Identifying and managing patients with delirium in acute care settings.

Delirium is an acute medical emergency affecting about one in eight acute hospital inpatients. It is associated with poor outcomes, is more prevalent in older people and it is estimated that half of all patients receiving intensive care or surgery for a hip fracture will be affected. Despite its prevalence and impact, delirium is not reliably identified or well managed.

A hospital nutrition improvement programme.

Healthcare Improvement Scotland (formerly NHS Quality Improvement Scotland) led an 18-month national programme that aimed to achieve reliable improvements in nutritional care by focusing on three priority areas: mealtimes; long-term conditions; and transition to care homes.

Implementing online tools and resources to help nurses apply evidence based care.

While nurses maybe aware of tools and resources for quality improvement, this does not necessarily mean they are used in practice. An alliance between NHS Quality Improvement Scotland and The Joanna Briggs Institute in Australia has been set up to promote and facilitate the use of online tools and resources to support the development of practice and, ultimately, to enhance care. This article summarises the tools available and discusses the implementation and evaluation of this project.

Best practice for managing patients' postoperative pain.

This article describes the development of a best practice statement on postoperative pain management. It examines why this area was considered a priority, the development process, the content of the statement and the recommendations emerging from it.

Best practice in urinary catheterisation and catheter care.

In May 2002 a series of 'best practice statements' to encourage a consistent and cohesive approach to care was launched by the former Nursing and Midwifery Practice Development Unit (NMPDU).

Best practice in the care of patients with a tracheostomy.

This article examines the development of a best practice statement on the care of patients with a tracheostomy. It outlines key elements of care, including the context in which care is given. This best practice statement is part of a series of such documents produced by the former Scottish Nursing and Midwifery Practice Development Unit, which has now merged with four other clinical effectiveness organisations to form NHS Quality Improvement Scotland (NHSQIS).

Best practice in nasogastric and gastrostomy feeding in children.

Nasogastric and gastrostomy tube feeding in children was highlighted by the Scottish Community Children's Nursing Network as an area in which there were shared concerns over inconsistencies in practice. This led to the development of a best practice statement.

Nutritional care for adults in hospital.

Despite the fact that up to 40% of hospital patients may be malnourished, many nutritional referrals are inconsistent or inappropriate. Recent research has raised awareness of nutrition, but wide variations remain in the assessment and referral procedures used by hospital trusts. The final best practice statement in our series emerged from the responses of nursing and dietetic staff across Scotland.

Home oxygen therapy for children.

The number of children who need home oxygen therapy is increasing, and there is a growing need to support both them and their parents. Families must also understand the practical and safety issues surrounding the supply of oxygen cylinders. A best practice statement was developed to ensure consistency and high standards of practice.