Welcome to the College of Nurses – News Update.
No. 152, Wednesday 8 May 2013
From NZ media this week
Scholarships for Māori nurses will help rural communities
Medibank, 6 May 2013 The first recipients of the Medibank Community Fund telenursing scholarships for Mori nurses will be recognised at a mihimihi tomorrow (May 7) with partners Te Rau Matatini in Wellington. An increase in Maori from rural areas …http://community.scoop.co.nz/2013/05/scholarships-for-maori-nurses-will-help-rural-communities/
Hospital choice key to kids' survival
Where ambulances take badly injured children first seems to affect their chances, paediatric surgeons say.
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10882208
Struggle to fill health sector gaps
New Zealand's ageing population driving the demand for professional and non-professional care workers.
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/news/article.cfm?c_id=3&objectid=10880710
Asthma takes toll on productivity
Asthma sufferers are costing the country hundreds of millions of dollars in lost productivity each year and one Auckland family say they are feeling the pinch as they struggle to take care of their seriously ill toddler.
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/lifestyle/news/article.cfm?c_id=6&objectid=10881957
Top Health Grants Awarded to Help Kiwis Recover from Brain Injuries
Research into New Zealand’s worrying brain injury epidemic has been given a boost with three scientists awarded grants from the Health Research Council of New Zealand (HRC) to help improve the prognosis of Kiwis with brain injuries.
http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/GE1305/S00029/health-grants-to-help-kiwis-recover-from-brain-injuries.htm
'Unrealistic criteria' no help for low vision
Award-winning author Lynley Hood says the Foundation of the Blind is ignoring the needs of more than 100,000 people with vision impairment because its membership criteria are too strict, creating what she calls a "public health crisis".
http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/health/8634482/Unrealistic-criteria-no-help-for-low-vision
1000 days to get it right for every child: just 500 days to go
Today marks the approximate half-way mark of this parliamentary term, meaning the current parliament has just 500 days left to progress the status and wellbeing of our children says Every Child Counts*.
http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/GE1305/S00018/1000-days-to-ret-it-right-for-every-child-500-days-to-go.htm
Satisfaction from overcoming the challenges of remote rural locations
Bouncing along rural tracks trying to find houses with only a number as a reference can be challenging, but it's worth it to ensure that West Coast children get the protection they need, and that the Government's immunisation targets are met.
http://www.westcoastdhb.org.nz/news_n_media/latest_media/latest_media_releases.asp?filename=20130402_1.asp
Hospital's tax-exempt status criticised
Christchurch's St George's Hospital, which is run as a charity, made millions of dollars last year but gave back less than $100,000 to the community - an amount slammed by critics as "tokenism".
http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/health/8631567/Hospitals-tax-exempt-status-criticised?cid=edm:stuff:dailyheadlines
Winter ills rub their hands
Research uncovers poor hand-hygiene record by medical practitioners across all district health boards
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10881573
International day a chance to assess maternity systems
There's a clear message that women need to have access to maternity care close to home, in the face of the reality of rationalisation of health services.
http://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/auckland/news/nbhea/244805386-international-day-a-chance-to-assess-maternity-systems
DHB specific
Canterbury Dhb Leads the Country with Top Marks from the Auditor General
Canterbury District Health Board (CDHB) is the first DHB ever to achieve the Government’s highest rating for robust service performance reporting.
http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/GE1305/S00016/canterbury-dhb-leads-the-country.htm
DHB looks into costs of wasted medication
The Southern District Health Board will review the way it prescribes painkillers after the wife of a board member was given more than 700 pills when she left hospital despite needing only a fraction of that amount.
http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/health/8626846/DHB-looks-into-costs-of-wasted-medication
More appendicitis misdiagnosis revealed
Two more people have come forward to say they had appendicitis and were initially misdiagnosed at Southland Hospital.
http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/health/8621593/More-appendicitis-misdiagnosis-revealed
Wellington Patients to Benefit from New Online Health Record
Health record summaries from General Practices will soon be immediately available to hospital clinicians as a new system for accessing primary care health records online is launched in Wellington, Porirua and the Kapiti Coast.
http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/GE1304/S00113/wellington-patients-to-benefit-from-new-online-health-record.htm
Speed was a sign hearing screener faked tests
A screener who was faking hearing test results for babies at Hutt Hospital was exposed by the speed of her work.
http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/health/8621477/Speed-was-a-sign-hearing-screener-faked-tests
“We cannot cut any more –“ health board suffers from under-funding“
New figures released by Ministry of Health show that Capital and Coast District Health Board has the worst access to primary health care of any of the major DHBs in the country,” said David Choat, Capital and Coast District Health Board member.
