Biomedical subjects
Publications and source records attributed to Terry Hainsworth.
Falls in older people are a significant problem causing both injury and loss of independence. New guidance from the National Institute for Clinical Excellence on the assessment and prevention of falls clearly sets out evidence-based practice and is supported by patient and carer information that highlights the need for a patient-centred approach to falls prevention.
Improving the management of long-term conditions has the potential both to reduce hospital bed occupancy and improve the quality of life for patients. The new document Supporting People with Long Term Conditions (Department of Health, 2005) outlines a model of care to proactively manage those with long-term conditions and encourage self-care.
The new national service framework sets quality criteria for the care of patients with long-term neurological conditions. It aims to ensure early recognition of neurological conditions, increase self-management and independent living, and improve palliative care and support for families and carers.
NPSA recommendations to promote correct-site surgery have been published. This article considers the need for such guidance and highlights its implications for nurses.
New draft guidelines have been prepared on the treatment and prophylaxis of MRSA. This article outlines their content and discusses the development and management of this bacteria.
It is important for nurses to be aware of the health risks that occur during heatwaves and that they are able to swiftly take the appropriate action to protect people who have a high risk of heat-associated illness. The Department of Health has just issued new guidance on this.
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are useful medications for the management of pain. However, Cox-2 NSAIDs have been associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular side-effects and there are now concerns that this increased risk may extend to all NSAIDs. This article outlines the action of NSAIDs and discusses the evidence for a link with increased cardiovascular risk.
Despite the availability of well-known and effective prophylactic measures, between 25,000 and 32,000 people in England each year contract a fatal venous thromboembolism while in hospital. This article highlights concerns raised by the House of Commons inquiry into this problem and outlines the Departments of Health's response.
Hepatitis C has been described as a silent epidemic, as most of those infected show no symptoms over a long period. A report from the Hepatitis C Trust (2005) raises concerns that detection and treatment is low compared to that in the rest of Europe. Improvements in screening, treatment and public awareness are needed in order to reduce potential death from liver disease related to infection.
Despite national and local guidelines for glycaemic control, current management of glycaemia can fall significantly short of accepted goals. This article discusses the recommended glycaemic control goals and barriers that can prevent their achievement. It examines key recommendations to enable health care providers to overcome these barriers.
Cardiovascular disease is the most common cause of death in the UK. This article discusses the most recent guidance and evidence on prevention, and outlines the implications for nurses.
Life checks are proposed as part of the new health white paper (DoH, 2006). This article outlines what these checks could involve and discusses how they fit in with current health-screening programmes.
Cosmetic surgery is a rapidly growing area. This article examines what cosmetic surgery is, how prevalent the procedures are, risk management issues and how to ensure best practice.
The recent increase in measles and one death clearly shows it is still a serious illness and highlights the importance of high levels of vaccination uptake. This article discusses measles infection and prevention and outlines the implications for nurses.
NICE has published its first public health guidance documents on smoking cessation and physical activity. This article outlines the physical activity guidance, looks at the benefits from increased activity and highlights the implications for practice.
Ensuring that patients are engaged in their own care is a key theme of current healthcare policy. However, research highlights that in the UK levels of engagement are not as high as in other countries. This article discusses the benefits of engagement and gives practical steps for improving practice.
A strategy and action plan is in place for the management of hepatitis C. However, recent evidence suggests that this is not being implemented and hepatitis C remains a significant public health concern. This article summarises the condition and potential problems, highlights data from the recent audit of practice and outlines the latest recommendations for managing hepatitis C.
This article outlines the report Turning the Corner: Improving Diabetes Care on the progress made since the launch of the National Service Framework for Diabetes. It highlights some of the challenges still to be met and provides up-to-date information on prevalence and treatment levels.