages 30 - 35
Critically ill patients are diverse in terms of illness, but many experience electrolyte abnormalities or fluid imbalances that can compromise their clinical status and adversely affect outcomes. These shifts in electrolytes and fluids-the "critical care shuffle"-can be attributed to an underlying chronic disease state, an acute condition that manifests during the course of the patient's hospitalization, or the administration of certain medications. Monitoring and carefully managing electrolytes and fluid balance is an integral part of assessing and caring for a critically ill patient. This series provides a general overview of the electrolytes tested and I.V. fluids used in critical care areas, as well as the common causes, signs and symptoms, and available treatments to correct electrolyte abnormalities and fluid imbalances. This article describes sodium and fluid imbalances. A later article will describe imbalances in potassium, calcium, and magnesium.
http://www.nursingcenter.com/lnc/Static-Pages/Keeping-electrolytes-fluids-in-balance-part-1?utm_source=WhatCountsEmail&utm_medium=NursingCenter%20eNews&utm_campaign=NC%20eNews:%20%20March%202013,%20Issue%202
Keeping electrolytes & fluids in balance, part 2
Nursing2013 Critical Care
May 2011
Volume 6 Number 3
Pages 27 - 32
In our previous article, we described how sodium and fluid imbalances affect the clinical status and outcomes of critically ill patients. In this article, we'll look at three more electrolytes involved in the "critical care shuffle," and what you need to know to recognize and correct these electrolyte abnormalities.
http://www.nursingcenter.com/lnc/Static-Pages/Keeping-electrolytes-fluids-in-balance,-part-2?utm_source=WhatCountsEmail&utm_medium=NursingCenter%20eNews&utm_campaign=NC%20eNews:%20%20March%202013,%20Issue%202
From the Ministry of Health
The Health of Māori Adults and Children
This brief paper presents key findings about the health and wellbeing of Māori adults and children in 2011/12. These results come from the New Zealand Health Survey.
http://www.health.govt.nz/publication/health-maori-adults-and-children
The Health of Pacific Adults and Children
his brief paper presents key findings about the health and wellbeing of Pacific adults and children in 2011/12. These results come from the New Zealand Health Survey.
http://www.health.govt.nz/publication/health-pacific-adults-and-children
Reports and publications online
Caring for people with liver disease (PDF 4.7 MB)
Publication code: 004 376
Publication date: 12 February 2013
Abstract: Liver disease is emerging to become the fifth most common cause of death in the UK and its prevalence has risen year on year in recent times. Public awareness of liver disease needs to be raised, and nurses are key to its prevention. This competence framework describes the professional standards expected of practitioners when caring for people with liver disease - adults and young people - across England.
http://www.rcn.org.uk/__data/assets/pdf_file/0017/503540/004_376.pdf
The management of diarrhoea in adults. RCN guidance for nursing staff (PDF 946.2 KB)
Publication date: 14 March 2013
ISBN: 978-1-908782-37-3
Abstract: Diarrhoea is a common and debilitating condition. Patients often feel embarrassed and find their ability to lead normal active lives severely affected, which can result in isolation and depression for those with chronic conditions. The impact of managing diarrhoea, whether acute or chronic, can also be felt by all those supporting or caring for patients, including family, carers or members of the health care team. This guidance has been developed with patients and health care workers as a holistic document to recognise and support the management of acute diarrhoea in adult patients, regardless of the care setting. It can be used in its entirety, or for specific sections as required and may be useful in supporting the development of health care organisations, local policies and procedures and should be used to complement local policies on the management of diarrhoea.
http://www.rcn.org.uk/__data/assets/pdf_file/0016/510721/004371.pdf
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 Wednesday 27 March 2013
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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