{"title":"Materials testing.","authors":"K. Ambrose","doi":"10.7748/en.13.1.6.s10","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.7748/en.13.1.6.s10","url":null,"abstract":"The site of the Surgical Materials Testing Laboratory, at www.smtl.co.uk , holds frequentlyupdated, comprehensive information on wound products.","PeriodicalId":94315,"journal":{"name":"Emergency nurse : the journal of the RCN Accident and Emergency Nursing Association","volume":"35 1","pages":"6"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2020-01-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"84402889","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":"Breathing easy.","authors":"D. Fox","doi":"10.1525/9780520939554-008","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1525/9780520939554-008","url":null,"abstract":"Here’s the right way to get oxygen to your muscles. By Terry Laughlin The rules of breathing are simple in sports like cycling or running. You need a breath? You take a breath. You need more? You take more. Oxygen is there for the asking. A regular no-brainer. And then there is for swimming, where it sometimes seems, to frustrated novices and crosstrainers, that the simple act of getting oxygen to your muscles is a monumental task. And the stakes are high. Wiped out by just a few laps? It might not be your conditioning that’s at fault. It might be your lack of breathing technique that gets in the way of a good workout or discourages you from swimming altogether.","PeriodicalId":94315,"journal":{"name":"Emergency nurse : the journal of the RCN Accident and Emergency Nursing Association","volume":"41 1","pages":"13"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2019-12-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"86865880","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":"How safe staffing can improve emergency nursing: time to cut the Gordian knot.","authors":"L. Wolf","doi":"10.7748/en.2019.e1928","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.7748/en.2019.e1928","url":null,"abstract":"The phrase 'cut the Gordian knot' describes a bold and direct solution to a complicated problem. Nursing presence has been defined as nurses' ability to pay attention to patients and make them feel that their needs have been considered. In the emergency department (ED), nursing presence can be adversely affected by factors such as fatigue, workplace bullying, moral distress and inadequate staffing levels, which could lead to suboptimal patient outcomes and compromise the goals of nursing. Nursing presence is also important for nurses' job satisfaction and therefore for staff retention. This article explores the combined effects of fatigue, workplace bullying, moral distress and inadequate staffing levels on emergency nurses. To cut the Gordian knot it also provides recommendations for mitigating these issues in EDs through safe staffing decisions that consider patient acuity and skill mix.","PeriodicalId":94315,"journal":{"name":"Emergency nurse : the journal of the RCN Accident and Emergency Nursing Association","volume":"2003 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2019-11-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"89659539","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":"Screening for sepsis: SIRS or qSOFA? A literature review.","authors":"Benjamin Feist","doi":"10.7748/en.2019.e1939","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.7748/en.2019.e1939","url":null,"abstract":"In 2016, definitions of sepsis and septic shock were updated to focus on organ dysfunction rather than systemic inflammatory response as the identifying trait. This article aims to compare and evaluate the effectiveness of systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) and quick Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (qSOFA) in detecting sepsis in emergency department (ED) patients. A systematic search of the literature was undertaken using four databases. A total of 307 articles was identified. After the selection process, 13 articles met the inclusion criteria for the review. Five themes emerged from the meta-analysis: SIRS; qSOFA; timeliness and simplicity; sensitivity versus specificity; and adding lacate. SIRS offered users greater sensitivity when assessing for sepsis. However, qSOFA is a simple bedside tool with greater specificity, which does not require any blood test results. The author created a new qSOFA screening tool, which incorporated the use of point-of-care serum lactate measurement. He found that qSOFA outperforms SIRS as an ED sepsis screening tool with its strengths of efficacy, efficiency and ease. It was also found to differentiate better between uncomplicated infection and sepsis, which can commonly cause trigger fatigue in EDs.","PeriodicalId":94315,"journal":{"name":"Emergency nurse : the journal of the RCN Accident and Emergency Nursing Association","volume":"4 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2019-11-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"82076472","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":"Assessment and management of patients with tibial plateau fractures in emergency departments.","authors":"Barry McBrien","doi":"10.7748/en.2019.e1981","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.7748/en.2019.e1981","url":null,"abstract":"Tibial plateau fractures are complex injuries and relatively common presentations in emergency departments (EDs), yet the diagnosis is not always obvious. Patients with this injury are managed increasingly in EDs by registered advanced nurse practitioners (RANPs), who are recognised in Ireland as senior clinical decision-makers. RANPs are broadening their scope of practice to maximise their responses to current and emerging challenges in healthcare services. They use a range of skills, including taking comprehensive health histories, problem solving, clinical decision-making and using their expert judgement to diagnose and create management plans for patients who attend EDs. In Ireland, RANP is a protected title and practitioners work within an agreed scope of practice, meeting criteria set by the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland to register. RANPs ensure continuity of care, improve the quality of care, provide a quick response to patient care, reduce waiting times and improve flow of patients through EDs. The main scope of RANPs' practice in emergency care includes management of patients with non-life-threatening limb conditions or injures, such as a tibial plateau fracture. This article gives an overview of tibial plateau fractures, including anatomy, and presents a case study to analyse critically the management of a patient with this injury and the care provided by a RANP. In the context of the case study, the article reviews the RANP's diagnostic decisions and the available management options.","PeriodicalId":94315,"journal":{"name":"Emergency nurse : the journal of the RCN Accident and Emergency Nursing Association","volume":"13 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2019-11-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"81774468","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":"Awareness of secondary traumatic stress in