[E-Book] The Great Ormond Street Hospital Manual of Paediatric Clinical Nursing Practices

The Great Ormond Street Hospital Manual of Children's Nursing Practices is an evidenced-based manual of practical skills in children's nursing.  It encompasses all aspects of children's nursing from the most basic aspects of everyday practice to advanced practice in high dependency and intensive care to provide a comprehensive resource for all qualified nurses, students, and other health-care professionals involved in caring for children, both in the hospital and the community setting.

MacQueen, S., Bruce, E. A. & Gibson, F. 2012.  The Great Ormond Street Hospital Manual of Paediatric Clinical Nursing Practices.  Wiley-Blackwell.

Click here to access the library catalogue. Follow the E-Book links under Reading Lists, and use your athens username and password to access the book.

[E-Book] Therapeutic activities for children and teens coping with health issues

With more than 200 therapeutic activities specifically designed for working with children and teenagers within the healthcare system, the book provides evidence based, age appropriate activities for interventions that promote coping. The activities target topics such as separation anxiety, self esteem issues, body image, death, isolation, and pain. Mental health practitioners will appreciate its "cookbook" format, with quickly read and implemented activities.

Hart, R. & Rollins, J. 2011.  Therapeutic activities for children and teens coping with health issues.  Wiley.

Click here to access the library catalogue. Follow the E-Book links under Reading Lists, and use your athens username and password to access the book.

[E-Book] Mentoring in nursing and healthcare: a practical approach

Mentoring in Nursing and Healthcare is a practical, interactive resource that explores what is meant by the process of mentoring, addresses what a mentor is, what the role entails, and gives practical help on teaching and assessing students in clinical practice. Written primarily for mentors, this book offers a range of theoretical and practical activities and resources that are enhanced by online learning resources.

Kilgallon, K. & Thompson, J. 2012.  Mentoring in nursing and healthcare: a practical approach.  Wiley Blackwell.

Click here to access the library catalogue. Follow the E-Book links under Reading Lists, and use your athens username and password to access the book.


[E-Book] Music technology in therapeutic and health settings

There is a rapidly emerging and developing area of music therapy practice that uses electronic music technologies in a range of therapeutic and clinical settings to help clients with complex needs. The book takes the reader through the equipment that is available including computer-based software; electronic devices which produce musical sounds with minimal movement or skill; assistive devices such as switches and sensors; and recording and listening equipment. Clinical case studies are then offered that show these technologies being used successfully with a broad range of child and adult populations, including those with visual impairments, medical needs and physical challenges, and within a variety of settings, including a neonatal intensive care unit, schools, and palliative care settings.

Magee, W. 2013. Music technology in therapeutic and health settings.  Jessica Kingsley.

Click here to access the library catalogue. Follow the E-Book links under Reading Lists, and use your athens username and password to access the book.

[E-Book] Setting up and facilitating bereavement support groups: a practical guide

This book provides a practical introduction to setting up and facilitating bereavement support groups, giving facilitators the confidence to run a group. It guides the reader through all the stages of setting up a group, and examines different types of facilitation and the skills needed. Case studies illustrate different types of group, such as closed, time-limited groups and open groups, and the potential of online groups is discussed. Chapters also cover group dynamics, handling challenging situations, and overcoming problems that may arise.

Graves, D. 2012.  Setting up and facilitating bereavement support groups: a practical guide.  Jessica Kingsley.

Click here to access the library catalogue. Follow the E-Book links under Reading Lists, and use your athens username and password to access the book.

[E-Book] Managing pain in children: a clinical guide for nurses and healthcare professionals

This fully–updated second edition first explores the relevant anatomy and physiology of children, the latest policy guidelines surrounding pain management and ethical issues involved in managing children's pain. Various pain assessment tools available for children and non–drug methods of pain relief are then explored and applied to practice in relation to acute pain, chronic pain, palliative care and the management of procedural pain. The evidence base, assessment techniques, pain–relieving interventions, and guidance for best practice in both hospital and community settings are covered throughout, making this title an ideal resource for all nurses and healthcare professionals working with children.

Twycross, A., Dowden, S. & Stinson, J., 2014.  Managing pain in children: a clinical guide for nurses and healthcare professionals.  2nd edition.  Wiley-Blackwell.

Click here to access the library catalogue. Follow the E-Book links under Reading Lists, and use your athens username and password to access the book.

[E-book] The care of wounds: a guide for nurses

The Care of Wounds addresses all aspects of holistic wound management. The fourth edition of this successful clinical text continues to reflect current research and evidence based practice, while incorporating the considerable developments which have occurred in wound care practice since the publication of the previous edition. This book includes chapters on the physiology of wound healing, general principals of wound management, wound management products, and the management of patients with both acute and chronic wounds. Superbly illustrated with full colour illustrations throughout.

Dealey, C. 2012. The care of wounds: a guide for nurses.  Wiley-Blackwell.

Click here to access the library catalogue. Follow the E-Book links under Reading Lists, and use your athens username and password to access the book.

[Article] Medication considerations at or surrounding a child's death

Written by a pediatric clinical pharmacist and published in the US Children's Project in the Palliative/Hospice Services (CHiPPS) e-journal, the article looks at the sublingual and rectal administration of medicines as swallowing becomes more difficult at end of life, and common hospice medications that are appropriate for these routes.  The article also explores weaning and discontinuing medications as patients approach end of life.

 Hunt, M. 2014.  Medication considerations at or surrounding a child's death.  CHiPPS E-Journal, Selected issues arising near, at or following the death of a child. Issue 35. Pages - 38 - 42.

