{"title":"Preventing bloodborne pathogen transmission in community nursing practice.","authors":"Ann-Marie Aziz","doi":"10.12968/bjcn.2025.0002","DOIUrl":"10.12968/bjcn.2025.0002","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Community nurses face challenges while caring for patients with complex conditions, post-hospital recovery needs, or palliative care requirements, which increases their exposure to bloodborne pathogens. Inoculation injuries can transmit viruses such as hepatitis B (HBV), hepatitis C (HCV), and HIV. The risk of transmission depends on several factors, including the healthcare worker's immune status and vaccination history. Despite the high incidence of these injuries, the majority of those exposed do not develop serious illnesses. However, the financial impact of these injuries on the healthcare system is substantial, including both direct costs (such as treatment and testing) and indirect costs like staff absenteeism. Preventive measures, such as proper use of personal protective equipment, prompt reporting and post-exposure prophylaxis are essential to minimise the risk of transmission.</p>","PeriodicalId":35731,"journal":{"name":"British Journal of Community Nursing","volume":"30 2","pages":"90-94"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-02-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143081440","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Addressing the needs of patients with severe mental illnesses.","authors":"Dion Smyth","doi":"10.12968/bjcn.2025.0007","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.12968/bjcn.2025.0007","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":35731,"journal":{"name":"British Journal of Community Nursing","volume":"30 2","pages":"70"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-02-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143081405","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Aysha Mendes provides a synopsis and brief review of a selection of recently published research articles.","authors":"Aysha Mendes","doi":"10.12968/bjcn.2024.0164","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.12968/bjcn.2024.0164","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":35731,"journal":{"name":"British Journal of Community Nursing","volume":"30 1","pages":"12-13"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-01-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142910947","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"The A-Z of age-related dermatological diseases.","authors":"Mark Greener","doi":"10.12968/bjcn.2024.0162","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.12968/bjcn.2024.0162","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Skin ageing is an inevitable process influenced by both intrinsic and extrinsic factors. Intrinsic aging leads to thinner, drier and less elastic skin with fine wrinkles, while extrinsic factors such as sun exposure, smoking and environmental stresses amplify these changes. Photo-ageing, in particular, causes deep wrinkles, uneven pigmentation and increases the risk of skin cancers. Age-related alterations in skin structure and function include thinning of the epidermis, reduced collagen and elastin and changes in fat distribution, all of which compromise the skin's barrier and mechanical properties. These changes not only increase the susceptibility to conditions such as xerosis, fungal infections and atopic dermatitis but also carry psychological implications. Interestingly, atopic dermatitis, often associated with childhood, has a secondary peak in older adults and may be linked to neurodegenerative conditions such as Alzheimer's disease. This article explores the interplay between skin aging, dermatological diseases, and their broader physical and emotional impacts.</p>","PeriodicalId":35731,"journal":{"name":"British Journal of Community Nursing","volume":"30 1","pages":"36-39"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-01-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142910954","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"New beginnings.","authors":"Alison While","doi":"10.12968/bjcn.2024.0127","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.12968/bjcn.2024.0127","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":35731,"journal":{"name":"British Journal of Community Nursing","volume":"30 1","pages":"8-10"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-01-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142910952","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Power of reminiscence.","authors":"Dion Smyth","doi":"10.12968/bjcn.2024.0163","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.12968/bjcn.2024.0163","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":35731,"journal":{"name":"British Journal of Community Nursing","volume":"30 1","pages":"14"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-01-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142910953","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Embedding diversity and inclusion in community nursing: insights from a unity in care event.","authors":"Sarah Monks, Julie Clennell","doi":"10.12968/bjcn.2024.0159","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.12968/bjcn.2024.0159","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":35731,"journal":{"name":"British Journal of Community Nursing","volume":"30 1","pages":"5-7"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-01-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142910948","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Assisted dying legislation: challenges and considerations for community nurses.","authors":"June Andrews","doi":"10.12968/bjcn.2024.0160","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.12968/bjcn.2024.0160","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The article focuses on assisted dying, its legislation process and why it might be a political priority for UK lawmakers at this time. The author also raises questions about what the implications of this bill for nurses, particularly community nurses. The article mentions places outside the UK where assisted dying is already a feature of healthcare. 'Bill' or 'bills' should be taken to mean the draft legislation at the time of writing this article; these are subject to revision or even rejection in each jurisdiction either in the short or long term. It is important for nurses to think about the issue in general terms now, as it returns to the political agenda every few years. Nurses need to be able to discuss it professionally as professional standards, training and regulation will change. The questions presented give rise to polarised and strongly held views. It is important to examine any bill from a theoretical standpoint, to provide valid reasons for the position that professional nurses take, for or against these concepts in principle. There are questions of conscience and religious faith, which are challenging, but it is vital to look at the issue in an unemotional manner.</p>","PeriodicalId":35731,"journal":{"name":"British Journal of Community Nursing","volume":"30 1","pages":"18-20"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-01-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142910946","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Implementing Wells' criteria to improve deep vein thrombosis screening in housebound patients.","authors":"Claire Abdulrahaman, Stella Foluke Bosun-Arije","doi":"10.12968/bjcn.2024.0098","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.12968/bjcn.2024.0098","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Screening of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is an NHS priority for improving community health service. Effective DVT screening and documentation improve patient outcomes, prevent prolonged hospitalisation and lead to fewer expenses. The lack of evidence of DVT screening in the community requires action. This Quality Improvement Project focuses on improving DVT screening and documentation for housebound patients in the community.</p><p><strong>Aim: </strong>To improve screening and documentation of DVT in four months by introducing several interventions in collaboration with one care community.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>The authors used a fishbone analysis and driver diagram to form three 'Plan, Do, Study and Act' cycles. The authors also developed a Wells' template, delivered a training session, had a team meeting with community nurses, audited their screening records and collected their feedback.</p><p><strong>Findings: </strong>There was a 74% increase in staff using the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence guidelines and 100% documentation of DVT assessment, of which 82% used the Wells' score template.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>DVT screening and documentation in community services can be optimised and sustained with training and monitoring.</p>","PeriodicalId":35731,"journal":{"name":"British Journal of Community Nursing","volume":"30 1","pages":"40-47"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-01-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142910951","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Ethics and community nursing.","authors":"Iwan Dowie","doi":"10.12968/bjcn.2024.0165","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.12968/bjcn.2024.0165","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Iwan Dowie explores the critical role of ethics in community nursing, where nurses often make autonomous decisions in the home care of patients. Nurses are tasked with balancing individual patient rights with the broader needs of society, guided by ethical principles such as autonomy, beneficence, nonmaleficence and justice.</p>","PeriodicalId":35731,"journal":{"name":"British Journal of Community Nursing","volume":"30 1","pages":"16-17"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-01-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142910950","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}