theNursingPost www.nursingpost.com.au
The Career and Education Magazine for Nurses and Health Professionals
INSIDE THIS ISSUE:
Nursing in WA
9 July 2012
- ISSUE 13
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Paramedics never forget their first day. Or their second. Every day is different when you’re a paramedic. You’re always on the go, and with an attractive roster and remuneration package, the experience is both challenging and rewarding. So, if you’d like to breathe some new life into your nursing career then come and save lives with St John Ambulance. Choose a career with the power to change lives. Apply now at stjohnchangelives.com.au All applicants need be a registered nurse with AHPRA and have at least two years post registration experience in an acute care setting.
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Welcome to Issue 13 From the Editor... Hello readers and welcome to Issue 13 of The Nursing Post. Our feature inside takes a look at Nursing in WA. Turn to page 8 to read more. On pages 6 & 7 we have an article about radio station 92.9 and their Kids Appeal with Telethon with breakfast hosts Lisa, Paul & Baz leading the charge to raise money for Princess Margaret Hospital. On Page 14 we discuss the exciting launch of the first national free-to-air health TV channel. On page 20 we have a media release from Rural Health West where they discuss nursing in rural and remote Western Australia.
We continue to encourage our readers to send in not only pictures of their staff and wards but also any topics you think our fellow readers would be interested in, including recipe ideas. Our next edition is out on Monday July 23 where we take a detailed look at International Nursing. Untill then readers take care! ABN: 28 105 044 282 | PO BOX 6213, East Perth, WA, 6892 Ph: +(618) 9325 3917 | Fax: +(618) 9325 4037 E: admin@nursingpost.com.au | W: www.nursingpost.com.au Next Publication Details: Issue 14: 23 July 2012 Material Deadline: 16 July 2012 Editor: Michael Kuhnert For media-kits, deadlines or advertising queries, please contact our Sales and Marketing Manager Michael Kuhnert Printed by Westcare Pty Ltd
Inside this Issue Nursing in WA
Next Issue
International Nursing
CONTENTS St John Ambulance (Inside Cover)............................00
Rural Health West....................................................20,21
Quick N Easy Finance..............................................01
AACDS.....................................................................23
News: McGrath Foundation......................................03
Educational Courses,Conferences & Events..............26, 27
Medacs Healthcare .................................................04
Ausmed Article: Elder Abuse.....................................28, 29
CQ Nurse.................................................................05
Conference: Prevocational Conference.....................30
Radio station 92.9 Kids Appeal with Telethon...........06, 07
Royal College of Nursing Australia............................31
FEATURE: Nursing in WA..........................................08
Crossword...............................................................32, 33
Article: Rural Health Channel....................................09
Book Review: The Rural Nurse.................................34
Telethon Institute for Child Health Research.............10,11
Day Surgery Nurses Assocaition...............................35
Continental Travel Nurse..........................................12
Winter Recipes: Chicken, leek & bacon casserole.....36
RNS Nursing............................................................13
Crossword Answers.................................................36
Article: Rural Health Education Foundation...............14, 15
Mediserve Nursing Agency .....................................16, 31, BC Oceania...................................................................17 Medibank Health Solutions......................................18, 19
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MCGRATH FOUNDATION THANKS AUSTRALIA FOR HELPING REACH MILESTONE 75th McGrath Breast Care Nurse funded to support Australian families experiencing breast cancer Friday 22 June marked the 4th anniversary of Jane McGrath’s passing, and the McGrath Foundation celebrated a significant milestone in its history by funding the 75th McGrath Breast Care Nurse halfway to reaching the Foundation’s goal of a breast care nurse for every family experiencing breast cancer. The 75th McGrath Breast Care Nurse will be based in Dubbo, representing the Foundation’s strong connection to rural and regional Australia. Foundation Chairman and Co-Founder, Glenn McGrath believes funding 75 McGrath Breast Care Nurses in just four years is a testament to the Foundation’s strong support from the Australian community. “When we started the Foundation in 2005, we never imagined the Foundation could have such an enormous impact