Welcome to the College of Nurses – News Update.
No. 220 Wednesday 17 September 2014
From NZ media this week
Nurses support Poisons Centre
The New Zealand Nurses Union has issued a position statement calling for Dunedin's National Poisons Centre to be saved.
The centre faces amalgamation with other help lines, its fate being determined in a drawn-out Ministry of Health process to determine how a new service would be configured.
http://www.odt.co.nz/news/dunedin/315929/nurses-support-poisons-centre
Lecturer's story inspires students
Sione Vaka got more of a buzz than he bargained for when he headed out to Otahuhu College last week to talk to students about Tongan myths and legends.
http://www.stuff.co.nz/auckland/10499910/Lecturers-story-inspires-students
Hospice needs nurse
A load shared is a load halved with the help of Totara Hospice South Auckland, Judy Paterson reckons.
http://www.stuff.co.nz/auckland/local-news/eastern-courier/10486468/Hospice-needs-nurse
‘Call to action on climate change and health’ from health organisations
Ten New Zealand health organisations have released a joint ‘Call to Action on Climate Change and Health’ today.
http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/GE1409/S00080/call-to-action-on-climate-change-and-health.htm
More children using after-hours care
Lower costs for after hours clinics have led to more Auckland-based children under six using their services, new research says.
http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/health/10482043/More-children-using-after-hours-care
Essential skills list under review
The ability to employ doctors and nurses from overseas to fill New Zealand vacancies is under review.
http://www.odt.co.nz/news/farming/315612/essential-skills-list-under-review
Midwives shun flu jab
Midwives work with the most vulnerable people in our community, yet recent figures show many of them are choosing not to be immunised against influenza.
http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/health/10486819/Midwives-shun-flu-jab
Project aims to help NZers with hearing problems
A major University of Canterbury research project, which today received a $1 million Government funding boost, aims to help many of the 500,000 New Zealanders who are deaf and have hearing problems.
http://www.voxy.co.nz/health/project-aims-help-nzers-hearing-problems/5/201909
Lack of GPs could threaten community health
Low levels of interest in becoming a GP could threaten community health as the population ages, medical research suggests.
http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/health/10488913/Lack-of-GPs-could-threaten-community-health
Health system too slow for new technology
National Health Committee assessments can be so time consuming new technology can find its way into the health system before they are completed, a new report has found.
http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/health/10496631/Health-system-too-slow-for-new-technology
From international media sources this week
Samoa nurses urges link to American Samoa
The president of Samoa's Nurses Association, Taulapapa Faamanatu Nielsen, has called for closer ties with its American Samoa counterpart after they were severed over 20 years ago.
http://www.radionz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/254743/samoa-nurses-urges-link-to-american-samoa
Nurses Cut Steps to Care
Henry Mayo Newhall Hospital has completed a pilot and utilizes Mobile Heartbeat CURE (Clinical Urgent REsponse) smartphone application to enhance clinical communications. Before and during the pilot, nurses wore pedometers during their shifts to measure the footsteps taken to retrieve and communicate information. Henry Mayo witnessed a 38% decrease in steps taken using MH-CURE.
http://mobileenterprise.edgl.com/news/Nurses-Cut-Steps-to-Care95170
Better care: We all have an interest in empowered nurses
It’s a fact: We nurses are masters of the work-around. Our near-universal penchant for hunting and gathering what we need to care for our patients means our pockets are full of tape and bandages, we have secret stashes of clean wash cloths, pillows and noninstitutional toothpaste, juice boxes and stickers for small fry.
http://www.timesdispatch.com/opinion/their-opinion/better-care-we-all-have-an-interest-in-empowered-nurses/article_4baecdf7-4a9d-5a10-8b41-1aebbcb75538.html
UVA Deans Speak Out on Nursing Woes, Call for Change
With exhausting hours, stressful and sometime messy situations, nurses say they love their work - but it's wiping them out.
