Welcome to the College of Nurses – News Update.
No. 134, Wednesday 19 December 2012
Next Wednesday is Boxing Day and there will be no news bulletin update. The next bulletin will be due on January 2 and will be dependent on news published during that period. Thanks for reading throughout the year, and wishing you all a happy and restful break.
From NZ media this week
Diabetes Nurse Specialist Prescribing Media Release Questions and Answers
How did DNS prescribing come about?Minister of Health Hon Tony Ryall endorsed the managed roll-out of diabetes nurse prescribing across the country following a successful demonstration in four centres in 2010-11.
http://www.healthworkforce.govt.nz/new-roles-and-scopes/diabetes-nurse-specialist-prescribing/dns-prescribing-media-release-qas
Extra nurse will mean better service for Hutt diabetes patients
News from NZ Government
Hutt Valley people with diabetes should be finding it easier to get the medication they need – by seeing a diabetes nurse specialist for their usual prescription, instead of their GP. Hutt Valley DHB has taken on another diabetes nurse specialist able to write prescriptions for patients as part of a multi-disciplinary health team. This brings the total number of diabetes nurse specialists at Hutt who can prescribe to three.
http://wellington.scoop.co.nz/?p=51250
Student nurse wins poster competition
A final-year degree student at EIT, Kaylia Byford has made a mark in the nursing profession with her recent win in a national research poster competition.
http://www.voxy.co.nz/health/student-nurse-wins-poster-competition/5/143260
Relief for suspended nurse
A nurse whose registration was suspended for three years after he formed a long term sexual relationship with a vulnerable patient has had his suspension rduced to 18 months.
http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/health/8070890/Relief-for-suspended-nurse
Nurse struck off after two convictions
A New Plymouth nurse has been censured and struck off as a result of being convicted of fraud and assault last year.
http://www.stuff.co.nz/taranaki-daily-news/news/8072683/Nurse-struck-off-after-two-convictions
New Web Tool Makes Accessing Local Health Information Easier
Accessing health information in your region is now easier following the launch of new health web tool,My DHB, says Health Minister Tony Ryall.
http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/GE1212/S00053/new-web-tool-makes-accessing-local-health-information-easier.htm
For more than half a million New Zealanders, arthritis is a health priority
Arthritis New Zealand challenges the Ministry of Health’s statement in this week’s health survey that arthritis is declining. The survey confirms there are about 530,000 people in New Zealand who are living with arthritis. That is about three times the number of people in New Zealand who are living with diabetes, and a similar number to those who have mental health conditions. Despite this number, which - contrary to the Ministry’s comments - has stayed stable, arthritis is not yet a health priority, despite the health toll.
http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/GE1212/S00063/arthritis-a-health-priority-for-half-a-million-new-zealaners.htm
Royal New Zealand College of GPs cautiously welcomes pharmacist prescribing
The Royal New Zealand College of General Practitioners cautiously welcomes today’s announcement that some pharmacists will be able to prescribe medication under changes to be made to the Medicines Act and the Misuse of Drugs Act.
http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/GE1212/S00065/gps-cautiously-welcome-pharmacist-prescribing.htm
Doctors face disease dilemma
New Zealand's health system will need to find new ways of dealing with the growing number of people suffering from kidney disease, two retiring Christchurch kidney specialists say.
http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/health/8087428/Doctors-face-disease-dilemma
Streamlined rest home auditing to be introduced in 2013
associate minister of health Jo Goodhew
Monday 17 December 2012, 2:25PM
Associate Health Minister Jo Goodhew announced today that streamlined auditing of rest homes, saving up to six hours for each audit, will be introduced from 1 January 2013.
http://www.nzdoctor.co.nz/un-doctored/2012/december-2012/17/streamlined-rest-home-auditing-to-be-introduced-in-2013.aspx
National Party tweet offends doctors and nurses
Medical professionals have taken offence at a graphic on the National Party website which suggests all doctors are men and all nurses, women.