emergency nursing.","authors":"Donna Barleycorn","doi":"10.7748/en.2019.e1957","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.7748/en.2019.e1957","url":null,"abstract":"This article explores secondary traumatic stress (STS) and the emotional challenges that emergency nurses face when dealing with traumatised patients. The few studies on STS have shown a higher occurrence of STS symptoms in emergency nurses but provide limited evidence on how personal experiences may contribute to STS. Risk factors identified include repeated exposure to trauma; morbidity and mortality; personal trauma; chronic stressors; workload and emergency department pressures. STS can lead to reduced job satisfaction, sick leave and burnout. Protective factors include awareness and self-care, emotional intelligence, social support and education about STS. Strategies to minimise STS include balancing personal and professional life and the support of employers to help reduce compassion fatigue and aid staff retention.","PeriodicalId":94315,"journal":{"name":"Emergency nurse : the journal of the RCN Accident and Emergency Nursing Association","volume":"7 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2019-09-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"73198705","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":"A comparison of two interventions in the treatment of severe ankle sprains and lateral malleolar avulsion fractures.","authors":"S. Powell","doi":"10.7748/en.2019.e1945","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.7748/en.2019.e1945","url":null,"abstract":"AIM\u0000Stable ankle injuries are highly prevalent in the UK. Prevention of complications and reoccurrence is essential. The literature shows that plaster of Paris and AirLoc brace are clinically effective treatments for such injuries. However, there is no research measuring patients' satisfaction with these treatments. This study compared options in the treatment of severe ankle sprains and distal fibular avulsion fractures from patients' perspectives. The aim was to determine patients' preferred treatment between below knee plaster cast and AirLoc brace in the management of stable ankle injuries.\u0000\u0000\u0000METHOD\u0000A total of 39 patients who presented at an urban hospital with stable ankle injuries were recruited into a randomised controlled trial. Patient satisfaction levels were measured by questionnaire one week into treatment. The null hypothesis was 'there is no significant difference in satisfaction levels between the two devices'.\u0000\u0000\u0000FINDINGS\u0000There were statistically significant higher patient satisfaction levels in the AirLoc group compared to the plaster cast group. After analysis by the unrelated t-test, the null hypothesis was rejected. Comfort, daily activities, sleep, work and social life were the main contributing factors. Additionally, 67% of the AirLoc group compared to 46% of the plaster cast group were able to return to work. The number needed to treat for one additional AirLoc patient to return to work was 4.8 (five patients).\u0000\u0000\u0000CONCLUSION\u0000Patients' preferred treatment is the AirLoc brace. The inquiry method could be used to provide patient-centred care in other fields.","PeriodicalId":94315,"journal":{"name":"Emergency nurse : the journal of the RCN Accident and Emergency Nursing Association","volume":"11 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2019-09-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"76130367","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":"Sepsis: an overview of the signs, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment and pathophysiology.","authors":"Anne J. Hunt","doi":"10.7748/EN.2019.E1926","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.7748/EN.2019.E1926","url":null,"abstract":"Sepsis is a common phenomenon surrounded by uncertainty and misunderstanding. The urgency for treatment is complicated by the vagueness of signs and symptoms and lack of a conclusive diagnostic test. This article unpicks the signs and symptoms of sepsis with guidance for emergency department nurses who are responsible for assessing patients with potential sepsis. The article also relates monitoring, investigation and treatment expectations to the underlying pathophysiology and refers to the individual and global implications of the condition.","PeriodicalId":94315,"journal":{"name":"Emergency nurse : the journal of the RCN Accident and Emergency Nursing Association","volume":"340 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2019-09-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"77317858","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":"How the emergency department four-hour target affects clinical outcomes for patients diagnosed with a personality disorder.","authors":"Michael Brian Haslam","doi":"10.7748/EN.2019.E1930","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.7748/EN.2019.E1930","url":null,"abstract":"Emergency departments (EDs) may already be invalidating environments for patients diagnosed with a personality disorder, with negative attitudes from staff perpetuating patients' feelings of dismissal and rejection. Despite a higher prevalence of patients with personality disorder in health services, including EDs, than the general population, there is a lack of literature on how achieving ED targets may affect this patient group. This article expands on Harden's concept of destructive goal pursuit in relation to the four-hour target and uses the literature to illustrate how pressures to meet the target may distort clinical priorities and result in adverse clinical outcomes for patients. It makes recommendations for practice including using short-stay units in which patients can be treated outside of the target wait time and introducing mental health triage in EDs to improve delivery of psychosocial assessments.","PeriodicalId":94315,"journal":{"name":"Emergency nurse : the journal of the RCN Accident and Emergency Nursing Association","volume":"148 1","pages":"20-24"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2019-07-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"82273038","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":"Full-thickness burns due to contact with gastric acid.","authors":"R. Fenwick, R. Price","doi":"10.7748/EN.2019.E1941","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.7748/EN.2019.E1941","url":null,"abstract":"This article describes the case of a 33-year-old man with cerebral palsy who sustained a full-thickness burn to his thorax as a result of lying in gastric acid that had leaked from a damaged percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy feeding tube. The patient required referral to a tertiary burns centre for specialist management. The article highlights the potential harm caused by gastric acid and why some patients may be particularly vulnerable to such injuries.","PeriodicalId":94315,"journal":{"name":"Emergency nurse : the journal of the RCN Accident and Emergency Nursing Association","volume":"5 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2019-07-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"78650552","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}