Effectiveness of a professional development training program in increasing knowledge of mental health clinicians specializing in early psychosis.

Aim: For early psychosis services to be effective, it is essential to have staff that are trained in evidence-based interventions in this area. In this paper, we report on research undertaken by The Early Psychosis Prevention and Intervention Centre's Statewide Services (ESW) team. The focus was on assessing knowledge acquisition in early psychosis clinicians that had attended ESW's specialist training.

Strengthening the role of the ward manager: a review of the literature.

Background: The role of the ward manager is integral to service delivery, however, they may lack the necessary authority and autonomy to achieve the organisation and delivery of patient care.

Aim: To identify initiatives that have strengthened the ward manager role.

Methods: A review of published literature was undertaken.

Reviewing nurse safety in the aftermath of the riots.

Many cities in the UK including London, Birmingham and Manchester, were ravaged by the shocking levels of rioting and looting that took place a few weeks ago and are still attempting to recover.

Osteoporosis among young adults with complex physical disabilities.

This study set out to explore the possible link between osteoporosis in people under 40 years of age, who have complex physical disabilities and live in long-term care facilities. A range of information was obtained from the participants including their bone mineral density (BMD). The results confirmed that immobility is associated with low BMD, and those who are fed using a percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) tube are particularly at a higher risk of low BMD.

Discussing the transition to palliative care: evaluation of a brief communication skills training program for oncology clinicians.

Objective: Discussing the transition from active anti-cancer treatment to palliative care can be difficult for cancer patients and oncology health professionals (OHP). We developed a brief communication skills workshop to assist OHP with these conversations, and examined satisfaction with the workshop and perceived confidence regarding these discussions.

Method: Interactive workshops were conducted by trained facilitators and included cognitive, behavioral, and experiential components.

Researching the management of constipation in long-term care: Part 1.

The management of constipation is a problem in any healthcare setting, for a variety of reasons. These include the lack of a unified definition of constipation, differences in bowel habit between individuals, the lack of literature on assessment of constipation and nursing research into the condition, and the numerous risk factors. A good knowledge and understanding of these factors, which can help not only in dealing with constipation, but also in preventing it and maintaining the individual's comfort and health, is essential.

Researching the management of constipation in long-term care. Part 2.

The management of constipation is a problem in any healthcare setting. Constipation can affect all individuals; older people and those suffering from disabilities and long-term chronic conditions, such as Parkinson's disease and rheumatoid arthritis, are particularly vulnerable. This two-part article is based on a research study carried out in nine care homes, among patients of various ages with a variety of chronic conditions.

Clinical nursing rounds part 3: patient comfort rounds.

Clinical rounds are being introduced in the Dudley Group of Hospitals to improve patient care, involve patients and improve communication. There are four types of rounds, matrons' rounds, nurse management rounds, patient comfort rounds and teaching rounds. This article is the third in the series and describes patient comfort rounds (PCRs).

A staff nurse's perspective of infection control problems.

Earlier this month astonishing figures causing major concern were released from the Department of Health (DoH) showing the number of cases of Clostridium difficile in the over 65s in hospitals in England. This article focuses upon what is already known about infection control and concludes that a greater collaborative approach to infection control is needed, with a prudent use of broad spectrum antibiotics and a greater use of precautionary isolation measures based on patient symptoms, if infection rates are to fall.