An article in the Richmond Times Dispatch written by deans at the University of Virginia School of Nursing chronicles their woes, and asks for change.
http://www.nbc29.com/story/26501228/uva-deans-speak-out-on-nursing-woes-call-for-change
Survey Says: 65% of Nurses Use Mobile Devices Professionally at Work; 95% of Healthcare Institutions Allow Nurses to Access Websites for Clinical Health Information
September 10, 2014 - Wolters Kluwer Health, a leading global provider of information and point-of-care solutions for the healthcare industry, today announced results of a new survey that looks at the mobile device, Internet, and social media usage habits of nurse practitioners. According to the findings, nurses are increasingly relying on mobile devices, social media and the Internet. The findings indicate that 65 percent of nurses surveyed said they currently use a mobile device for professional purposes at work. The study also found that, according to the practitioners, 95 percent of healthcare organizations allow nurses to consult websites and other online resources for clinical information at work.
- See more at: http://www.lippincottsolutions.com/news/2014-09-10/wolters-kluwer-health-survey-finds-nurses-and-healthcare-institutions-accepting#sthash.WdB19jDJ.dpuf
Nurse-led treatment 'reduces depression in cancer'
The number of cancer patients who are clinically depressed could be drastically reduced through nurse-led treatments, researchers believe.
http://www.nursinginpractice.com/article/study-nurse-led-treatment-reduces-depression-cancer
Health research
Vaccine to counter deadly disease
Researchers working on ways to stop infection that can lead to rheumatic fever and serious heart damage.
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/lifestyle/news/article.cfm?c_id=6&objectid=11325202
Social health
Accelerating prices hit family budget
High petrol costs are forcing New Zealanders to cut back on their health spending.
http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/health/10492638/Accelerating-prices-hit-family-budget
Drugs, alcohol and smoking
Awareness call for alcohol's child victims
Of all the harmful acts attributed to alcohol, little is known about the "sleeping giant" among them, yet it inflicts serious and increasing damage, says Children's Commissioner Russell Wills.
http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/health/10483662/Awareness-call-for-alcohols-child-victims
Steroids loom as risk for NZ teens
The world’s leading anti-doping watchdog has warned Kiwi teens could become victims of an unbridled illegal steroid market as the criminal underworld takes advantage of the country’s weak laws.
http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/health/10494283/Steroids-loom-as-risk-for-NZ-teens
Election 2014
Election 2014: The promises of good health
What does each political party have planned for your healthcare post the election? Find out below...
http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/policies/10481403/Election-2014-The-promises-of-good-health
Maori Party launches health policy
The Maori Party has launched its health strategy, which includes calling for a review into how to implement Maori medicines in to government legislation.
http://www.radionz.co.nz/news/te-manu-korihi/254471/maori-party-launches-health-policy
Greater support for whanau ora from every sector becomes bottom line for Maori Party
Most parties avoid talk about "bottom lines" for fear of sounding too uncompromising.
That's not the case with the Maori Party and leader Te Ururoa Flavell.
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11325904
Greens plan gift packs for newborns
The Greens want every newborn child to get a "welcome pack" at birth including a bed, clothes and other essentials, says co-leader Metiria Turei.
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11325905
Social media
Silence can kill: Doctors, nurses and staff must hold each other accountable
The field of patient safety became all too personal for me last week when my mother-in-law almost died from an iatrogenic C. Difficile infection of the large bowel caused by the inappropriate use of antibiotics and the failure of healthcare personnel to report their concerns to management or the family
http://www.hospitalimpact.org/index.php/2014/09/04/silence_can_kill_doctors_nurses_and_staf
Articles of interest
The Emergence of Forensic Nursing and Advanced Nursing Practice in Switzerland: An Innovative Case Study Consultation –
Background and methods: The objectives of this article were to systematically describe and examine the novel roles and responsibilities assumed by nurses in a forensic consultation for victims of violence at a University Hospital in French-speaking Switzerland. Utilizing a case study methodology, information was collected from two main sources: (a) discussion groups with nurses and forensic pathologists and (b) a review of procedures and protocols. Following a critical content analysis, the roles and responsibilities of the forensic nurses were described and compared with the seven core competencies of advanced nursing practice as outlined by Hamric, Spross, and Hanson (2009). - See more at: http://www.nursingcenter.com/lnc/JournalArticle?Article_ID=2554721&Journal_ID=1506294&Issue_ID=2554433#sthash.xmlRNpEw.dpuf
Assessing suicide risk
Nursing Made Incredibly Easy!