on the Australian community. But today, from the calls, emails, faxes, snail mail and Facebook posts, we are flooded with people who genuinely want to make a difference and it is because of them that we can proudly say we are halfway to meeting our goal of 150 McGrath Breast Care Nurses in communities right across Australia. “No matter how people have contributed, whether it was buying a pink product with our logo on it, attending one of our Foundation events or hosting their own, the Foundation has made a difference because of the support we’ve received. To the Australian community, businesses and the Federal Government, we want to say thank you for being a part of something truly incredible that together we have helped more than 12,000 Australian families though a breast cancer experience,” said Glenn. Foundation Ambassador and Director, Tracy Bevan, joined Glenn in praising the support. “We are so profoundly touched by the support we receive and the feedback about how integral our McGrath Breast Care Nurses have been to families experiencing breast cancer just makes us so proud. “Today is a day to celebrate what has been achieved and we’re all so proud to see the Foundation continue to grow and help people who really need the support,” said Tracy. To find out more about the McGrath Foundation and how you can make a difference, please visit www.mcgrathfoundation.com.au. 3
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Perth digs deep for 92.9 Kids Appeal with Telethon It was another huge year for the 92.9 Kids Appeal with Telethon with breakfast hosts Lisa, Paul & Baz leading the charge to raise money for Princess Margaret Hospital. The Appeal, which just wrapped up its third year last week, has raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for PMH. PMH gave 92.9 a list of vital equipment that would help improve the lives of the children at the hospital and all the money raised went straight to purchasing those specific items, including: 6
• Walking aids, which replaces a leg brace with Functional Electrical Stimulation to facilitate normal movement. • An inverted microscope, which is needed due to the increasing demand on the current inverted microscope used at PMH for assessment of cells grown under tissue culture conditions and to comply with the office of gene technology requirements regarding the transfer of material from a Physical containment level 2 laboratory and to a routine laboratory.
• Blood pressure machines, for the child development service department. • An S9 VPAP ST Therapy system to assist children with repository problems. The system supports ventilation in children deteriorating towards respiratory failure.
with a one-hour clinic for a a junior football club. Promising to take the kids for drills and conduct a Q&A session to teach them about the importance of keeping healthy and active to become a successful AFL player, his skills went for an impressive $2,000.
• A Minilink Transmitter for the PMH Diabetes Research department. The system allows communication between a subcutaneous sensor and an insulin pump. It allows patients to see what their blood glucose profile is and so to make the necessary changes to keep it within optimal range.
With the phone lines open every day during the two-week appeal, the generosity of Perth people kept the phones ringing non-stop.
Over the two week appeal Lisa, Paul and Baz tried everything from cycling to comedy to raise money for the kids.
The appeal will return next year to again help Princess Margaret Hospital with their fight against illnesses in children.
There was never a quiet moment as people gave to the sick children of PMH.
In a world first, Lisa and Paul broadcast the breakfast show live from bicycles as they rode around Perth and beyond in K’s for Kids. For every $100 donated between 6-9am that morning, the pair rode 1km, and finished off their grand effort at Murphy’s Irish Pub in Mandurah. The ride alone raised $9,000 and also helped purchase more vital equipment. Then came the ‘Comedy For Kids’ night at the Charles Hotel. Seven of Perth’s comedians came together to put on a show and raise money for the appeal. Joel Creasey and Adam Richards flew in for the night and 92.9’s own Lisa Fernandez even put in a performance. West Coast Eagles forward Josh Kennedy also helped the kids of PMH by auctioning off his time 7
Cape Leveque, Western Australia
Nursing in WA // INSIDE THIS FEATURE WA health system envy........................................................................... 9 Telethon Institute for Child Health Research........................................... 10, 11 Rural Health Education Foundation: Media Release............................... 14, 15 Rural Health West: Media Release.......................................................... 20, 21
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Health Minister Kim Hames says WA’s health system is among the best in the country.