http://wellington.scoop.co.nz/?p=55071
Health spend to top $171m
The South Canterbury District Health Board looks set to spend more than $171 million this financial year, with almost half of that going on hospital-based services.
http://www.stuff.co.nz/timaru-herald/news/8631649/Health-spend-to-top-171m
Good medicine for global staff
When it comes to "United Nations" look no further than Timaru Hospital, which now boasts a multicultural workforce. Staff reporter Alexia Johnston asks what the big attraction is.
http://www.stuff.co.nz/timaru-herald/features/8632380/Good-medicine-for-global-staff
Patients travel for specialist care
An estimated 1700 to 1800 people travel out of South Canterbury for specialist health services each year, ultimately giving them the best level of care.
http://www.stuff.co.nz/timaru-herald/news/8635372/Patients-travel-for-specialist-care
$22m mental health unit signed offHawke's Bay is to finally get a new mental health unit.Health Minister Tony Ryall today signed off on the business case for a new $22 million mental health unit to replace the dilapidated and outdated existing building.
http://www.stuff.co.nz/dominion-post/news/hawkes-bay/8614369/22m-mental-health-unit-signed-off
Closure leaves 10,000 patients in the lurch
Nearly 10,000 SouthCare patients have been left in limbo as the Hawera medical centre prepares to shut its doors at the end of the week.
http://www.stuff.co.nz/taranaki-daily-news/news/8616595/Closure-leaves-10-000-patients-in-the-lurch
Laid-off SouthCare doctors set to step in
SouthCare's discarded doctors say they will fill the void created by the medical centre's financial collapse and they have already started to take bookings.
http://www.stuff.co.nz/taranaki-daily-news/news/8621700/Laid-off-SouthCare-doctors-set-to-step-in
DHB chases cost of non residents' care
Immigration urged to clarify sponsors' liability for hospital debt.The Auckland District Health Board wants Immigration New Zealand to spell out the rules on eligibility for state-funded health care. Photo / Getty ImagesAn Auckland man has been saddled with years of debt repayment after his mother came to visit from overseas and fell ill with serious heart problems that cost $110,000 to treat.
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10880953
Drive for efficiency takes scalpel to costs
A programme to increase surgical efficiency in Marlborough and Nelson reduced patient turnaround time and could allow for an extra three or four operations a week, programme manager Martin Anderson says.
http://www.stuff.co.nz/marlborough-express/news/8636439/Drive-for-efficiency-takes-scalpel-to-costs
Lifelike cut-outs spread the word
Lifelike cut-outs of hospital staff will be popping up around the Cameron Road premises and in Whakatane Hospital this month to help spread the word about hand hygiene. In preparation for World Hand Hygiene Day on Sunday, May 5 Bay of Plenty District Health Board has organised an innovative campaign to promote the message. Registered nurse Traci Reihana...
http://www.sunlive.co.nz/news/43127-lifelike-cutouts-spread-word.html
Health staff images used in hand hygiene campaign
Over the next month, the Bay of Plenty District Health Board is putting visual emphasis on how hospital staff can stop the spread of infection by practicing good hand hygiene. Director of Nursing at Bay of Plenty District Health Board Julie Robinson says good hand hygiene prevents the transmission of harmful microorganisms between patients or between different parts of a patient’s body.
http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/GE1305/S00026/health-staff-images-used-in-hand-hygiene-campaign.htm
Staffing woes a test of patients
A growing waiting list for neurology services at Palmerston North Hospital is being assessed by a "vanishingly few number of neurologists", with one patient showing symptoms of MS waiting more than a year to be seen.
http://www.stuff.co.nz/manawatu-standard/news/8632720/Staffing-woes-a-test-of-patients
Public health
Children fall to infectious virus
Dozens of dehydrated children are needing hospital treatment as a result of hand, foot and mouth disease.
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10881570
STIs on rise as condom use falls
Kiwi women are ditching the pill and condoms in favour of longer term forms of contraception.
http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/health/8635252/STIs-on-rise-as-condom-use-falls
Superbug spreads further in community
Cases of the superbug MRSA doubled in the six years to 2011, with the bug now infecting more people in the community than in hospitals, a new study shows.