February 2014
Volume 12 Number 1
Pages 22 - 29 –
Can you recognize the warning signs of suicidal ideation? We show you how to keep your patients safe. - See more at:
http://bit.ly/1wy1DXs
A new leader's “trust barometer”
Nursing Management:
September 2014 - Volume 45 - Issue 9 - p 17-19
In April of 2014, Fortune magazine identified the world's 50 greatest leaders. The author called attention to our yearning for the attributes of an ethical and moral decision maker in our leaders, which is necessary on what's described as a “trust barometer.” Starting out as a new manager provides you an opportunity to set your own trust barometer by clarifying your expectations of staff members. This trusting relationship develops over time and grows as you acquire more experience and skill in your new role.
http://bit.ly/1qT9rye
Staffing Matters—Every Shift
AJN, American Journal of Nursing
December 2012
Volume 112 Number 12
Pages 22 - 27 –
Overview: Data from the Military Nursing Outcomes Database (MilNOD) project demonstrate that inadequately staffed shifts can increase the likelihood of adverse events, such as falls with injury, medication errors, and needlestick injuries to nurses. Such evidence can be used to show that it takes not only the right number of nursing staff on every shift to ensure safe patient care, but also the right mix of expertise and experience. Based on findings from the MilNOD project, the authors present realistic scenarios of common dilemmas hospitals face in nurse staffing, illustrating the potential hazards for patients and nurses alike. - See more at:
http://bit.ly/1uDXePx
Online resources
4 hand hygiene education videos
A recent study showed hand hygiene education and awareness programs need to be repeated to have a lasting effect on compliance rates in healthcare settings. Several educational videos on the importance of hand hygiene can be incorporated into hospitals' and health systems' future awareness campaigns
http://www.beckershospitalreview.com/quality/4-hand-hygiene-education-videos.html
From the Ministry of Health
Improving the lives of people with dementia
This publication outlines nine key areas the Ministry of Health will support over the next three years to maximize the health, independence and wellbeing of people with dementia.
Good health is essential for the social and economic wellbeing of New Zealanders. As the population of older people grows, so too will the population of people with dementia. An ageing population means that maximising the health, independence and wellbeing of people with dementia is a key part of ensuring the good health of New Zealanders.
There is currently no cure for dementia so we need to focus on improving the quality of life for people with dementia and their carers, families and whānau.
As a country, we need to make sure that the dementia services and support people receive are appropriate, person-centred and of high quality. The right support needs to be available at the right time, especially when a person’s needs change. Proactive and coordinated services and support for people with dementia and their carers, family and whānau will improve their quality of life.
Over the next three years, the Ministry of Health (the Ministry) will support action in nine key areas to improve the quality of life for people with dementia.
These action areas are to:
· implement a nationally consistent approach to dementia care
· increase dementia awareness
· reduce the risk of dementia
· increase access to a timely diagnosis of dementia
· provide navigation of services and increase the quality of information and education
· increase the ability of people with dementia to remain living at home
· increase the quality of information and education for the workforce
· develop dementia-friendly health and social support services
· provide respectful and supportive end-of-life care.
http://www.health.govt.nz/publication/improving-lives-people-dementia
Miscellaneous
Expressions of interest sought from nurses (and other health professionals) willing to donate a small amount of time and skills in Nepal.
SNIPS supports the work of the charitable trust, Youth Education and Training Initiatives (YETI) Nepal. A NZ registered charity, YETI supports Nepali youth into higher education and vocational training. YETI also partners with Kathmandu based Irish organisation The Umbrella Foundation.
Umbrella takes into its care trafficked children rescued from bad situations in Kathmandu. It then works to reunite them with their families.
We welcome expressions of interest from registered NZ or Australian nurses (and other health professionals) planning on travelling to Nepal in the next twelve months, willing to volunteer some time in Kathmandu to take a few classes with the children in Umbrella’s care.
We’re seeking people who would be interested in working with young people in the 12-18 years age group with English as a second language and who could:
*teach basic first aid skills
and/or
*run ‘health and hygiene’ classes.
We also welcome those who could provide general health checks, dental, sight or vision checks etc.
For those with more time, and a sense of adventure, health visitors to the mountain village supported by Umbrella would also be welcomed.
For more information on the work of YETI and Umbrella please see our website at:
http://yetitrustnz.wordpress.com/ or via F/b at https://www.facebook.com/pages/Youth-Education-and-Training-Initiatives-Nepal/144346135738054
To contact us either register your interest at: yetitrustnz@gmail.com or phone Linda 04-383-6931.
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 16 Sept 2014
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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