WA health system the envy of the nation Health Minister Kim Hames After recent criticism of the system, Health Minister KIM HAMES returns fire, saying WA Health services are among the best in the nation. Despite recent reports on WA’s hospital bed shortages, elective surgery wait lists and patients waiting longer to get from ambulances into emergency departments. Dr Kim Hames says WA is leading the nation in most areas of the health system. “It’s hard to remember sometimes we have a health system that is the envy of the nation. With all the inches of newspaper column space dedicated to ambulance ramping, elective surgery waitlists or the next so-called crisis in health, the fact that Western Australians have better, more timely access to healthcare than ever before seems to have been overlooked.
A quick snapshot shows that patients waiting for elective surgery in WA have on average a 29-day wait for surgery, which is the equal shortest in the nation. I’m not going to pretend our elective surgery waitlist system is perfect. I know we can do better. But if you need a hip replacement in the public health system, the State you want to be in is WA. Once upon a time, our emergency departments were clogged as almost half patients admitted through emergency departments waited eight hours or more for a bed. That number is now stable at about 10 per cent of patients – again, the best in the nation.” For the full article visit our website nursingpost.com.au 9
Research nurse Jennifer Kent with Jamie who is having his annual ‘flu vaccine
Telethon Institute for Child Health Research Research nurse Jennifer Kent is passionate about immunisation and vaccine research. From working on vaccine trials for swine flu and bird flu, through to Human Papilloma Virus, Ross River, dengue fever and golden staph, Jennifer has learned a lot about the disease process and how vaccines work to protect the body from the infections. Jennifer says the research environment is always stimulating and varied with lots of learning opportunities, and she can say without hesitation that she really does love her job. Jennifer is a born and bred West Australian. She completed her Nursing Diploma at Fremantle Hospital in 1986 and then did a stint as a qualified nurse at Fremantle. She then packed her bags and headed to north to work at the Darwin Public Hospital. Jennifer recalls it being one of the busiest 10
medical wards around but one that left her with memories of the positivity of the human spirit. “I remember a young Indigenous patient who’d been involved in a car accident,” she explains. “He lost his left leg above the knee and his left arm above the elbow. He was then involved in another car accident and lost his right leg at the hip joint. I will never forget his upbeat manner even though he couldn’t even sit out of bed and needed help with all aspects of his daily living, including shaving and cleaning his teeth.” Jennifer changed her plans to stay in Darwin for an extended period, and relocated back to Perth to be with her family, the main reason she loves WA. “My family is here and they are very important to me,” says Jennifer. “I grew up doing lots of
camping in remote areas with my family so the large open spaces and wildlife of WA, along with the climate and quieter lifestyle, are special to me.”
“I also worked on the Meningococcal B vaccine trials and it’s extremely pleasing to know that there will be a vaccine available soon to stop this deadly disease,” she says.
Family is another reason why Jennifer turned her career to research, with flexible hours allowing her to balance work and family life.
Today, Jennifer is the Clinical Trials Manager at the Vaccine Trials Group, a collaboration between the Telethon Institute, Princess Margaret Hospital and the UWA School of Paediatrics and Child Health.
“I was lucky enough to be offered a job at the Telethon Institute for Child Health Research as a research nurse, working on a childhood asthma study,” she explains. “Research requires a fine attention to detail and this sort of work suited me very well as did the hours which suited my family life at the time.” “I’ve always had a strong interest in immunisation and when a position became available at the Institute’s Vaccine Trials Group, I moved into this area of research.” Jennifer’s first role as a research nurse involved coordinating a study looking at a new combined vaccine for infants. She enjoyed building a rapport with the families and then watching the babies grow and develop as the study followed them. Jennifer says it’s very exciting when a vaccine you’ve been working on gets registered, to be used to protect the general population against an infectious disease.
