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Content ArticleThis report by The Queen's Nursing Institute presents the findings of a survey of community nurses (also known as district nurses) conducted in 2022 to look at how digital technologies are used in community nursing. The survey found that: 43.1% respondents reported problems with lack of compatibility between different computer systems, compared to 32.7% in 2017 87% respondents reported issues with mobile connectivity, compared to 85% in 2017 53%.respondents reported problems with device battery life, compared to 29.5% in 2017 The report concludes that overall, the community nursing workforce has a high level of digital literacy and that poor user experience frequently appears to be around design and function rather than a lack of literacy or enthusiasm for technology. The workforce also has an appetite for high functioning technology and can see the potential of new applications, for example, in managing wound care or long-term conditions.
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Content ArticleNurses work long hours and play a critical role in keeping patients healthy. Many nurses feel that fatigue “comes with the territory” of such a high-stress, high-impact job. But what’s really at risk when a nurse is fatigued? This blog by US insurance company Nurses Service Organization (NSO) looks at the impact of nurse fatigue on patient and staff safety. It suggests several strategies to address the issue: Designing schedules and organising work to reduce nurse fatigue Developing a fatigue management plan Educating staff on sleep hygiene and the effects of fatigue on nurse health and patient safety Providing opportunities for staff to express concerns about fatigue and taking action to address those concerns Making sure extended shifts have adequate staff support and rest periods
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Content ArticleIn this study, Hawkins and Morse explored nurses’ work in the context of medication administration, errors and the organisation. Secondary analysis of ethnographic data included 92 hours of non-participant observation, and 37 unstructured interviews with nurses, administrators, and pharmacists. Think-aloud observations and analysis of institutional documents supplemented these data. Findings revealed the nature of nurses’ work was characterised by chasing a standard of care, prioritising practice and renegotiating routines. The rich description identified characteristics of nurses’ work as cyclical, chaotic and complex, shattering studies that explained nurses’ work as linear. A new theoretical model was developed, illustrating the inseparability of nurses’ work from contextual contingencies and enhancing our understanding of the cascading components of work that result in days that spin out of the nurses’ control. These results deepen our understanding why present efforts targeting the reduction of medication errors may be ineffective and places administration accountable for the context in which medication errors occur.
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News ArticleNurses could refuse to carry out any further strikes alongside other health workers because of fears over patient safety, The Independent has learnt. A mass walkout billed as the largest strike in NHS history is due to take place on Monday as tens of thousands of nurses, paramedics and 999 call handlers walk out in a bid to force ministers to the negotiating table. But the coordinated strikes could be a one-off if nurses feel that the decision to take part in direct action compromises patient safety, The Independent has been told. One union source said walkouts are not carried out on a “come what may” basis, and that the unions would have to assess whether striking together was “helpful” or not. Unions have been escalating their industrial action in recent weeks in an attempt to secure higher pay rises. Any de-escalation in tactics will be seen as a blow to their campaign and a boost to Rishi Sunak’s hopes of riding out the wave of protests. With patient safety the priority, sources insisted there are strong local controls that will pull nurses from picket lines if they think there is an issue. Read full story Source: The Independent, 5 February 2023
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Content ArticleThis study in The Journal of Nursing Administration aimed to investigate the relationship between sleep deprivation and occupational and patient care errors among staff nurses who work the night shift. A cross-sectional correlational design was used to evaluate relationships between sleep deprivation and occupational and patient care errors in 289 hospital night shift nurses. The study found that more than half (56%) of the sample reported being sleep deprived. Sleep-deprived nurses made more patient care errors. Testing for associations with occupational errors was not feasible because of the low number of occupational errors reported.
