How to help in a heatwave GUIDANCE FOR healthcare professionals on managing the potentially life-threatening effects of this year’s predicted heatwave has been released. The Heatwave Plan for 2014, a joint venture between government bodies such as Public Health England (PHE) and the Department of Health, sets out what health and social care professionals should do during hot weather. Head of the Extreme Events Section at PHE Angie Bone said: ‘It is important that health and social care organisations, councils and those who work with vulnerable people consider the potential impact of hot weather and plan accordingly.’ ■■ Copies of the Heatwave Plan are available at tinyurl.com/pa9xygl
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Plans to protect the public in hot weather have been issued
Public satisfaction falls to lowest level in past six years LEVELS OF satisfaction with emergency services among patients has dropped by six percentage points, from 59% in 2012 to 53% last year, according to British Social Attitudes survey data. Published by the King’s Fund, the figures show that public satisfaction with emergency services was at its lowest level since 2008 and was the lowest satisfaction rate of any NHS service in 2013. In contrast, satisfaction with hospital outpatient services climbed to a record high of 67%, while satisfaction with inpatient services jumped six percentage points to 58%.
Urgent care nurses Treat near-syncope as seriously as syncope given pioneering role THE URGENT care of patients with near The overall rate of adverse events, in advanced practice loss of consciousness should be taken as including myocardial infarction or even HEALTH MINISTER Edwin Poots made clear last month that he expects emergency nurses to take the lead in advanced practice in Northern Ireland. Speaking at the RCN Northern Ireland Nurse of the Year ceremony in Holywood, County Down, Mr Poots set out his view that nursing is an untapped resource and that nurses’ skills are transferable to all areas of practice. He said that he expects to see up to 20 advanced nurse practitioners in Northern Irish emergency departments in the near future, and that the role will be transferred to children’s services and primary care. Addressing nurses at the ceremony, he said: ‘I rely on you to continue to be part of the solution and, in return, I am committed to ensuring that you have the resources required to do your job, whether that be numbers, education or information technology solutions.’ He concluded: ‘The people of Northern Ireland are proud of their nurses and appreciate your core values. The principles of good nursing practice remain unchanged: care, compassion, dignity and respect.’ EMERGENCY NURSE
seriously as that of patients who have lost consciousness, a study suggests. According to researchers at Nuremberg Hospital, up to 3% of consultations at one emergency department concern sudden near or complete loss of consciousness. To assess the frequency and prognostic significance of near syncope and syncope, the authors gathered data about the care of 395 patients, of whom 62% had lost consciousness and 38% had nearly lost consciousness.
Guidance on severe constipation in children released A QUALITY standard to reduce the number of children attending emergency departments (EDs) with severe constipation has been issued by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE). Up to 30% of children and young people experience bowel problems and, of those who are treated in hospital, nearly 80% are admitted through EDs.
sudden death, during follow up was high, at 32%. Characteristics, comorbidities, risk profiles, prognoses, and type and frequency of event, were similar among both groups. The authors therefore recommend that patients with near loss of consciousness be examined with the same thoroughness as those who lose consciousness completely. Find out more The paper can be read at tinyurl.com/obcdu3l
Hounslow and Richmond Community Healthcare NHS Trust specialist health visitor Lynne Watson, a member of the expert group that produced the standard, said: ‘We have drawn together six concise statements to give health professionals a framework to work from.’ The statements concern taking histories, performing examinations, prescribing laxatives and arranging reviews. Find out more The NICE quality standard on constipation is available at tinyurl.com/lxzlfnx June 2014 | Volume 22 | Number 3
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Science Photo Library
News
Plans to protect the public in hot weather have been issued
Public satisfaction falls to lowest level in past six years LEVELS OF satisfaction with emergency services among patients has dropped by six percentage points, from 59% in 2012 to 53% last year, according to British Social Attitudes survey data. Published by the King’s Fund, the figures show that public satisfaction with emergency services was at its lowest level since 2008 and was the lowest satisfaction rate of any NHS service in 2013. In contrast, satisfaction with hospital outpatient services climbed to a record high of 67%, while satisfaction with inpatient services jumped six percentage points to 58%.
Urgent care nurses Treat near-syncope as seriously as syncope given pioneering role THE URGENT care of patients with near The overall rate of adverse events, in advanced practice loss of consciousness should be taken as including myocardial infarction or even HEALTH MINISTER Edwin Poots made clear last month that he expects emergency nurses to take the lead in advanced practice in Northern Ireland. Speaking at the RCN Northern Ireland Nurse of the Year ceremony in Holywood, County Down, Mr Poots set out his view that nursing is an untapped resource and that nurses’ skills are transferable to all areas of practice. He said that he expects to see up to 20 advanced nurse practitioners in Northern Irish emergency departments in the near future, and that the role will be transferred to children’s services and primary care. Addressing nurses at the ceremony, he said: ‘I rely on you to continue to be part of the solution and, in return, I am committed to ensuring that you have the resources required to do your job, whether that be numbers, education or information technology solutions.’ He concluded: ‘The people of Northern Ireland are proud of their nurses and appreciate your core values. The principles of good nursing practice remain unchanged: care, compassion, dignity and respect.’ EMERGENCY NURSE
seriously as that of patients who have lost consciousness, a study suggests. According to researchers at Nuremberg Hospital, up to 3% of consultations at one emergency department concern sudden near or complete loss of consciousness. To assess the frequency and prognostic significance of near syncope and syncope, the authors gathered data about the care of 395 patients, of whom 62% had lost consciousness and 38% had nearly lost consciousness.
Guidance on severe constipation in children released A QUALITY standard to reduce the number of children attending emergency departments (EDs) with severe constipation has been issued by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE). Up to 30% of children and young people experience bowel problems and, of those who are treated in hospital, nearly 80% are admitted through EDs.
sudden death, during follow up was high, at 32%. Characteristics, comorbidities, risk profiles, prognoses, and type and frequency of event, were similar among both groups. The authors therefore recommend that patients with near loss of consciousness be examined with the same thoroughness as those who lose consciousness completely. Find out more The paper can be read at tinyurl.com/obcdu3l
Hounslow and Richmond Community Healthcare NHS Trust specialist health visitor Lynne Watson, a member of the expert group that produced the standard, said: ‘We have drawn together six concise statements to give health professionals a framework to work from.’ The statements concern taking histories, performing examinations, prescribing laxatives and arranging reviews. Find out more The NICE quality standard on constipation is available at tinyurl.com/lxzlfnx June 2014 | Volume 22 | Number 3
Downloaded from RCNi.com by ${individualUser.displayName} on Nov 22, 2015. For personal use only. No other uses without permission. Copyright © 2015 RCNi Ltd. All rights reserved.
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