She says working in research management can be extremely busy and challenging with many deadlines to meet, but the work is always varied and keeps you interested all the time. The VTG is currently recruiting pregnant women and new mothers into a study to see if having the Influenza vaccine during pregnancy protects the baby from Influenza in the first six months of life. Jennifer says it’s an easy study for local mums to participate in. “This study doesn’t involve any vaccinations, only questionnaires and the followup of any Influenza-like illness of the mother or baby for six months.” The Group will also be recruiting for some very exciting Meningococcal vaccine studies over the next six months so watch this space! Website - vaccine.childhealthresearch.org.au
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Health Minister, The Hon Tanya Plibersek, Rural Health Education Foundation CEO Ms Helen Craig and Chair Dr David Rosenthal
Media Release
Tuesday 26 June 2012
Breakthrough for rural and remote communities with launch of the first national free-to-air health TV channel Three federal Ministers – Tanya Plibersek, Stephen Conroy and Warren Snowdon – joined in Canberra this morning to officially launch the Rural Health Channel, a major initiative to close the health gap between urban and rural Australia. The channel provides regular and reliable health education and information to areas sorely lacking in medical facilities. The overall mortality rate is 12 per cent higher in country towns and surrounding areas than in the metropolitan areas, and one-fifth of GPs cater to one third of the Australian population, including almost two thirds of Indigenous peoples. Health Minister Tanya Plibersek said improving health care services for rural, regional and remote Australia is an important priority for the Gillard Government. 14
“Improving access to information on healthy lifestyles and reducing risks factors will make a
Interviews available with Board Members working and living in rural areas of Australia; “Improving access to information on healthy lifestyles and reducing risks factors will make a Renmark South Australia significant difference in local communities. The Rural Health Education Foundation is making real contribution closing gap betweenpractising rural andrural urbangeneral Australia,” she said.for 38 Dra David Rosenthal to - Chair, GPthe Obstetrician, practitioner years. He is Chief Consultant to Country Health SA in the area of Safety and Quality, and The channelCoordinator has been setinup by the University Rural Health Education Assessment Flinders Rural ClinicalFoundation, School. an independent, non-profit organisation that over the last 20 years has provided free distance learning education programs to more than 50,000 health professionals. Adelaide South Australia Professor Paul Worley – Dean of the School of Medicine at Flinders University. Editor-inUntilofnow, service was onlyHealth available to health professionals in theiranclinics Chief the this Rural and Remote Journal. As well as maintaining activeorclinical workplaces, and only for two hours per fortnight, and the Foundation had no way to reach workload, he has been responsible for the coordinating the rapid expansion of Flinders members of the wider community. University’s rural education programs in undergraduate and postgraduate rural practice.
The Health Channel is being broadcast via satellite on the new Viewer Access Mt Isa,Rural Queensland Satellite Television (VAST) platform. services provideofdigital TV to Isa people who Professor Sabina Knight – remote areaVAST nurse and Director the Mount Centre for Rural cannot receive terrestrial digital television and currently reach 75,000 households. and Remote Health. Government estimates expect this number to grow to 250,000 by the end of next year. Townsville, Queensland The Rural Health Channel is the first narrowcaster (specialised non-commercial channel) to Ms Catrina Felton-Busch is currently the Director, Indigenous Health Unit, Faculty of use VAST. It is broadcasting from 1.30 to 3.30pm and 7.30 to 9.30pm on weekdays, and 4.30 Medicine, Health and Molecular Sciences, James Cook University, Townsville to 6pm on Sundays. NSW and Far North Queensland “VAST is evidence of the Government’s commitment to address the inferior television Drservices Nigel Humphreys rural GPAustralian for over 30 years. Now Newcastle he works 2/3I regional and- remote audiences havebased had toinput up with for far toofor long. ofcommend the year as a regular long term locum Rural General Practitioner & hospital Senior Medical the Rural Health Channel for harnessing this new platform so effectively,” Senator Officer very remote (RA 5) towns and communities in Queensland, eg Barcaldine, Alpha, Conroyinsaid. Muttaburra, the Torres Strait, Yarrabah and Palm Island, performing both GP and hospital inpatient and emergency Previously Urban Medicare The channel, which beganmedicine. broadcasting on 21stClinical May, isDirector, serving