British journal of community nursing
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Br J Community Nurs · Dec 2019
Palliative care for community patients diagnosed with dementia: a systematic review.
Despite many efforts made by health organisations to deliver effective end-of-life care to patients with dementia, research indicates that palliative care is predominantly aimed at patients with terminal cancer, and that patients with dementia face challenges in accessing end-of-life care. This article explores the views of health professionals on providing palliative care to those patients diagnosed with dementia within the community setting. ⋯ The findings show that effective palliative care for patients with dementia continues being affected by many barriers and challenges. Good practice seems to be inconsistent and fragmented throughout the UK and European countries, and many health professionals are faced with difficulties associated with services and financial implications, training and education, staff support, communication, family support and dementia care.
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After a burn injury, skin loses its protective properties, leaving the body open to a number of complications. The gold standard treatment for burn wounds is autologous skin grafting; however, this may not always be an option, due to insufficient amounts of donor skin. Wound dressings can be used as a primary treatment in those patients who are unsuitable for skin grafting. ⋯ There is currently no gold standard of burns dressing that is universally accepted. However, hydrogels have been shown to exhibit a great number of beneficial properties and are the most favourable for use in burns patients. We discuss the use of hydrogel dressings, including their properties and clinical application.
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Br J Community Nurs · Oct 2016
ReviewRecommendations to support informal carers of people living with motor neurone disease.
Informal carers are increasingly providing specialist care at home for people living with motor neurone disease. The carers may experience significant deterioration in their quality of life as a result of the physical and psychological burden they undertake. This systematic review seeks to provide evidence-based recommendations to enable healthcare professionals to support carers appropriately to maintain their wellbeing and to continue providing care at home. ⋯ Twenty-three studies were included and a thematic analysis was undertaken. Four key recommendations were identified: providing support, early access to palliative care, information regarding availability of services, and offering carers training for using specialist equipment. These recommendations offer healthcare professionals practical, cost-effective suggestions to improve existing services.