Intramuscular injection: exploring the evidence on effective administration.

Administering medicines by intramuscular (IM) injection is a familiar, though not necessarily common, nursing procedure. To ensure effective administration of IM injections it is important that nurses are up to date with the evidence on factors such as selection of injection site, use of appropriate equipment and injection technique. This article explores the evidence on effective administration of IM injections with the aim of enhancing nurses' decision-making and technique when undertaking this procedure.

Access to pain management from a legal and human rights perspective.

Patients who experience pain require adequate pain management provided by healthcare professionals who have access to pain relief medicines and are trained in the assessment and treatment of pain. Patients also need their pain to be acknowledged, understood and believed. These patient needs in relation to pain management can be considered from a legal and human rights perspective. This article describes human rights legislation in the UK, how it affects healthcare practice and what it means for healthcare professionals. It discusses barriers to pain management, the concept of pain management as a human right, the obligation of healthcare organisations to provide pain management and the limits to patients' rights to pain management. Finally, it proposes strategies that nurses can use to uphold a patient's human rights in relation to pain management.

Understanding the patient experience through the power of film: A mixed method qualitative research study.

BACKGROUND: For decades film has proved to be a powerful form of communication. Whether produced as entertainment, art or documentary, films have the capacity to inform and move us. Films are a highly attractive teaching instrument and an appropriate teaching method in health education. It is a valuable tool for studying situations most transcendental to human beings such as pain, disease and death. OBJECTIVES: The objectives were to determine how this helps students engage with their role as health care professionals; to determine how they view the personal experience of illness, disease, disability or death; and to determine how this may impact upon their provision of patient care. DESIGN, SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS: The project was underpinned by the film selection determined by considerate review, intensive scrutiny, contemplation and discourse by the research team. 7 films were selected, ranging from animation; foreign, documentary, biopic and Hollywood drama. Each film was shown discretely, in an acoustic lecture theatre projected onto a large screen to pre-registration student nurses (adult, child and mental health) across each year of study from different cohorts (n=49). METHOD: A mixed qualitative method approach consisted of audio-recorded 5-minute reactions post film screening; coded questionnaires; and focus group. Findings were drawn from the impact of the films through thematic analysis of data sets and subjective text condensation categorised as: new insights looking through patient eyes; evoking emotion in student nurses; spiritual care; going to the moves to learn about the patient experience; self discovery through films; using films to link theory to practice. RESULTS: Deeper learning through film as a powerful medium was identified in meeting the objectives of the study. Integration of film into pre registration curriculum, pedagogy, teaching and learning is recommended. CONCLUSION: The teaching potential of film stems from the visual process linked to human emotion and experience. Its impact has the power to not only help in learning the values that underpin nursing, but also for respecting the patient experience of disease, disability, death and its reality.

Subcutaneous injection technique: an evidence-based approach.

Injections are routinely administered by nurses in acute care settings and in the community. Nurses require a thorough understanding of anatomy and physiology, pharmacological principles and equipment, and potential risks to the patient of injections. Nurses should also take an active approach to patient assessment before injecting medicines. This article, the first of two, provides an evidence-based review of injection administration, with particular reference to subcutaneous injections, and suggests a framework for best practice.

Intramuscular injection technique: an evidence-based approach.

Intramuscular injections require a thorough and meticulous approach to patient assessment and injection technique. This article, the second in a series of two, reviews the evidence base to inform safer practice and to consider the evidence for nursing practice in this area. A framework for safe practice is included, identifying important points for safe technique, patient care and clinical decision making. It also highlights the ongoing debate in selection of intramuscular injection sites, predominately the ventrogluteal and dorsogluteal muscles.

Intravenous therapy: guidance on devices, management and care.

This article aims to provide guidance for practitioners on intravenous therapy devices, their management and care. It explains the indications for their use and considerations when selecting devices for intravenous therapy and treatment. Both PVADs and CVADs are discussed in detail to provide the practitioner with a clear understanding for each. Infection control and how to reduce infection risks are also addressed with recommendations for best practice guidance on flushing devices, minimising complications and documentation. This article addresses the importance of safe practice and aims to help practitioners to improve their knowledge and clinical decision-making for patients undergoing intravenous therapy.

A silent epidemic: community nursing and effective pain management.

Effective pain management presents challenges to health care practitioners, particularly in the community setting. This is evident from the complexities associated with the phenomenon of pain and the circumstances for those patients suffering from pain. An overwhelming amount of literature and research surrounding pain exists in an effort to improve our understanding of pain, assessment and management strategies. But patients in pain are not managed well in the community or acute setting. Health care professionals continue to underestimate and under treat pain, failing to meet the patient's individual needs. Pain management it is not about cure, nor is it as simple as reporting zero on a pain score- it is about knowledge, expertise and understanding. Pain is a subjective and very personal experience, wherein health care professionals must listen to the patients' story. Myths and fears surrounding pain remains a barrier to effective management and care. This article aims to dispel the myths and improve clinical practice, particularly in effective pain assessment so patients in the community presenting with pain can be managed individually and effectively. Nurses need to be proactive in their approach, through effective communication and decision making, trusting in our patients' and their pain experience. This is key to a successful approach to managing patients' pain effectively.