asHunter a conduit for government Local. and not-for-profit health initiatives. Already Palliative Care Australia, Lifeline and the Heart Foundation are among the organisations that have used the channel to spread their health messages. About the Rural Health Education Foundation The Rural Health Education Foundation is an independent, non-profit organisation that Media contact: Clair North 0422 248 396 or communications@rhef.com.au continues to play a critical role in redressing the health inequality between the city and bush by providing quality, accessible health education to those living and working in remote and rural Australia. The Foundation delivers its services via satellite television nationally, together with online services and DVD dissemination to provide accessible and relevant education. Over the past 20 years the Foundation has provided free educational health programs, benefiting more than 50,000 health professionals. For further information go to www.rhef.com.au 15
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affect their life chances,” he said. THE nationwide program to screen the social and emotional health of three-year-olds was “reckless”, not evidence-based and could lead to an explosion of false diagnoses that would What I like about OUM see is youngsters overmedicated and labelled that I can continue with to a mental illness for life, one of the world’s work part time and leadingcontinue psychiatry experts has claimed. my studies
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American psychiatrist Allen Frances, who Vivian Ndukwe, authored the the diagnostic bible for the RNDSM fromIV,Melbourne, OUM Class of three-year-olds 2012 psychiatry profession, said were developmentally fluid - making it very difficult to be certain whether they genuinely had a mental condition.
Parents have to prove their preschool age children have undergone a medical assessment to claim the Family Tax Benefit Part A annual supplement worth $736 and the Healthy Kids Check is one of three health checks that can be used to fulfill the requirement. Frank Oberklaid, who chairs the government committee devising the criteria for the new check, said it was wrong to see the Healthy Kids Check as a mental health check on children. The public and academic outcry about the check had been misinformed and there was “zero” danger of it resulting in overmedication or psychiatric labelling of children, he said
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Media Release 2/07/2012
Nursing in rural and remote Western Australia Nurses, along with most other health professionals, are in strong need in rural and remote Western Australia. The recent Health Workforce Australia report Health Workforce 2025 indicates the shortages of nurses are likely to be highly significant in the coming years. It is well documented that the health outcomes of people living in rural and remote areas are affected by these shortages and their restricted access to health services in general. Rural Health West, a not-for-profit agency, administers programs that aim to address the shortages felt by those living and working in rural and remote Western Australia. “Our recruitment service, Rural Health Select, is focused on recruiting health professionals for rural and remote Western Australia. We understand the varied and specialised skills that are required by all health professionals who choose to work in rural and remote areas,� Rural Health West Chief Executive Officer Belinda Bailey said. 20
professionals for rural and remote Western Australia. We understand the varied and specialised skills that are required by all health professionals who choose to work in rural and remote areas,” Rural Health West Chief Executive Officer Belinda Bailey said. The recruitment service is provided free of charge, to both the candidate and practices and organisations based in rural and remote Western Australia. “Our recruitment consultants provide a one-on-one case management approach and work closely with both the employer and the candidate to ensure a positive outcome for all.” Rural Health West acknowledges that there are additional challenges for health professionals who work in rural and remote communities and they offer a range of services that attempt to address these. Nurses who are recruited by Rural Health Select are able to negotiate individual packages that are tailored to their needs. “There are a range of financial and non-financial supports available to eligible candidates who are willing to work in country Western Australia. In some instances we are able to provide financial assistance that can be used to fund relocation and travel assistance, accommodation assistance, spouseof employment continuing professional Rural Health West is also conscious the need to assistance highlight theand benefits of rural practice development opportunities.” and careers, and to encourage students and recent graduates to consider rural and
remote locations as an employment option.
