Welcome to the College of Nurses – News Update.
No. 70 – 14 September 2011
From NZ media this week
Half of health workers reject free flu jabs
Free flu jabs were shunned by more than half the staff offered them at district health boards this year, prompting fears…http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10750740
Evaluation shows callers find Mental Health Line a valuable service
People using the Mental Health Line service say it helps them to get better control of the situation they’re in before it gets any worse.
http://bit.ly/pr0JY0
Lack of trained interpreter use may affect patients and doctors
Two studies by the University of Otago, Wellington, have shown that the use of trained interpreters by doctors and health professionals in New Zealand is inadequate, and needs more funding.
http://bit.ly/nnP1jT
Rural-clinics-pay-big-to-lure-GPsMedical clinics in Southland are scrambling to pay top dollar for lifestyle perks to attract doctors to rural clinics, plus a hefty fee to overseas recruitment agencies.
http://bit.ly/mVokRY
Taranaki DHB trials electronic tool to reduce medication errors
Taranaki District Health Board is trialling a new electronic tool to help reduce medication errors.
http://bit.ly/nh4aK2
'Hot desks' give better access to patients
Two "clinical hot desks" are set to open in Tararua, making it easier for medical professionals to get to patients.
http://bit.ly/n9uPcn
Details still hazy in rural nurse training initiative
A ministerial announcement about a rural nurse training initiative has caused some confusion in the nurse education sector
http://bit.ly/pshWUR
Comprehensive clinical assessments coming for rest homes
The Government has announced an $11 million partnership with the country's rest
http://bit.ly/n0llzl
Making healthcare easier
Taking child healthcare to the streets and parks is helping reach young kids and their parents who often miss out, discovers Rowena Orejana.
http://www.theaucklander.co.nz/news/making-healthcare-easier/1096042/
From international media sources
Nursing 'lost its way' in bid to recruit numbers, says CNO
UPDATED: Chief nursing officer Dame Christine Beasley has told the Mid Staffordshire public inquiry that nursing “lost its way” as not enough attention was paid to the “values” of new entrants to the profession during the recruitment drive at the turn of the century.
http://www.nursingtimes.net/5034726.article?referrer=e1
Peer issues warning over language skills of 'Eastern Bloc' nurses
Fertility expert and television presenter Lord Robert Winston has courted controversy by warning about the potential risks to healthcare posed by nurses with poor command of English.
http://www.nursingtimes.net/5034772.article?referrer=e1
Vital role of PNs in diabetes checks highlighted
Nurses have a crucial role in ensuring with diabetes do not miss vital health checks, according to health charity Diabetes UK.
http://mail.nursingtimes.net/a/hBOacsFB7gYBnB8V5osNshWWRIz/pns6
Research Review Finds Simulation An Effective Way To Train Health Care Professionals
An analysis led by Mayo Clinic researchers found that simulation-based training is an effective way to teach physicians, nurses, dentists, emergency medical technicians and other health professionals...
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/releases/233964.php
Fewer Guns More Nurses Needed to Combat ED Violence
The Australian Nursing Federation’s (ANF) Victorian branch claims that having more nurses in hospital EDs will help decrease the number of violent incidents. The ANF says that increasing the number of armed security guards at hospitals will not have the same impact on preventing violence as increasing the number of frontline nursing staff.
http://bit.ly/poNZsr
Canberra Hospital Facing Extreme Nursing Shortages
Overworked nurses in Canberra Hospital are at risk of burn-out, and their patients are at risk of being placed in unsafe clinical environments. The Australian Nursing Federation (ANF) ACT branch claims that the hospital is experiencing a 5% vacancy rate of its 2,000 nursing staff, forcing the nurses that are there to fill in the gaps.
http://bit.ly/nav535
Calling Nurses To Exercise As Role Models For Their Patients
Nurses, just like many of their patients, struggle to find time and motivation to exercise. But a new study may give these all-important caregivers some additional pressure and responsibility: nurses' attitudes can influence whether their patients commit to a healthy lifestyle.
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/releases/233649.php
Nurses least likely frontline NHS staff to have flu jab
Nurses and midwives are among health workers least likely to get seasonal flu jabs, reveals new data published by the Department of Health today.
http://www.nursingtimes.net/5034615.article?referrer=e26
Nursing courses face axe at London universities
England’s biggest funder of adult nurse training has decided to cut places by nearly a quarter, leaving the future of some of the best known nursing courses in doubt.
http://www.nursingtimes.net/5034529.article?referrer=e1
Public health
'Toxic tide' of booze takes deadly toll
More than one young New Zealander under 25 is dying every week from "a toxic tide" of alcohol-related causes, an official… http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10750204
Meningococcal-spate-hits-Northland
A spate of meningococcal cases in Northland has authorities on the verge of declaring an outbreak.
http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/health/5585617/Meningococcal-spate-hits-Northland
Funding boost to help defeat killer disease
A local health initiative to combat rheumatic fever has proved so successful it's prompted the Government to inject $12 million to expand the programme here and develop it across at least six other regions.
http://bit.ly/nzGLmW
Computers and social networking
What is Linked In good for anyway?
The thought of LinkedIn, Twitter and other social networks can eat away at the conscience of executives who have yet to explore this unfamiliar world.Don’t worry, it’s never too late to make a start on that LinkedIn profile – and you’ll probably find the whole experience more satisfying and far more useful than you ever imagined.
http://ennclick.com/blog/what-is-linked-in
Websites of interest
National Nursing Staff Development Organization
The purpose of NNSDO is to foster the art and science of nursing staff development, promote the image and professional status of nursing staff development, encourage and support nursing research and application of research findings in practice, and provide a platform for nurses engaged in staff development practice to discuss issues and make decisions related to the continuing evolution of the field of nursing staff development.
https://www.nnsdo.org/
Articles of interest
Improving Patient Safety Through Communication
Author George Bernard Shaw once said, “The single biggest problem in communication is the illusion that it has taken place.” In personal relationships, communication problems can be detrimental; in health care settings, they can be downright dangerous. Thankfully, health care technology has advanced in such a way that communication among providers--and between providers, patients and their loved ones--has become much easier.
http://bit.ly/qZ8qOl
Safety by Design
Given the relentless demands placed on EDs, a soothing ambience and improved efficiency may seem like minor luxuries. But well-designed environments can make an ED safer and healthier for patients and staff.
http://news.nurse.com/article/20110818/ED01/110818001
The Healing Power of Touch
In hospitals and long-term care facilities, nurses are reviving the ancient practice of hands-on healing. The power of touch is increasingly complementing conventional treatments at hospitals and healthcare offices throughout the world.
http://news.nurse.com/article/20110818/ED02/110818002
Reports online
The involvement of alcohol consumption in the deaths of children and young people in New Zealand during the years 2005 – 2007 – is available on the Health Quality & Safety Commission’s website at www.hqsc.govt.nz and the CYMRC website at www.cymrc.health.govt.nz
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 14 September 2011
If you have any feedback about content - what parts are most useful or what you would like added - please email admin@nurse.org.nz
Back to blog entries
Menu