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Insertion and care of nasogastric tubes in adults with intellectual disabilities
Many adults with intellectual disabilities require nutritional support as feeding problems are prevalent in this population. While many types of nutritional support are available, enteral feeding tubes, such as nasogastric (NG) tubes, are considered safe and effective. NG tube feeding is a common clinical procedure carried out to maintain patients’ nutritional needs when they have swallowing difficulties or cannot tolerate oral feeding. Insertion of an NG tube provides adequate nutrition and improves positive health outcomes and quality of life, but being fed through an NG tube may alter patients’ perceptions of feeding and mealtimes.Healthcare professionals, including intellectual disability nurses, should not underestimate the social aspect of mealtimes or the physical and psychological effects of NG tube feeding in patients with intellectual disabilities. Demonstrating competence and compassion with regard to insertion and care of an NG tube and applying best practice to ensure patient safety and well-being are critical to supporting patients with intellectual disabilities.
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Implementing cultural safety to enhance the care of mental health service users
Culture plays an important role at every level of healthcare and in every healthcare encounter. Cultural factors significantly affect the interactions between mental health nurses and service users, the experience of mental health service users and ultimately their health-related outcomes. The concept of cultural safety originates from the work of Maori nurse leaders in New Zealand. It builds on concepts such as transcultural nursing, intercultural competence, cultural congruence and cultural competence, enabling a deeper exploration of the underlying issues of inequality affecting people from minority groups. Implementing cultural safety in mental health nursing practice can enhance the quality of care by promoting culturally sensitive communication and prompting nurses to better accommodate the needs of service users.This article discusses the concept and benefits of cultural safety in the context of mental health nursing and explains how mental health nurses can use cultural safety to enhance the experience and health-related outcomes of service users with diverse cultural backgrounds.
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Supporting people who are experiencing domestic abuse
Supporting the health, well-being and safety of people who are experiencing domestic abuse can be a life-saving intervention and is an important part of the mental health nurse’s role. This article details best practice in safely assessing and supporting these people, and outlines the associated indicators and the potential effects that domestic abuse can have on health. The article also details the actions that mental health nurses can take to improve the care of victims, and explains the importance of effective communication skills, risk management and record-keeping.
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Inhaler and nebuliser technique for people with a learning disability
Healthcare professionals who support people who require an inhaler or nebuliser need to know how to use the devices, monitor and assess patients’ inhaler techniques effectively. Often, people have inadequate inhaler techniques, which can lead to poor management of their respiratory condition, increased signs and symptoms, reduced quality of life and increased use of primary/secondary care services and treatment costs. This article explains how to use inhalers and nebulisers appropriately and considers some of the challenges for children and adults with a learning disability. It also describes some devices and assessment tools, and explores assessment/review methods to help ensure people use their inhalers/nebulisers successfully.
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RCN Bulletin 394: Winter 2021
Inside the long COVID special issue we explore the latest research and clinical pathways, how to support colleagues who have long COVID, your workplace rights and the psychological impact of long COVID. PLUS: bereavement support, celebrating nursing support workers, a victory for safer staffing, meet RCN Nurse of the Year Nicola Bailey, and making your job description work for you.
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RCN Bulletin 396: Summer 2022
Read about RCN Congress 2022, using genomics in nursing, our fightback against unfair fines for overseas nurses, five ways to beat compassion fatigue, flexible working and care home placements.
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RCN Bulletin 398: Winter 2022
Get the latest news on RCN strike action across the UK, find out what happens on a picket line, plus how to spot symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning, how to tackle microaggressions, five ways to manage the menopause, and meet our RCN Nurse of the Year 2022.
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RCN Bulletin 395: Spring 2022
Read about the healing power of horses, endometriosis, safeguarding children, PPE risk assessment for COVID-19, Rohit's work with the Sikh community, and more.
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RCN Bulletin 397: Autumn 2022
Read all about fair pay and industrial action as the biggest ever nursing strike ballot approaches. Plus, the nurse tackling racial disparities, clinical care for transgender patients, pension planning, putting an end to unpaid overtime, and meet RCN Northern Ireland Nurse of the Year 2022.
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RCN Bulletin 392: Summer 2021
In this issue of RCN Bulletin, join Olivia as she emerges from work-related anxiety through wild swimming, read about how Jonah is driving change in prostate cancer care, and how Antonia developed a hand cream especially for nursing staff. Plus, find out what you can do if you have workplace safety concerns, and how one nurse organised colleagues to fight unfair parking fines.