“Studies around the world have proven time and again it is not purely financial issues that provide a barrier to professionals electing to work in a rural environment,” Ms Bailey This year they launched Choose Country, a campaign focused on attracting said. “Rather it is access to other things, such as ongoing professional development, undergraduate health students and new graduates to consider a country career. peer support, family support and employment opportunities for partners that can provide the greatest barriers. The ability to individually tailor packages for nurses, means we are “Thisto campaign aimsperson to demystify rural practice andbarriers.” also provides one organisation that able assist each to overcome their own
can assist them in navigating a pathway to a rural career. By making the process a Rural is also conscious of the need towill the abenefits of rural practice simpleHealth one, itWest is hoped more Australian graduates consider rural career.” Page 1 of 2highlight and careers, and to encourage students and recent graduates to consider rural and remote locations asisan employment option. Rural Health West currently seeking expressions of interest from nurses who are interested in a rural career. This year they launched Choose Country, a campaign focused on attracting undergraduate health right students andthe new graduates consider country “There are vacancies across state, and wetoare keen toa work withcareer. individuals who are looking for a change of pace- both professionally and personally. We frequently “This campaign aims to demystify andhas also providesthem one with organisation that get feedback from candidates thatrural theirpractice placement provided a lot more can them in navigating a pathway to a rural career. By making the process a thanassist they expected.” simple one, it is hoped more Australian graduates will consider a rural career.” Rural -End- Health West is currently seeking expressions of interest from nurses who are interested in a rural career. “There are vacancies right across the state, and we are keen to work with individuals Media enquiries: who are looking for a change of pace- both professionally and personally. We frequently get feedback from candidates that their placement has provided them a lot4500 more Belinda Bailey, Chief Executive Officer +61with 8 6389 than expected.” Clarethey Underdown, Communications and Marketing Coordinator +61 8 6389 4536
As the leading rural health workforce agency for Western Australia, Rural Health West is -Enda not-for-profit organisation funded by the State and Commonwealth Governments responsible for the recruitment and retention of a highly skilled sustainable health workforce to meet the needs to rural and remote Western Australians communities. Media enquiries: Belinda Bailey, Chief Executive Officer
+61 8 6389 4500
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your photo could be on our
next Cover!
Just send us some happy snaps of you and your colleagues from your ward! HERE is your chance to show off your photography skills (or modelling skills) by entering the Nursing Post photo competition. If selected you will be notified by email in which issue your photo will appear in. We would love a variety of work settings and ultimately there is no limitation on what your photo can be. You can submit as many times as you like! Please note : Send us photo of: • When taking photos, the higher the quality (mega pixels, • Individual or group shots image size) the better. • your colleagues or yourself working • Please ensure that you have consent for photos in which you have photographed people where consent is • special or social events required • someone you think deserves to be credited •
Submit your photos to:
By submitting photos to the competition you agree to allow the Nursing Post to use them in future publications
theNursingPost
EMAIL: editor@nursingpost.com.au POST: The Nursing Post, PO BOX 6213, East Perth, WA, 6892 24
Educational Courses, Conferences & Events // CONTENTS Ausmed Education: Recognizing Eldery Abuse.............................28, 29 Conference: National Prevocational Conference...........................30 Crossword Puzzle.......................................................................... 32, 33 Book Review : The Rural Nurse...................................................... 34 Conference: DSNA Conference..................................................... 35 Winter Recipe: Chicken, leek and bacon casserole........................... 36 Crossword Answers....................................................................... 36 26
// Events + Conferences 2012 JBI National Australian Conference
ACNN 2012
Evidence-based Clinical Leadership
7th Annual Conference Gravens Seminar on the Physical and Developmental Environment of the High Risk Infant
13, 14 August 2012, Adelaide www.joannabriggs.edu.au
7th International Nurse Practitioner Advanced Practice Nursing Network Conference 20-22 August 2012, London, UK www.rcn.org.uk/newsevents