http://www.3news.co.nz/National-Party-tweet-offends-doctors-and-nurses/tabid/1607/articleID/280839/Default.aspx#ixzz2FQT8RWWX
DHB specific
Co-operation brings rewards
A relationship initiated by Waikato District Health Board staff and community health workers in the Huntly area has paved the way for better access to health services for Maori.
http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/GE1212/S00058/co-operation-brings-rewards.htm
Cutting edge medical treatments trialled at Tauranga Hospital
Exciting new clinical studies are taking place at Tauranga Hospital, as new treatments are trialled and tested for illnesses such as gout and breast cancer.
http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/GE1212/S00075/cutting-edge-medical-treatment-trialled-at-tauranga-hospital.htm
Centre loses DHB contract
More than 220 Southland support workers are waiting to hear why the Disability Resource Centre Southland's $2.5 million contract with the Southern District Health Board is being dropped after 15 years.
http://www.stuff.co.nz/southland-times/news/8096844/Centre-loses-DHB-contract
International media
Tonga’s first ever Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing will graduate tomorrow from the University of Sydney
Doctor Amelia Latu Afuha'amango Tu'ipulotu's graduation ceremony will be attended by visiting dignitaries of the small Polynesian Kingdom of Tonga, including the Chief Nurse of Tonga, also an alumna of the University of Sydney. They are expected to mark the important national event with a traditional ceremony in the University's prestigious Quadrangle.
http://www.nzdoctor.co.nz/un-doctored/2012/december-2012/13/tonga%E2%80%99s-first-ever-doctor-of-philosophy-in-nursing-will-graduate-tomorrow-from-the-university-of-sydney.aspx
Ohio State to open nurse-led clinic at University Hospital East
Ohio State University’s College of Nursing is stepping directly into clinical care with the planned January opening of the school’s first nurse-led clinic.
http://www.bizjournals.com/columbus/blog/2012/12/ohio-state-to-open-nurse-led-clinic-at.html
When the Doctor Is Not Needed (USA)
There is already a shortage of doctors in many parts of the United States. The expansion of health care coverage to millions of uninsured Americans under the Affordable Care Act will make that shortage even worse. Expanding medical schools and residency programs could help in the long run
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/12/16/opinion/sunday/when-the-doctor-is-not-needed.html?_r=0
Safe staffing tools and hotline to be introduced in Scotland
A hotline for Scottish NHS staff to raise concerns is to be trialed and it will become mandatory for employers to use a new suite of workforce planning tools to ensure staffing levels are safe, ministers have announced.
http://www.nursingtimes.net/5052474.article?referrer=e1
Ireland : HSE to Recruit 1,000 Graduate Nurses and Midwives
The HSE is pleased to announce that approval has been received from Government to recruit up to 1,000 graduate nurses and midwives to the public health services in early 2013.
http://www.hse.ie/eng/services/News/graduatenurses.html
Study: Nurse-Family Partnership doesn’t reduce injuries
The Nurse-Family Partnership, one of the nation’s largest programs providing home visitation support for at-risk mothers and children, may not be as successful in reducing early childhood injuries as it was in earlier evaluations, according to one study.
http://news.nurse.com/article/20121213/NATIONAL02/112170010
Public health
Child obesity problems upsized
The number of clinically overweight children aged under 10 being seen by a Tauranga dietitian has increased fourfold in two years.
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/health/news/article.cfm?c_id=204&objectid=10854645
Christchurch infant dies from whooping cough
A whooping cough epidemic sweeping the country has claimed the life of a 6-week-old Christchurch baby.
http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/health/8072614/Christchurch-infant-dies-from-whooping-cough
Mother finds whooping cough diagnosis hard to pin down
A series of GPs failed to diagnose potentially life-threatening whooping cough in two young children, raising concerns about awareness of the disease.
http://www.stuff.co.nz/taranaki-daily-news/news/8078424/Mother-finds-whooping-cough-diagnosis-hard-to-pin-down
Pill for kids on cards
The "morning after" pill to prevent pregnancy could be made free to children as young as 12 next year.
http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/health/8078521/Pill-for-kids-on-cards
Baby deaths prompt warning on safe sleeping
Coroner recommends Ministry of Health lead initiative to develop national guideline.