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/health/news/article.cfm?c_id=204&objectid=10880400
Govt bans more legal high chemicals
The government has banned two more chemicals found in former legal high K2.
http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/8614663/Govt-bans-more-legal-high-chemicals
Drugged teenagers 'out of their minds'
Violent and psychotic teenagers high on synthetic cannabis are filling up police cells and hospital emergency departments.
http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/crime/8616275/Drugged-teenagers-out-of-their-minds
Doctor's daily battle to help users
Hawke's Bay Today continues its campaign against K2. Sam Hurley talks to Dr Brad Sandleback, of the Emergency Department at Hawke's Bay Hospital, about his daily battle to help those who opt for legal highs.
http://www.hawkesbaytoday.co.nz/news/doctors-daily-battle-to-help-users/1857905/
Fatty diet wreaks havoc in islands
NZ urged to impose a quota on disease-creating exports to the Pacific as diabetes and weight problems soar.
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10881192
The Kiwi diet: When's the right time to intervene?
Government policy on eating habits is changing, with money being diverted to maternal and newborn nutrition from other food programmes. Health reporter Martin Johnston looks at the evidence and the controversy.
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/health/news/article.cfm?c_id=204&objectid=10882185
Clinics to target rheumatic fever
Free sore throat drop-in clinics will be opened in Porirua for families with children at risk of developing rheumatic fever.
http://www.stuff.co.nz/dominion-post/news/porirua/8637793/Clinics-to-target-rheumatic-fever
Funding targets rheumatic fever
The Government is pledging an extra $5 million a year to tackle the high rate of rheumatic fever among children.
http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/health/8637076/Funding-targets-rheumatic-fever
Budget 2013: $70 Million Extra for Aged Care and Dementia
Aged care and dementia services will benefit from an extra $70 million over the next four years, Health Minister Tony Ryall and Associate Health Minister Jo Goodhew say.“The Government continues to support older New Zealanders to be healthier and independent in their own homes or in aged care,” Mr Ryall says. “And we are putting extra money into funding better awareness, early detection and care of dementia.”
http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/GE1304/S00114/budget-2013-70-million-extra-for-aged-care-and-dementia.htm
NZ women face 1 in 3300 chance of dying during pregnancy or childbirth - report
New Zealand women face a one in 3300 chance of dying during pregnancy or childbirth, the fourth worst odds among 34 industrialised countries included in Save the Children's annual State of the World's Mothers report.
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/lifestyle/news/article.cfm?c_id=6&objectid=10882149
Social health
College of GPs supports Breakfast and Lunch Programmes in Schools BillThe Royal New Zealand College of General Practitioners supports Hone Harawira’s private member's Education (Breakfast and Lunch Programmes in Schools) Amendment Bill, which is expected to have its first reading in June.
http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/GE1305/S00006/college-of-gps-supports-breakfast-and-lunch-in-schools.htm
Work and management
Health and safety system overhaul call
A major independent report has found New Zealand's current workplace health and safety system "is not fit for purpose".
http://www.stuff.co.nz/business/industries/8614717/Health-and-safety-system-overhaul-call
From new hires to new health systems, RNs must focus on value of enculturation
When hiring nurses, Charlene Ruggiero, RN, ICU and neuro ICU nurse manager at Overlook Medical Center, Summit, N.J., said a candidate’s ability to fit into the hospital’s culture is as important as years of experience.
http://news.nurse.com/article/20130422/NY01/104220008
International media
Transition-to-practice programs may contribute to new grad success (US)
The transition from nursing student to RN often is rocky. Aside from being challenged clinically by the minute, newly licensed nurses also must adjust to demanding institutional cultures. These stresses can contribute to clinical errors and employee turnover.
http://news.nurse.com/article/20130422/NATIONAL01/104220001
Robot zaps hospital bugs
They sweep. They swab. They sterilise. And still the germs persist.In US hospitals, an estimated one in 20 patients pick up infections they didn't have when they arrived, some caused by dangerous 'superbugs' that are hard to treat.
http://www.stuff.co.nz/science/8613112/Robot-zaps-hospital-bugs
HRSA program helps veterans pursue nursing careers (US)
The U.S Department of Health and Human Services has announced a new program to help military medics and other veterans with healthcare experience or training pursue nursing careers.
http://news.nurse.com/article/20130429/NATIONAL02/104290026
Proposed social media rules for nursing and allied health released (Aus)
Nurses and allied health professionals should not discuss patients or post pictures of procedures, case studies, patients or sensitive material without obtaining consent in appropriate situations, according to the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency’s (AHPRA) first ever guidelines for social media.
http://www.ncah.com.au/news-events/proposed-social-media-rules-for-nursing-and-allied-health-released/1746/
Study: ED costs may be three times higher than estimates (US)
Time for providing care often unaccounted for
http://www.fiercehealthfinance.com/story/study-ed-costs-may-be-three-times-higher-estimates/2013-04-30
District nursing to redeploy staff (Aus)
A union said it was distressing the Royal District Nursing Service (RDNS) planned to redeploy or make redundant about 50 nurses in South Australia, but the Service said changes would affect only 14 staff.
