Staff flu vaccination: A patient safety necessity?

The nights are drawing in, winter is fast approaching, and occupational health departments are already beginning staff flu immunization programmes. Vaccinated staff protect both vaccinated and unvaccinated patients from flu (van den Dool et al, 2008; 2009), and improve staff health, reduce sick leave, as well as set the public a good example.

Not dead yet: the mysterious case of the invisible women

When I was a girl I thought that older women ruled the world. My grandmother and great aunts demonstrated that being around 5ft tall and 71/2 stone (152 cm and 47.5 kg) was no barrier to being the boss. In fact, they were so successful I began to wonder whether being little was a prerequisite to being powerful. I began to fear that I would grow too tall. My fears were unjustified.

Talking 'bout my generation

Mrs Pinker* is ready for discharge, but her sons, George and Paul, think she should be admitted to a residential home rather than return home. Mrs Pinker lives alone and every 3 or 4 weeks she wakes up in the middle of the night, becomes anxious and calls 999. An ambulance is dispatched and Mrs Pinker is usually taken to accident and emergency

Sticks and stones

Linda Nazarko speaks out after recently witnessing the effect verbal abuse has on front line staff.

The accurate diagnosis and treatment of lipodermatosclerosis

Patients attending hospital expect to receive effective evidence-based treatment that improves health and minimises the risk of harm. Clinicians working in acute hospitals are often under pressured to treat people quickly and in such circumstances, some conditions can be misdiagnosed and inappropriately treated. This article uses a case study approach to illustrate the important differences in clinical presentation and treatment of acute and chronic lipodermatosclerosis and cellulitis. It also highlights the importance of clinicians receiving ongoing education so that they can improve their knowledge and provide appropriate care for older people. The article also recommends that national guidelines are developed to enable clinicians to differentiate between infective disorders such as cellulitis and venous disorders so that patients receive prompt effective evidence-based treatment.

Diagnosis and treatment of venous eczema

Venous eczema is part of a continuum of venous disease that affects around 20% of people over 70 years of age. It is not always appropriately diagnosed and treated. This article aims to enable community nurses to understand the pathophysiology of venous disease and how to offer evidence based management to patients with this condition.