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News ArticleSickle cell patients are being put at risk because of a chronic shortage of specialist nurses to treat them, a damning new report has found. 'The Difference Between Life and Death', a new study by the Sickle Cell Society, found that there are not enough sickle cell workers to deliver a good standard of care. One patient called Abi Adeturinmo told researchers that previous traumatic experiences caused by delays in receiving pain relief medication and poor care meant she “tries not to go to the hospital when in sickle cell crisis unless it is life-threatening”. Another patient, Araba Mensah, whose daughter has sickle cell disorder, said there was a lack of “hands-on” nursing, and said patients who have difficulties feeding themselves or with personal hygiene were “left to suffer unattended”. John James, CEO of the Sickle Cell Society, said: “While there are undoubtedly workforce challenges across all parts of the health system, the evidence in this report suggests that sickle cell is disproportionately impacted as a result of the legacy of neglect of sickle cell care. “On behalf of everyone affected by sickle cell, we are urging NHS England to take action now to ensure all sickle cell patients have access to the specialist care they are entitled to.” Read full story Source: The Independent, 24 November 2023
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News Article
Murder-accused nurse sent card to grieving parents
Patient Safety Learning posted a news article in News
Nurse Lucy Letby sent a sympathy card to the grieving parents of a baby girl just weeks after she allegedly murdered the infant, a court has heard. She is accused of trying to kill the premature baby, referred to as Child I, three times before succeeding on a fourth attempt on 23 October 2015. She denies murdering seven babies and attempting to murder 10 others. Manchester Crown Court was shown an image of a condolence card Ms Letby sent to the family of Child I ahead of her funeral on 10 November. The card was titled "your loved one will be remembered with many smiles". Inside, Ms Letby wrote: "There are no words to make this time any easier. "It was a real privilege to care for [Child I] and get to know you as a family - a family who always put [Child I] first and did everything possible for her. "She will always be part of your lives and we will never forget her. "Thinking of you today and always. Lots of love Lucy x." It is alleged that before murdering Child I, Ms Letby attempted to kill the infant on 30 September and during night shifts on 12 and 13 October. The prosecution said she harmed the premature infant by injecting air into her feeding tube and bloodstream before she eventually died in the early hours of 23 October 2015. Read full story Source: BBC News, 2 February 2023 -
Content ArticleFatigue is a workplace hazard that affects the health and safety of patients, health care providers and the community. This blog from health tech company Cerner looks at the importance of managing fatigue in healthcare staff. The author suggests a three-step approach to lessen fatigue: Shift the culture of safety to include recognising and dealing with fatigue. Operationalise fatigue reduction measures within the organisation. Promote fatigue self-management through preventative strategies.
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Content ArticleFatigue in anaesthesia practice is often ignored or accepted as the norm due to persistent, high-intensity work demands and expectations. This document produced by the American Association of Nurse Anesthesiology (AANA) aims to provide guidance to healthcare professionals, healthcare facilities and nurse anaesthesia programs regarding sleep deprivation and fatigue. It provides evidence-based information that promotes fatigue management and work-life balance.
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Content ArticleThis chapter in Patient Safety and Quality: An Evidence-Based Handbook for Nurses outlines how fatigue and sleepiness impact on the performance of nurses and consequently on patient safety. It highlights safety practices that can be implemented to counter the effects of fatigue, including restrictions on working hours, napping, use of bright lights and exercise.
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Content ArticleThis study in the British Journal of Nursing aimed to explore whether fatigue, workload, burnout and the work environment can predict the perceptions of patient safety among critical care nurses in Oman. A cross-sectional predictive design was used on a sample of 270 critical care nurses from the two main hospitals in the country's capital, with a response rate of 90%. The authors found a negative correlation between fatigue and patient safety culture (r= -0.240), which indicates that fatigue has a detrimental effect on nurses' perceptions of safety. There was also a significant relationship between work environment, emotional exhaustion, depersonalisation, personal accomplishment and organisational patient safety culture. Regression analysis showed that fatigue, work environment, emotional exhaustion, depersonalisation and personal accomplishment were predictors for overall patient safety among critical care nurses.