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-05-01/jobs-threatened-district-nurses/4662336
Nurse turnover affects HF care at rural hospitals (US)
Lower nursing turnover and better practice environments can help rural hospitals ensure high-quality care for heart failure patients, according to a study.
http://news.nurse.com/article/20130501/NATIONAL02/105130004
Nurses Lead the Way to Better Diabetes Tx (US)
PHOENIX – A program led by certified diabetes nurse educators helped patients titrate insulin and improve key diabetes parameters, researchers reported here
http://www.medpagetoday.com/MeetingCoverage/AACE/38811
Suicide reporting guidelines to be revised | Media | guardian.co.uk
(Roy Greenslade) How do we go about the sensitive matter of reporting suicides? Journalists have often found it difficult to cope with, most obviously because it can usually be construed as intruding into private grief.
In every case that intrusion has to be carefully weighed against a justification of public interest.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/greenslade/2013/may/01/universityofstrathclyde-media-events-conferences?utm_source=Media+Digest&utm_campaign=972ddc25f1-MHTP_03_05_20135_3_2013&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_dbf1146ae7-972ddc25f1-33612197
Nurses Uniquely Suited To Be Care Coordinators (US)
When people ask Janet Duni, RN, CCM, MPA, what's required of a good population care coordinator, she says the answer is right on her face. "I point to the sides of my eyes where I have a couple of crow's feet," she says.
http://www.healthleadersmedia.com/content/NRS-291668/Nurses-Uniquely-Suited-To-Be-Care-Coordinators
Suicide prevention bill receives unanimous support; LePage immediately signs it
AUGUSTA — A bill that aims to prevent suicide among Maine’s youth breezed through the House of Representatives and Senate on Thursday on unanimous roll-call votes and was signed into law immediately by Gov. Paul LePage.
http://www.sunjournal.com/news/maine/2013/04/26/suicide-prevention-bill-receives-unanimous-support/1354241
Expanding the role of nurses (Canada)
As part of Ontario's Action Plan for Health Care, the Ontario government is expanding the nursing scope of practice...
http://www.health.gov.on.ca/en/ms/ecfa/healthy_change/docs/rep_healthychange.pdf?utm_source=Canadian+Mental+Health+Association%2C+Ontario+List&utm_campaign=02e223c1c4-5_2_2013&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_aaba3afa9b-02e223c1c4-315452293
Articles of interest
Hypothesis testing and p values: how to interpret results and reach the right conclusions
Whenever we encounter a research finding based on the interpretation of a p value from a statistical test, whether we realise it or not, we are discussing the result of a formal hypothesis test. This is true irrespective of whether the test involves comparisons of means, Odds Ratios (ORs), regression results or other types of statistical tests. As readers of research, it is important to understand the underlying principles of hypothesis testing, so that when faced with statistical results, we reach the right conclusions and make good decisions about which findings are robust enough to be translated into clinical practice.
http://ebn.bmj.com/content/16/2/36.full
The importance of transcultural nursing in a multicultural society
Australia is a multicultural society. The 2011 Census revealed that almost a quarter of the population were born overseas, and 43.1 per cent of people have at least one overseas-born parent.
http://www.ausmed.com.au/the-nursing-blog/entry/the-importance-of-transcultural-nursing-in-a-multicultural-society?spJobID=72074001&spMailingID=6031464&spReportId=NzIwNzQwMDES1&spUserID=OTE5NzMzMzg0OAS2&utm_campaign=20130426-Member_newsletter+%281%29&utm_content=&utm_medium=email&utm_source=Newsletters
Staffing Matters—Every Shift
AJN, American Journal of Nursing
December 2012 : Volume 112 Number 12 : Pages 22 - 27Overview: Data from the Military Nursing Outcomes Database (MilNOD) project demonstrate that inadequately staffed shifts can increase the likelihood of adverse events, such as falls with injury, medication errors, and needlestick injuries to nurses. Such evidence can be used to show that it takes not only the right number of nursing staff on every shift to ensure safe patient care, but also the right mix of expertise and experience. Based on findings from the MilNOD project, the authors present realistic scenarios of common dilemmas hospitals face in nurse staffing, illustrating the potential hazards for patients and nurses alike.
