Emergency nurse : the journal of the RCN Accident and Emergency Nursing Association
-
The diverse health needs of patients presenting to emergency department (EDs) are such that precise handovers between staff are critical to ensure all aspects of care are communicated. The handover process in an ED in south western Sydney, Australia, did not always achieve this, so a new approach, in which handovers tak place next to patients, has been developed. This article outlines the background to the change, describes the new system and reports the results of its audit.
-
Despite research suggesting that the Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) has limitations, its results are regarded as the gold standard in assessments of patient consciousness levels. This article discusses and evaluates the GCS, and reviews the literature on the advantages and limitations of the tool, and considers whether the Lowry Coma Record (Lowry 1999) should be used instead.
-
It is important to be able to demonstrate that clinical practice and choice of products are based on evidence. This article discusses findings from an audit of wound-healing outcomes, ease of use, and patient and practitioner satisfaction associated with the use of a tissue adhesive in an emergency department. It briefly discusses wound and adhesive types, and shows that using such products for specific lacerations can provide safe and effective closure and acceptable healing outcomes for patients and clinicians, and reports the results of the study.