Article: Opioid use in palliative care: new developments and guidelines

This UK article describes the analgesic options available in palliative care.  It reviews recent evidence and guidelines and explores patients' and prescribers common concerns about opioid use.

Bemand-Querishi, L. et al. 2019. Opioid use in palliative care: new developments and guidelines.  Prescriber, April 2019. P 25 - 31.

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Article: Anticipatory syringe drivers: a step too far

An editorial piece discussing the findings of the recent Gosport War Memorial Hospital inquiry and the practice of anticipatory prescribing of syringe drivers in palliative care.

Bowers, B. et al. Anticipatory syringe drivers: a step too far.  BMJ Supportive & Palliative Care. 2019 online.

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Article: Managing constipation in palliative care

Constipation, particularly opioid-induced constipation in patients who are receiving palliative care is extremely common.  There are many pharmacological treatments but their effectiveness is variable and the evidence inconclusive.  This article brings together the latest evidence on the treatment of constipation in adults receiving palliative care.

Young, J. 2019.  An evidence review on managing constipation in palliative care.  Nursing Times, (115) 5, 28-33.

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Article: Infection control - hand hygiene

This article, explains the importance of hand hygiene, when it should be done and the cleaning agents to use.  It also outlines the procedures for decontaminating the hands using alcohol-based hand rub.

Wigglesworth, N. 2019.  Infection control 2: hand hygiene using alcohol-based hand rub.  Nursing Times, 115 (5) p 24 - 27.

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Article: Use of personal protective equipment in nursing practice

Personal protective equipment (PPE) such as gloves, aprons, and eye protection play an important role in the prevention and control of infection for all healthcare staff.  This article defines PPE and it's components, outlining when these items should be used and the procedures for putting on and removing them.  It includes a self assessment quiz at the end and could be used as part of the 35 CPD hours required for revalidation.

Brown, L. et al. 2019.  Use of personal protective equipment in nursing practice.  Nursing Standard, 34 (5) p 59 - 66.

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Article: Noisy upper respiratory tract secretions: pharmacological management

A short overview of the practical management of noisy upper respiratory tract secretions.

Boland, J. & Boland, E. 2019.  Noisy upper respiratory tract secretions: pharmacological management.  BMJ Supportive & Palliative Care, online.

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New Book: Palliative and end of life care in nursing

The book is written for nursing students and non-specialist staff to provide the essential knowledge in the care and management of people nearing the end of life.  Chapters include: communication in palliative care; exploring loss, bereavement and grief; and rehabilitation in palliative and end of life care.  Each chapter includes activities to help readers think and learn about the topic.  A useful book for those involved in teaching or mentoring new staff.   Chapters can be scanned and sent over.

Nicol, J. & Nyatanga, B. 2017.  Palliative and end of life care in nursing.  2nd edition.  Sage Publishing

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Article: Use of low dose sedative medication at end of life

This study investigated current practices when using sedative medication at the end of life in London palliative care organisations. It consisted of focus groups of clinicians and examining documented sedative use in patient records.  Participants all reported the use of sedative medication for managing agitation or distress, selecting drugs and dosages as appropriate.  None used structured observational tools to assess effect, strongly preferring clinical observation and judgement.  The authors concluded practice in these London settings broadly aligns with the EAPC framework for using sedation at end of life but lacks any objective monitoring of depth of sedation.  A follow up study explores the use and feasibility of monitoring sedation in practice.

Vivat, B. 2019.  Palliative care specialists in hospice and hospital/community teams predominantly use low doses of sedative medication at the end of life for patients comfort rather than sedation: Findings from focus groups and patient records for I-CAN-CARE.  Palliative Medicine, online.

Available to download

Article: Young people and their understanding of loss and bereavement

A significant proportion of secondary school pupils in the UK have experienced the death of someone close to them.  The aim of this study was to explore how pupils aged between 12 and 18 understand major loss, death and dying, whom they talk to and the support they chose to access at these times.   The findings showed that young people primarily seek support from family and friends, but the role of peers is less well recognised by parents and teachers.  The school as a source of support was mainly recognised by teachers.

Scott, R. et al. 2019. Young people and their understanding of loss and bereavement.  Bereavement Care, 38 (1) p 6 - 11.

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Report: Talking about death can be life changing

Research by Macmillan Cancer Support and YouGov show 3 in 5 people (62%) in the UK haven't spoken with the family or friends about their wishes in relation to their death.  Almost 1 in 4 (23%) did not know all of their family or friends' wishes. 

Macmillan has information and resources for people to help them plan for death, including a questionnaire to find out how ready they are to talk about it, a guide for starting the conversation and a planning checklist.

Report: Never too busy to learn: how the modern team can learn together in the busy work place

This publication explores how learning environments can be created in busy clinical settings and workplaces and have bought together a range of case studies and examples of how NHS Trusts are doing this.   Examples include huddles, ward rounds, schwartz rounds, simulation, and social media such as WhatsApp and Twitter journal clubs.

Royal College of Physicians & NHS Health Education England, 2019.  Never too busy too learn: how the modern team can learn together in the busy work place. 

Available online

Report: Care after caring: supporting family carers facing and following bereavement

This report aims to share good practice and ideas to improve outcomes for bereaved carers. It sets out what we know already about carers facing and managing bereavement and some of the recommendations to improve support. The report ends with 12 examples of local good practice support.

Hospice UK, and the National Bereavement Alliance. 2019.  Care after caring: supporting family carers facing and following bereavement. 

Available online

Article: Leadership needs to come from all levels to make a great workplace

An article describing how two Senior Managers at large NHS Trusts in London have empowered their staff to improve performance.

Pearce, L. 2019.  Leadership needs to come at all levels to make a great workforce. Nursing Standard, 34 (6) p 55-58.

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Article: How to get the most out of reflective discussions

A two page easy to read article on the benefits that reflection can bring to staff working in stressful work areas.  Particularly useful for staff undertaking NMC revalidation.

How to get the most out of reflective discussions.  Nursing Standard, 2019. 34 (5) p 37-39.

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Article: Clinical supervision in nursing practice

This article provides an overview of clinical supervision, outlining its features and functions.  It includes 3 case studies relating to group clinical supervision, discussing how this was implemented in each case and the various methods of group working that were used.

Driscoll, J. et al. 2019.  Enhance the quality of clinical supervision in nursing practice.  Nursing Standard, 34 (5) p 43-47.

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