http://www.nursingcenter.com/lnc/CEArticle?an=00000446-201212000-00021&Journal_ID=54030&Issue_ID=1471789&utm_source=WhatCountsEmail&utm_medium=NursingCenter%20eNews&utm_campaign=NC%20eNews:%20%20April%202013,%20Issue%202
Leadership Perspectives: Advancing the Nursing Profession Begins With Leadership
JONA: Journal of Nursing Administration
April 2013 : Volume 43 Number 4: Pages 179 – 181This bimonthly department, sponsored by the American Organization of Nurse Executives (AONE), presents information to assist nurse leaders in shaping the future of healthcare through creative and innovative leadership. The strategic priorities of AONE anchor the editorial content. They reflect contemporary healthcare and nursing practice issues that challenge nurse executives as they strive to meet the needs of patients.
http://www.nursingcenter.com/lnc/Static-Pages/Leadership-Perspectives-Advancing-the-Nursing-Prof?utm_source=WhatCountsEmail&utm_medium=NursingCenter%20eNews&utm_campaign=NC%20eNews:%20%20April%202013,%20Issue%202
Crucial Conversations’ in the Workplace
AJN, American Journal of Nursing
April 2013 : Volume 113 Number 4 : Pages 66 - 70
Offering nurses a framework for discussing-and resolving- incidents of lateral violence.This is the second article in a series on leadership, coordinated by the American Organization of Nurse Executives (AONE), highlighting how nurses are leading change efforts in hospitals. It describes work done in conjunction with the AONE's Care Innovation and Transformation initiative, which provides leadership development and educational opportunities to nurse managers and staff aimed at supporting nurses at the point of care in making changes to improve the quality and safety of patient care.
http://www.nursingcenter.com/lnc/Static-Pages/Crucial-Conversations-in-the-Workplace?utm_source=WhatCountsEmail&utm_medium=NursingCenter%20eNews&utm_campaign=NC%20eNews:%20%20April%202013,%20Issue%202
Creating cultures of safety: Risk management challenges and strategies
Nursing Management
December 2010 : Volume 41 Number 12 : Pages 26 - 33
Risk management is the process by which vulnerabilities are identified and changes are made to minimize the consequences of adverse patient outcomes and liability. Related clinical initiatives to reduce risk and harm should be part of a larger organizational commitment to patient safety. In a true culture of safety, everyone in the organization is committed and driven to keep patients safe from harm. It's under the umbrella of a patient safety culture that risk managers and nurse leaders effect the most successful clinical change.
http://www.nursingcenter.com/lnc/cearticle?tid=1095690&utm_source=WhatCountsEmail&utm_medium=NursingCenter%20Registrants%20--%20All&utm_campaign=NC%20Alert:%20%20Alarm%20Fatigue_April%202013
The Transformative Power of Personal and Organizational LeadershipNursing Administration Quarterly
June 2012 : Volume 36 Number 2: Pages 147 - 154
Transformational leadership has both personal and professional domains. Key concepts and research related to transformational leadership are explored, as well as a framework for personal and professional leadership, in relation to leadership of self, leadership in relation to others, and leadership in relation to systems. A review of the issues and trends facing nurse executives results in identification of the research gaps in personal and professional leadership as it impacts nursing practice, and suggestions about potential research agenda items for executive nurse leadership in practice are discussed.
http://www.nursingcenter.com/lnc/Static-Pages/The-Transformative-Power-of-Personal-and-Organizat?utm_source=WhatCountsEmail&utm_medium=NursingCenter%20eNews&utm_campaign=NC%20eNews:%20%20April%202013,%20Issue%202
Social media and Website of interest
Lead The Way In Safety With A Safer Sign Out
Safer Sign Out is a patient-centered, team-based innovation that was developed by emergency physicians to improve the safety and reliability of end of shift patient “handoffs.”The Emergency Medicine Patient Safety Foundation (EMPSF), in collaboration with our innovation partners, brings you the Safer Sign Out protocol to help reduce risk, increase effectiveness and improve clinician and patient satisfaction.
http://safersignout.com/
Philip Darbyshire
Philip Darbyshire is internationally recognized as a leader in nursing and health care research and practice development.He enables the best in staff potential to solve problems, think creatively and 'raise the bar', thus improving the condition of your organisation.He has won over a million dollars in competitive research funding and established and led one of Australia's most successful Research & Practice Development units for thirteen years.
http://www.philipdarbyshire.com.au/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=2&Itemid=14
From the Ministry of Health
Review of the Children’s Spectacle Subsidy
This publication is a report on the review of the Children’s Spectacle Subsidy. The review w
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