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10854967
Baby test scandal
Hearing monitors checked themselves instead of infants. 2000 children in recall after review finds 'irregularities'.
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10854975
Bay of Plenty shellfish poisoning count climbs
Health officials say a paralytic shellfish poison outbreak in the Bay of Plenty is the worst in the region's history, with 20 people poisoned in the past week.
http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/health/8095636/Bay-of-Plenty-shellfish-poisoning-count-climbs
Health and wellbeing
Being breast aware: What you need to know
New Zealand Breast Cancer Foundation. (2012). Auckland: Author.
A new, interactive e-guide that will make it easy for women of all ages, throughout New Zealand, to know the signs and symptoms of breast cancer and how they can reduce their risk of dying of the disease.
http://www.nzbcf.org.nz/e-guide/
Nutrition for Menopause
During menopause, levels of the hormones oestrogen and progesterone decrease significantly. As hormone levels decrease, the risk for osteoporosis and heart disease increases. In addition, a number of physical symptoms are associated with fluctuating hormone levels; these include hot flashes, depression, anxiety, and difficulty concentrating. Nutritional needs for menopausal woman are different than those of younger women. Nutrients that protect the skeleton and cardiovascular system, as well as those that help improve brain function and reduce menopausal symptoms should be emphasized.
http://www.ausmed.com.au/blog/entry/nutrition-for-menopause
Articles of interest
What do you do? Perceptions of nurse manager responsibilitiesNursing Management
December 2012
Volume 43 Number 12
Pages 24 - 29In the face of healthcare reform, hospitals struggle to find ways of providing safer, better quality care using fewer resources. Since a hospital's nursing staff is its largest and most costly resource, many organizations spend much of their time and energy trying to maximize the productivity of frontline nurses. Inescapably, these organizations are drawn to the role of the frontline nurse manager, who's the fulcrum on which staff engagement, productivity, quality outcomes, and positive experiences rest.1-6
http://www.nursingcenter.com/prodev/ce_article.asp?tid=1469511&Journal_ID=54013&Issue_ID=1469170&utm_source=WhatCountsEmail&utm_medium=Nursing%20Management%20eNews&utm_campaign=NM%20eNews:%20%20December%202012
Increasing Nurses’ Access to Evidence through a Web-Based Resource
JONA: Journal of Nursing Administration, November 2012 Discover the results at one institution when, after assessing nurses' attitudes and use of evidence resources, a Web was site was created to provide a central location for accessing and using evidence.
http://www.nursingcenter.com/evidencebasedpracticenetwork/JournalArticle.aspx?Article_ID=1454126&utm_source=WhatCountsEmail&utm_medium=EBP%20Insider&utm_campaign=EBP%20Insider:%20%20November%202012
5% of Aussies working in aged care by 2050
There is no doubt that Australians love to be “one up” on New Zealanders. If they can claim a product of NZ as their own, they will, be it horses (Phar Lap), desserts (Pavlova), or a music band (Crowded House).
http://www.ausmed.com.au/blog/entry/5-of-australians-working-in-aged-care-by-2050?utm_source=Newsletters&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=20121206-Member_newsletter%20(1)&utm_content=&spMailingID=5221137&spUserID=OTE5NzMzMzg0OAS2&spJobID=60110007&spReportId=NjAxMTAwMDcS1
Speaking the Same Language: Go beyond the label!!
Imagine your mom has been admitted to the emergency room for shortness of breath and chest pain. She has her tests done, is assessed by her nurse and her doctor, and they come in to tell both of you what they think is happening. You tell them both you and your mom are nurses, thinking that will help them to explain things more completely.
http://nandainternational.typepad.com/nanda-international/2012/09/index.html
Clinical nursing assignments: are we teaching the most important skills?