Australian and New Zealand Childrens Haematology/Oncology Group (ANZCHOG) Annual Scientific Meeting 2012 24-26 August 2012, Surfer’s Paradise www.anzchog2012.org
4th Congress of the Wound Union of Wound Healing Societies Better care - Better life Wound Union of Wound Healing Societies 2-6 September 2012, Yokohama, Japan www.wuwhs2012.com
7 - 8 September 2012 CROWNE PLAZA HOTEL, LOVEDALE, HUNTER VALLEY, NEW SOUTH WALES, AUSTRALIA www.acnn.org.au
Ausmed Trauma Nursing Seminar For Nurses 13-14 September 2012, Sydney, NSW www.Ausmed.com.au
National Association of Childbirth Educators’ Biennial Conference Generation Now - the fears, the fantasy and finding the balance National Association of Childbirth Educators 16-18 October 2012, Luna Park, Sydney www.nace.org.au
Australian College of Nurse Practitioners Conference
16th South Pacific Nurses Forum 2012
Closing the gaps and clearing the barriers
19-22 November 2012, Melbourne, Leonda by the Yarra. www.spnf.org.au
5-8 September 2012, Outrigger Hotel, Surfers Paradise, Qld. www.dcconferences.com.au/acnp2012/
South Pacific Nurses Forum
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Elder abuse - all too common in nursing and retirement homes
Elder abuse and how to recognise it You see her sitting there in the window of the nursing home. She has a bruise over her eye – her second “fall” in the past two weeks. The staff at the home seems disinterested, overworked, and overstressed. You have your suspicions, of course, but how can you know for certain? You don’t work at this facility often, but the amount of falls that are reported seem a tad excessive.
As the Baby Boomer generation ages, more people will end up in nursing homes that are already pushed to their limit with staff. Some places are so desperate for staffing that they hire back workers who have been accused of elder abuse in the past. If you work in a nursing home or have a loved one that needs that type of care, you can look for a few signs that your elder is experiencing abuse.
Physical Abuse You’d be the last person to point the finger about abuse, but something just doesn’t seem right. What do you do? Elder abuse is an all too common problem in nursing and retirement homes around the world.
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Physical abuse of an elder is the type most often thought about when thinking of this problem. However, it isn’t the most common or even the most painful. You can suspect physical abuse when you notice bruising or marks that don’t have
a good explanation. Some elders will even exhibit signs of restraint marks on their fragile skin. Broken bones, sprains, and other musculoskeletal issues are another sign that the elder may be experiencing abuse. The trouble with signs of abuse is that sometimes they can happen because the elder acts out. For instance, many falls are not the fault of the caregivers. They occur because the elder is confused and tries to walk when they can’t. Even many bruises are not always a “smoking gun” for physical abuse.
Neglect is another common form of abuse, and it has some red flags for the conscientious observer. Elders who suffer from unexplained weight loss, Ad-Single-Page.pdf 1 30/01/12 11:41 AM signs of malnutrition, and signs of dehydration may be experiencing neglect from their caregivers. Some elders are left with open wounds or bedsores that are not tended to properly, and some elders live in unsanitary conditions, such as going days without a shower or wearing soiled clothes.
Nurses,
You would think that if an elder was a resident in a nursing facility that neglect would be non-existent. Unfortunately, that is not always the case.
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With short-staffing, some elders may not be fed who need feeding, may not receive enough water during the day, or may go without a dressing change for a few days.
You need to balance your suspicions with more evidence. Are the bruises consistent with a fall? These are unacceptable conditions for the elder, Why is the elder falling so much? Is the elder but short of reporting them to a governmental confused? It takes more than a few bruises to overseer, it seems like there is not much help for it. Australian suspect physical elder abuse, and for that reason, Access 100s of CPD Hours Education it is often hard to prove. To ensure that our elders are properly taken care of in nursing and retirement homes, there needs to Emotional Abuse be a complete overhaul of the system. C
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Emotional abuse is a bit easier to identify, but it still may be hidden from those who are trying to prove it. You can identify emotional abuse by witnessing behaviour from caregivers who belittle the elder, yell at them, or call them names. K
Threats are another potent weapon of the emotional abuser. In the elder herself, you will notice signs of dementia, such as rocking back and forth, mumbling to herself, and involuntary mouth movements, such as sucking. Depression and anxiety are other signs to watch out for, as the elder may feel psychologically assaulted by the caregivers around her.
