Assessing and managing patients with leg ulceration and oedema

Arterial ulcers develop as a consequence of reduced arterial blood flow to the leg, the main cause of which is peripheral arterial disease (PAD). PAD affects up to 20% of the population aged 60 years...

A service evaluation of specialist nurse telephone follow-up of bowel cancer patients after surgery

This service evaluation is designed to assess patient satisfaction and the cost saving realised for commissioners by use of the telephone follow-up service. There is an emerging evidence base that...

BJN Awards 2019: gastrointestinal/IBD nurse of the year—runner-up

The challenges facing the NHS nationally in terms of funding and the logistics of running a range of diverse services are not in question..

Observation of inadvertent tube loss in ICU: effect of nasal bridles

A review of critically ill patients fed via an NI tube identified a higher incidence of tube removal of those secured with tape compared with those secured with nasal bridles, 48% versus 13%...

BJN Awards 2019: nutrition nurse of the year—runners-up

ENPLUGs are silicone plugs inserted into the gastrostomy tract to prevent it from closing when a tube comes out unexpectedly. They are multicoloured, according to French gauge (10-20 Fr) and shaft...

BJN Awards 2019: infection prevention nurse of the year—runner-up

What are the challenges for nurses when providing end-of-life care in intensive care units?

A comprehensive literature search was conducted between March and July 2018. Key words and synonyms (end of life care, terminal care, nurses, challenges, delivering, provision, quality care, acute...

Intermittent self-catheterisation: good patient education and support are key

Patients are frequently assessed on their capacity to process, obtain and understand healthcare-related information accompanied by clinical instruction. This is often referred to as ‘health literacy’...

The role of neuromuscular electrical stimulation in the rehabilitation of the pelvic floor muscles

The pelvic floor is vital for routine bodily functions. The muscles of the pelvic floor help to control bladder and bowel movements, support pelvic organs, and help to control intimate sensations in...

The importance of indwelling urinary catheter securement

Non-stabilised catheters can increase the movement of the catheter inside the bladder, leading to unstable detrusor contractions and muscle spasms. This will increase the incidence of bypassing, pain...

Home oxygen therapy in patients with COPD: safety issues for nurse prescribers

‘… responsible and accountable for the assessment of patients with undiagnosed and diagnosed conditions and for decisions about the clinical management required, including prescribing.’.

BJN Awards: respiratory nurse of the year 2019: runner up

‘This work can be extremely challenging as I balance the parents' and child's wishes with the overall aim of allowing the child to live the best and longest life possible with their cystic fibrosis’.