In an earlier article in this journal, the author looked at malnutrition in the community from the patient's perspective (JCN, 28(2): 40–4). Here, she examines some practical tips on how community nurses can provide help for patients in danger of becoming malnourished. Malnutrition may have been caused by a chronic problem that has resulted in years of gradual deterioration and prompt action can prevent malnutrition escalating further and affecting the patient’s overall health. In this case, more detailed and supportive treatment from family, friends and healthcare services may be required to help implement changes in a patient's routine. By using some of the ideas highlighted in this article, and with regular monitoring and support, nurses can better help patients in the community to recover quickly from, or avoid, malnutrition.
End of life care became the focus of media attention in 2013 when the Liverpool Care Pathway was found to be not fit for purpose. This article looks at the policy background to end of life care in the UK, as well as the current state of provision, from a community nursing perspective. It also focuses on pressure ulceration, a key complication for patients at the end of life, offering advice on how to approach skin care for this patient group. Finally, the author examines the implications for treatment of mental capacity legislation, and how concepts such as 'advanced decisions' and ethics affect nurses trying to treat patients at the end of life.
Infection prevention and control is an enormous challenge within the hospital environment, but with the changing face of the NHS meaning that more complex care is being provided in the community and within patients' homes, the goal of zero tolerance of preventable healthcare-associated infections (HCAIs) is even more of a challenge. So-called 'super-bugs' put a tremendous strain on NHS resources, as well as compromising patients' recovery, quality of life and wellbeing, and are increasingly being seen in the community. This article looks at the provision of infection control in the community and how nurses need to organise services that involve patients in their own care. It also investigates the use of a range of infection control products, including a wash cap (octenisan® wash cap [schülke]), specifically designed for use in immobile patients.
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.
In each issue of the Journal of Community Nursing we investigate a hot topic currently affecting our readers. In this issue, as we face an obesity epidemic and growing lifestyle-related conditions such as diabetes, JCN takes a look at the community nurses’ role in health prevention and asks the question...
In the latest in JCN’s series profiling the decision-makers in UK nursing, Jason Beckford-Ball spoke to Jane Cummings, England’s chief nursing officer, about patient-centred care and moving from acute to community services.