One of the most interesting things about my role as Executive Director of NANDA International, is that I get a lot of questions from nurses and students who are working with NANDA-I nursing diagnoses. Many of the questions seem to revolve around the same general theme: the students are given a brief history of the patient they are to see the next day in clinical, with the assignment: develop a plan of care based on that data for the following day's clinical unit.
http://nandainternational.typepad.com/nanda-international/2012/08/index.html
Decreasing Central Line Infections and Needlestick Injury Rates: Combining Best Practice and Introducing a Luer-Activated Intravenous Therapy System and Antimicrobial Intravenous ConnectorJournal of Infusion Nursing
December 2012
Volume 35 Number 6
Pages 370 – 375The purpose of this study was to evaluate the impact of practice and intravenous (IV) therapy product changes on central line infections (CLIs) and needlestick injuries. Data were collected in 2009 and 2010 for 1 year before and after implementation of practice and product changes. Statistical significance was noted when comparing CLIs before and after implementation of an antimicrobial IV connector. The number of needlestick injuries also decreased by 12% during this time. Study results support ongoing clinical practice monitoring and education as well as the use of a luer-activated IV therapy system and an antimicrobial IV connector.
http://www.nursingcenter.com/lnc/JournalArticle?Article_ID=1460841&Journal_ID=237151&Issue_ID=1460825&utm_source=WhatCountsEmail&utm_medium=NursingCenter%20eNews&utm_campaign=NC%20eNews:%20%20December%202012,%20Issue%201
Reports online
Living Well with Chronic Illness: A Call for Public Health Action
From the Institute of Medicine: The epidemic of chronic illness – which represents 75 percent of the $2 trillion in annual U.S. health care spending – is steadily moving toward crisis proportions, yet maintaining or enhancing quality of life for individuals living with these illnesses has not been given the attention it deserves. Longevity is no longer the only goal as more focus is placed on living a long and healthy life.The CDC and the nonprofit Arthritis Foundation asked the IOM to help identify ways to reduce disability and improve the function and quality of life for people living with chronic illness. The report lays out a comprehensive framework intended as a guide to develop and implement cross-cutting strategies that reduce the individual and societal burdens of chronic illness by helping people with chronic illnesses live well. The IOM makes recommendations to the CDC as well as HHS on the development and support of programs to meet the health and social needs of people living with chronic illnesses.
http://www.josseybasspublichealth.com/Community-Health/living-well-with-chronic-illness-a-call-for-public-health-action.aspx
From the Ministry of Health
New Zealand Health Survey Methodology Report
Published online: 12 December 2012This methodology report details the procedures and protocols followed to ensure the New Zealand Health Survey produced the high-quality and robust data expected of official statistics.Included is information regarding:The target population and sampling frameData collection and quality controlFinal response ratesData processingTechnical notes for analysisInformation specific to the data collection and analysis of the New Zealand Health Survey in 2011/12 is included in the report.
http://www.health.govt.nz/publication/new-zealand-health-survey-methodology-report
Rising to the Challenge: The Mental Health and Addiction Service Development Plan 2012–2017
Rising to the Challenge: The Mental Health and Addiction Service Development Plan 2012–2017 (the Plan) provides a strong vision to guide the mental health and addiction sector, as well as clear direction to planners, funders and providers of mental health and addiction services on Government priority areas for service development over the next five years. The Plan focuses on four key areas:making better use of resourcesimproving integration bewteen primary and secondary servicescementing and building on gains for people with high needsdelivering increased access for all age groups (with a focus on infants, children and youth, older people and adults with common mental health and addiction disorders such as anxiety and depression.
http://www.health.govt.nz/publication/rising-challenge-mental-health-and-addiction-service-development-plan-2012-2017
Online resources
See Psoriasis: Look Deeper - Recognising the Life Impacts of Psoriasis
We teamed up with the Psoriasis Association to produce this report which explores the mental health issues affecting people with psoriasis. The publication includes research, statistics and postcards sent by people with psoriasis explaining how their condition affects their everyday life.
http://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/publications/see-psoriasis-look-deeper/
Injury factsheets – cultural strategies
(2012). Auckland: Injury Prevention Centre.
The first is a snapshot of injury in New Zealand, the second gives an overview of injury to Māori, and the third is an overview of injury to Pacific Peoples.
http://ipnanz.org.nz/page.php?p=159
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 Tuesday 18 December 2012
If you have any feedback about content - what parts are most useful or what you would like added - please email admin@nurse.org.nz
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