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Content ArticleThis systematic review in the Western Journal of Nursing Research examined the relationship between hospital nurse fatigue and outcomes. The authors found that fatigue was consistently associated with mental health problems, decreased nursing performance and sickness absence. Many studies confirmed that nurse fatigue is negatively associated with nurse, patient-safety and organisational outcomes. The review also highlighted gaps in current knowledge and the need for future research using a longitudinal design and measuring additional outcomes to better understand the consequences of nurse fatigue.
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Content ArticleIn this video, Leah Coufal’s mother, Lenore Alexander, recounts the tragic story of her 12-year-old daughter’s preventable death in hospital in December 2002. Leah died from opioid-induced respiratory depression due to a lack of continuous postoperative monitoring which could have saved her life. Lenore now campaigns for the legal requirement to monitor patients on opioids after surgery.
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Content ArticleHow can leaders move from understanding to taking actions? Listen to the Dementia UK podcast on moral injury in nursing.
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Content ArticleYou can now watch the recording of the Nuffield Trust event: 'Does the rush for new types NHS staff have a dark side?'
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EventuntilHybrid Event: You can participate In-person at Dubai, UAE or virtually from your home or work. If you're interested in presenting your research work, case studies, experience or thesis, you can submit abstracts through an online submission portal. Program Objectives Highlight programs of research with strong relevance to nursing practice. How nurse educators can reinvigorate/revitalize/reignite their profession to strengthen our communities through inclusion, equality, and mental health support. Explore ways in which practice informs clinical nursing research. Describe examples of nursing research findings that have been meaningfully and successfully translated into practice. To provide opportunities to develop knowledge in nursing field Define the issue of providing nursing/case management services across state lines To foster and enhance collaborations and partnerships with educational, research and clinical institutes. 494977355_Nursing2023Brochure (1).pdf
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Content ArticleIn this interview for The Guardian, Pat Cullen, General Secretary of Royal College of Nursing (RCN), talks about how RCN members are being forced to use food banks, her frustration with the government and how she learned to be a tough negotiator. She discusses the issues that led to nurses balloting to strike—violence, sexual assault, unsafe staffing levels and pay that has not kept up with inflation—and outlines the difficult realities of being a nurse in the NHS. She also describes the negotiations with the Government, who according to Cullen, refused to discuss nurses' pay.
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News ArticleThousands of NHS operations and appointments have had to be cancelled because of the nurses' strikes in England this week. Over the two days, NHS England said 27,800 bookings had to be rescheduled, including 5,000 operations and treatments. There were more than 30 hospital trusts affected with some saying between 10% to 20% of normal activity was lost. They warned the dispute was hampering progress in reducing the backlog. Saffron Cordery, of NHS Providers, which represents hospital bosses, said the strike days caused "significant disruption" and were "some of the hardest" hospitals have had to cope with this winter. She said it would have a "big knock-on effect on efforts to tackle the backlog". "The ramifications go well beyond the day itself. We are deeply concerned by this pile-up of demand, which will only continue with more strikes on the horizon." Read full story Source: BBC News, 21 January 2023
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Content ArticleThis video from the Irish Health Services Executive (HSE) tells the story of Barry, a paediatric nurse who made a medication error when treating a critically ill baby. Barry describes how the incident and the management response to it affected his mental health and confidence over a long period of time. He also describes how he had to fight to ensure the family were told the full story of what had happened, and the positive relationship he developed with the baby's mother as a result. The baby received the treatment they needed and recovered well.
