stagger in the street. He was often mistaken for a drunk and we found this deeply distressing. We got him into a routine of dressing, eating meals and walking for the paper at the same time each day. Familiarity and set routines vastly improved his confidence, mood and wellbeing. Naomi Lyth, Watford

REHABILITATION CARE FOR A CLOSE FRIEND PROVED TO BE ABYSMAL Thanks to staff nurse Emma Bowles for her article on cerebral aneurysm and aneurysmal subarachnoid haemorrhage (Continuing Professional Development April 23). In her introduction, she refers to the significant financial burden on the NHS and on community and rehabilitation services to meet the long-term care needs of these patients. A close friend in his forties had an aneurysmal subarachnoid haemorrhage three years ago. He survived surgery, platinum endovascular coiling and a period of intensive care in a London teaching hospital, where the care was excellent. He was then transferred to a regional neurological rehabilitation unit, where he remained for many months. The care at this unit was abysmal. There was no joined-up thinking between the hospital and social services, and the discharge planning was calamitous. He was discharged back to his flat before the adaptations had been completed, most of his possessions were lost in transit and the care workers failed to turn up. It was left to friends to pick up the pieces, particularly after a number of falls and emergency hospital readmissions and discharges. My friend’s distressing circumstances and poor quality of life became too much for me to deal with, and I walked away. Name and address supplied

HANDHELD DEVICES COULD HELP TO DIAGNOSE ASTHMA MORE EFFICIENTLY Airway inflammation is the primary cause of the symptoms of asthma

NURSING STANDARD

(News April 9). The amount of nitric oxide in exhaled breath is a biomarker of this inflammatory process that can be used to treat the condition. The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence has said that nurses and other clinicians should conduct nitric oxide testing to help diagnose and manage asthma. Handheld devices such as NIOX MINO, NIOX VERO and NObreath can detect fractional exhaled nitric oxide and help determine the best medication and manage patients’ symptoms. They help cut hospital admissions. Not having to undergo additional testing will decrease costs and help improve patient confidence. Improved quality of life should include no hospital admissions, obtaining appropriate medication earlier and good symptom management. By using these devices we can prevent under-diagnosis and have a positive effect on the lives of patients. Michaela Iveson, health studies student, Utica College,Utica, New York, United States

IS HERPES ZOSTER VACCINE FREE FOR NURSES OR WILL WE HAVE TO PAY? In her article on varicella zoster virus – chickenpox and shingles (CPD April 16), Dinah Gould writes that since September, a live attenuated vaccine (Zostavax) for herpes zoster has been offered to people in the UK aged 70-79. Only one dose is necessary, no boosters are required and no side effects have been reported. Adults under the age of 70 who wish to receive the vaccine can pay for it at a private clinic. Sanofi Pasteur MSD, which markets Zostavax in the UK, made 60,000 doses available in the UK on private prescription, at a cost to patients of £99.96. I recently enquired about the vaccine and have been quoted the figure of £295. Quite a hike in price. Are nurses at risk of being offered the vaccine free of charge, or are they expected to pay? Carol Piggott, by email

TWEETS OF THE WEEK Fab four questions for nurses: What do you do all day? Why do you do it? How can you do it better? What positive differences do you make? @PDarbyshire

Who else is going to @NScomment #NurseAwards on May 9? @AgencyNurse

Are clinical commissioning groups coping with the changes in the NHS? gu.com/p/3zgc6/tw @nhs_supporters

How has spending on UK healthcare changed since 2000? Our report with @NuffieldTrust takes a look bit.ly/1qqjAQm – pic.twitter.com/93ZlzLHeZr @HealthFdn

@NuffieldTrust: Read new chief executive @nedwards_1’s first blog ‘We need solutions, not problems’ ow.ly/vTH8w. So true @katharinegale

A cough for three weeks or more could be a sign of #lungcancer. Please share and help improve early diagnosis nhs.uk/lungcancer @ManchesterCCGs

£10 million spent pursuing a single NHS whistleblower pic.twitter.com/9R9a2DXIVE @garywalkeruk

#marchfortheNHS Speak up for fantastic #nhs workers. For social responsibility. Register to march 999callfornhs.org.uk @999CallforNHS

Follow Nursing Standard @NScomment and join the #NScomment chat on Thursdays at 12.30pm april 30 :: vol 28 no 35 :: 2014  35 

Downloaded from RCNi.com by ${individualUser.displayName} on Nov 23, 2015. For personal use only. No other uses without permission. Copyright © 2015 RCNi Ltd. All rights reserved.

Is herpes zoster vaccine free for nurses or will we have to pay?

Is herpes zoster vaccine free for nurses or will we have to pay? - PDF Download Free
194KB Sizes 2 Downloads 4 Views