News and features

Prevention of In-patient cardiac arrest

You may or may not have already seen the recently published UK Resuscitation Guidelines for 2010, but we wanted to highlight the attached extract (with the authors’ permission)which focuses on prevention of cardiac arrest in in-patients, since this is the Deterioration Programme’s key outcome goal. Also attached is a set of philosophical questions, kindly put together by Dr Alex Stone, which seeks to generate discussion and hopefully action by staff in acute trusts. Prevention of in-patient cardiac arrest (PDF 104KB). and the Philosophies surrounding cardiac arrest and resuscitation (PDF 88KB)

Nursing Standard Awards

Congratualtions to Lisa Brown and Simon Andrews RCN Society of Orthopaedic and Trauma Nursing members who recieved Nursing Standard awards at The London Hilton, Park Lane in March 2012.

RCN Professional Forum Award - Lisa Brown, Junior Sister, Royal United Hospital Bath NHS Trust

When Lisa became tissue viability lead at an orthopaedic trauma unit, the high incidence of pressure ulcers cost around £500,000 a year and caused pain, infection and immobility. She launched Think Pink, making teaching materials, documentation, monitoring and repositioning charts and turning clocks pink. Training sessions, a dedicated information board, patient leaflets and rigorous recording systems have educated and enthused staff. The 58 per cent reduction in pressure ulcers has saved £300,000. The benefits for patients are priceless.

Ward Sister Award - Simon Andrews, Senior Charge Nurse, Royal United Hospital Bath NHS Trust

When Simon was tasked with merging two wards into a trauma unit he found low morale and high sickness rates but seized the opportunity to create a gold standard ward. He has improved care through staff development and mentor networks. Through his clinical work, he has reduced the incidence of pressure sores and healthcare acquired infections and introduced protected mealtimes, privacy and dignity standards, and a dementia care strategy. He runs seminars for all hospital staff and shares his innovations through the trust newsletter.

Pin Site Consensus

External fixation and limb reconstruction procedures are a vital part of trauma and orthopaedic treatment and care, and have a massive physical and psychological impact on the patient. There is a pressing need for research that can drive future practice in this area.

In recognition of this need, SOTN brought together a group of multidisciplinary clinical experts for a consensus project, which included a meeting and subsequent survey. The resulting publication, offers guidance for the practice of pin site care based on expert opinion. it can be used to support clinicians in their day to day practice and is designed for those wishing to ensure their care delivery meets current views on practice, whether they care for orthopaedic patients with external fixation on a daily or intermittent basis.

http://www.rcn.org.uk/_data/assets/pdf_file/0009/413982/004137.pdf

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