The prescribing of medication is by far the most common form of medical intervention. However, it has been shown that up to 50% of medicines are not taken as prescribed, that medication-related problems can occur, and that up to 7% of hospital admissions can be due to adverse drug reactions. A new approach termed 'medicines optimisation' has been developed that is intended to focus attention on outcomes rather than process in relation to improving quality, the benefits, and value patients receive from their use of medicines. This article describes the role that community nurses can play in achieving the ambitions of the medicines optimisation agenda.
Gaye Kyle discusses the nurse’s responsibility for administrating medication in a safe and acceptable manner to patients with dementia and makes recommendations for practice in the light of current evidence.
Gaye Kyle RGN, BA(Hons), Dip Ed, MA, is an Independent Lecturer
Article accepted for publication: October 2011
Rosemary Pudner considers the issues involved when managing a patient with a leg ulcer.
Loraine Roberts describes some of the factors which can affect a client's ability or willingness to comply with treatment guidelines for stress incontinence.
Bridget Taylor discusses the concept of compliance and non-compliance in the context of nurse-patient partnerships.
Bridget Taylor BA (Hons), RGN, DN Cert, Cert Ed, Senior Lecturer, Oxford Brookes University.
Article accepted for publication February 2001.
Louise McKeeney discusses the importance of using approved clinical guidelines to reduce the number of litigation cases associated with pressure ulceration.
Louise McKeeney, RGN, DNCert, DPSN, CHS, Clinical Nurse Specialist Tissue Viability Coventry Primary Care NHS Trust. Article accepted for publication March 2002.
Dr Pat Schofield, Margaret Dunham & Catherine Black present a case scenario on managing pain in a community setting.
Dr Pat Schofield PhD, PE Dip Ed, Dip N, RN, Senior Lecturer – University of Sheffield, School of Nursing & Midwifery.
Mrs Margaret Dunham RN, BA (Hons), MSc, Lecturer – University of Sheffield, School of Nursing & Midwifery.
Mrs Catherine Black RGN, BA (Hons), MAEd, DHSM, Nurse Tutor – Centre of Nurse Education, Keyll Darree, Nobles Hospital, Strang, Isle of Man.
Article accepted for publication: July 2005
Andrea Stigant gives an overview of the role of the lymphoedema practitioner and using a case study approach provides information on lymphoedema and its treatment.
Andrea Stigant MSCP, ENBN34 is a Clinical Lymphoedema Specialist, Eden Valley Hospice.
Article accepted for publication: September 2006
Deborah Ward gives an overview of hand hygiene practices in the community.
Deborah Ward MA, BSc (Hons), RGN is an Infection Control Nurse Specialist, bpas.
Article accepted for publication: May 2006
Emma Fawcett is a practice nurse in a GP surgery with 103 people on the asthma register. The clients are invited (at least) annually for an asthma review. In the previous 12 months, only 43 of them have accepted this invitation and attended for review. This article will attempt to review and critically evaluate the available evidence and compare this to an individual practice area.
Emma Fawcett RGN, DipN., BSc (Hons) is a practice nurse in Huddersfield, West Yorkshire.
Article accepted for publication: January 2007