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News Article
Ambulance staff and nurses to strike on same day
Patient Safety Learning posted a news article in News
Ambulance workers are to join nurses in taking strike action on 6 February in England and Wales in what will be the biggest NHS walkout in this dispute. The GMB announced four new stoppages for ambulance staff - one of which coincides with a nurses' strike date. It is the first time both ambulance staff and the Royal College of Nursing (RCN) have acted on the same day. GMB national secretary Rachel Harrison said: "Ambulance workers are angry. Our message to the government is clear - talk pay now." The walkouts by staff including paramedics, call handlers and support workers in seven of the 10 English ambulance services along with the national Welsh service will take place on 6 and 20 February, and 6 and 20 March. Under trade union laws, both unions will have to provide emergency cover. But it raises the prospect of urgent 999 calls for falls not being responded to, and a huge chunk of pre-planned hospital care such as hernia repair, hip replacements or outpatient clinics not being done. Read full story Source: BBC News, 18 January 2023 -
News ArticlePatients will suffer if ministers bow to nurses’ demands for pay rises, the health secretary has warned as tens of thousands of NHS staff walk out on today. Steve Barclay told the Independent said any boost to wages would “take billions of pounds away from where we need it most”. He wrote: “Unaffordable pay hikes will mean cutting patient care and stoking the inflation that would make us all poorer.” Today tens of thousands of nurses will strike across 55 trusts. NHS data shows 4,567 operations and 25,009 outpatient appointments were cancelled during the nurse’s strikes on 15 and 20 December. The NHS also faces further ambulance strikes next Monday, which sources indicate will go ahead, and new strikes are to be announced for February by union GMB. The Royal College of Nursing (RCN) criticised Mr Barclay for “pitting nurses against patients”, branding the comments “a new low for the health secretary”. Read full story Source: The Guardian, 18 January 2023
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Content ArticleInadequate hand-off communication from hospital to skilled nursing facility (SNF) hinders SNF nurses’ ability to prepare for specific patient needs, including prescriptions for critical medications, such as controlled medications and intravenous (IV) antibiotics, resulting in delayed medication administration. This project, published in Patient Safety, aims to improve hand-off communication from hospital to SNF by utilising a standardised hand-off tool. Authors conclude that the use of standardised hand-off resulted in improved communication during the hospital-to-SNF hand-off and significantly decreased the wait time for the availability of prescriptions for controlled medications and IV antibiotics. Integrating standardised hand-off into the SNF policies can help sustain improved communication, medication management, and patient transition from hospital to SNF.
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News Article
Nurses' strike: New dates as union escalates dispute
Patient Safety Learning posted a news article in News
Two new nurses' strikes will be held on 6 and 7 February in England and Wales - unless there is movement on pay, the Royal College of Nursing says. The walkouts will be the biggest so far, with more than a third of NHS trusts in England and all but one Welsh health board affected. It comes as nurses prepare to walk out on Wednesday and Thursday, following the two strike days before Christmas. As required under trade union laws, emergency care will be covered. Most of the 73 NHS trusts involved in the new set of strike dates are hospitals. It means the biggest disruption is likely to be in pre-booked treatment such as hernia repair, hip replacements or outpatient clinics. Services such as chemotherapy, kidney dialysis and intensive care will be staffed, however, as part of the emergency cover. Read full story Source: BBC News, 16 January 2023 -
News Article
Wales coroner rules nurses’ Covid deaths as industrial disease
Patient Safety Learning posted a news article in News
The deaths of two nurses from Covid-19 in the early days of the pandemic have been ruled as industrial disease. Gareth Roberts, 65, of Aberdare, and Domingo David, 63, of Penarth, were found to have been most likely to have contracted the virus from colleagues or patients while working for hospitals under the Cardiff and Vale University Health Board. The senior coroner Graeme Hughes concluded on Friday that although they were given appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE), Roberts and David were “exposed to Covid-19 infection at work, became infected and that infection caused” their deaths. He made a finding of industrial disease. Roberts’ family had argued for a conclusion of industrial disease, while the health board had made the case for ruling that both deaths were from natural causes. Unions are campaigning for Covid-19 to be considered an industrial disease by the UK government so workers affected by it would receive greater financial support. Read full story Source: The Guardian, 13 January 2023 -
Content ArticleWatch this short video to learn how Nurse Climate Champions are using the Nurses Climate Challenge resources to educate their colleagues about climate and health.