The lack of skilled, compassionate care workers is the primary cause for the many types of abuse of elderly people. If the system weeded out those who were abusive, encouraged those who love and respect elders, and found a way to keep those workers, then elder abuse may just be a thing of the past.
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s p i h s r a l o h sc Op en s M on da y 23 Ju ly 2012
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ACROSS 1.
Not amenable to a cure.
5.
Loss of the sensation of feeling in an area of the body.
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An infectious disease caused by protozoan parasites.
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A condition that tends to occur more often in family members than is expected by chance alone.
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Having to do with the kidney.
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A natural hormone made by the pancreas that controls the level of the sugar glucose in the blood.
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Insomnia.
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The gallbladder.
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The largest bone in the human body.
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A place for doing tests and research procedures.
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Pertaining to the largest artery in the body.
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An antibiotic of the penicillin type.
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Protected against infection, usually by the presence of antibodies.
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A metal or plastic tool similar to a compass used to measure the diameter of an object.
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Too much acid in the body.
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Thinning of the cervix.
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The large teeth at the back of the mouth.
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Sodium chloride.
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The major bone of the upper jaw.
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The external opening of the nose.
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Hidden.
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Roundworm.
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A substance often used in preservatives, antiseptics, and medications. Answers on page 36 33
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Winter Recipes Chicken, leek and bacon casserole Preparation time: 20-40 minutes Cooking time: 60 minutes
Method: 1. Preheat oven to 180°C/160°C fan-forced. Heat half the oil and butter in a heavy-based, flameproof casserole dish over medium-high heat. Cook chicken, in batches, for 5 to 6 minutes or until golden. Transfer to a bowl. 2.
Heat remaining oil and butter in dish. Add leek, bacon, garlic and thyme. Cook, stirring, for 3 minutes or until leek has softened. Add wine. Bring to the boil. Stir in flour. Cook for 1 minute. Slowly add stock, stirring constantly. Return chicken to dish. Add mushrooms.
3. Cover. Bring to the boil. Transfer to oven. Bake for 1 hour. Remove lid. Bake, uncovered, for 30 minutes or until chicken is tender. Serve with mashed potato.
Ingredients (serves 4) 2 tablespoons olive oil 40g butter 8 chicken thigh cutlets 2 medium leeks, trimmed, halved, washed, sliced 4 rashers middle bacon, trimmed, chopped 2 garlic cloves, crushed 2 tablespoons fresh thyme leaves 1/2 cup dry white wine 1/4 cup plain flour 2 cups chicken stock 200g button mushrooms, quartered Mashed potato, to serve
Nutritional facts Energy (kJ) Protein (g) Total fat (g) Saturated fat (g) Carbohydrate-total (g) Carbohydrate sugars (g) Dietary fibre (g) Cholesterol (mg) Sodium 36
Average quantity per Serving
3435kJ 50.6g 54.6g 19.1g 24.6g 5.8g 185mg 1535mg
‘Plug’ into a leek for your next warming winter meal. Mild, sweet and tender, they’re a delicious, versatile alternative to onions. Please feel free to send in your own home cooked recipes for our readers to try.
Crossword Answers: ACROSS 1. 5. 8. 9. 11. 12. 15. 18. 19. 20. 21. 22.
DOWN Incurable Numb Malaria Familial Nephro Insulin Sleeplessness Cholecyst Femar Laboratory Aortal Amoxicillin
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Calipers Acidosis Effacement Molars Salt Maxilla Nostril Occult Nematode Alcohol
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