Click here to access the E-Journal


[Article] What parents want from doctors in end-of-life decision making for children

This study, with 25 bereaved parents used semi-structured interviews to examine parent's views and experiences of end-of-life decision making.   Parents reported varying roles taken by doctors: the provider of information without opinion, giving information and advise as to the decision that should be taken; and seemingly being the decision maker for the child.  The majority of parents found their child's doctor enabled them to be the ultimate decision maker for their child, which was what they very clearly wanted to be, and consequently enabled them to exercise their parental autonomy. Parents found it problematic when doctors took over decision making.   A less frequently reported, yet significant role for doctors was to affirm decisions after they had been made by parents.

Sullivan, J., Mongale, P. & Gillam, L. 2014. What parents want from doctors in end-of-life decision making for children.  Archives of Disease in Childhood 99 (3) pp 216 - 220.

To request a copy, click here, fill in form and return to library.

[Article] When to stop? Decision-making when children's cancer treatment is no longer curative: a mixed method systematic review

Children with cancer, parents and clinicians face difficult decisions when cure is no longer possible.   Little is known about decision-making processes, or how agreement is reached.  Professionals voice concerns about managing parental expectations and beliefs which can be contrary to their own, and may change over time.  This systematic review was carried out to determine what constitutes best medico-legal practice for children under 19 years of age.

Valdez-Martinez, E., Noyes, J. & Bedolla, M. 2014.When to stop? Decision-making when children's cancer treatment is no longer curative: a mixed method systematic review.  BMC Pediatrics.

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[Electronic Articles] Syringe driver safety issues: an update

The article looks at the current position of syringe drivers, and how organisations can safely manage a transition from older devices that have been a standard for 3 decades to modern devices, with different rate settings and a new range of alarms, functions and features.

Lee, P. T. 2014.  Syringe driver safety issues: an update.  International Journal of Palliative Nursing, 20 (3) p 115 - 119.

You can request this article from the library or download yourself using your Athens username and password.

To request a copy from the library click here, fill in form and return to library. To access electronically, click here, log in using your Athens username and password and search via the CINAHL database.

[Electronic Article] Patterns of diagnoses among children and young adults with life-limiting conditions: a secondary analysis of a national dataset

Numbers of children and young people with life-limiting conditions are rising, and increasing lifespans require young adults to transit to appropriate adult services.  The aim of this study is to describe the prevalence of life limiting conditions in children and young adults by age, sex, diagnostic groups, ethnicity and deprivation.  Individuals (0-40) with life-limiting conditions (LLC's) were identified within an English Hospital Episode Statistics dataset by applying a customised coding framework.  Their findings showed that the prevalence of LLC's is higher in the under 1 year and 36 - 40 age group, with the lowest prevalence in the 20 - 25 year age group.  In young adults the highest prevalance is accounted for by patients with an oncology diagnosis. The paper identifies a number of key areas that palliative care service providers need to take into account in order to develop efficient and equitable services.

Fraser, L., Lidstone, V., Miller, M., Aldridge, J., Norman, P., McKinney, P. & Parslow, R. 2014. Patterns of diagnoses among children and young adults with life-limiting conditions: a secondary analysis of a national dataset.  Palliative Medicine, 28 (6) pp513-520.

You can request this article from the library or download yourself using your Athens username and password.

To request a copy from the library click here, fill in form and return to library. To access electronically, click here, log in using your Athens username and password and search via the CINAHL database.

[Electronic Article] Prognostic indicators for children and young people at end of life

Recognising transitions in end of life care for children is difficult and hinders communication and care planning.  The aim of this research was to identify the signs and symptoms that are most useful in signalling when children may have end of life care needs. A Delphi study was undertaken with palliative care professionals who rated the extent to which 75 symptoms alerted them that a child/young person may have moved into his or her last (a) weeks/days and (b) months.  As in adult care, the findings showed that it is easier to recognise the last few days of life rather than the earlier transitions from supportive to end of life care. This study, the first of its kind to structure expert opinion about prognostic indicators provides important insight into which signs and symptoms are considered most valuable.

Shaw, K., Brook, L., Cuddeford, L., Fitzmaurice, N., Thomas, C., Thompson, A. & Wallis, M. 2014. Prognostic indicators for children and young people at end of life.  Palliative Medicine, 28 (6) p501-512.

You can request this article from the library or download yourself using your Athens username and password.

To request a copy from the library click here, fill in form and return to library. To access electronically, click here, log in using your Athens username and password and search via the CINAHL database.

[Article] Use of formal advance care planning documents: a national survey of UK Paediatric Intensive Care Units

In adult and paediatric palliative care, advance care planning (ACP) is a core element. The majority of children who die, do so in a paediatric intensive care unit (PICU). This survey aimed to identify and compare paediatric ACP documents that are used by UK PICU's.  28 lead clinicians for PICU's were emailed, with a response number of 24.  14 PICU's responded that formal ACP documentation were currently in use, the remaining PICU's had a range of documentation, which varied widely in terms of presentation content and intended use.  Some  had been developed locally, while others regionally.  The authors concluded that due to the variation around the UK in the existence of formal ACP documentation, consideration should be given to a national policy following further review and evaluation of the documentation.

Mitchell, S., Plunkett, A. & Dale, J. 2014. Use of formal advance care planning documents: a national survey of UK Paediatric Intensive Care Units.  Archives of Disease in Childhood, 99 (4) p 327 - 329.

To request a copy, click here, fill in form and return to library.

[Article] Providing constructive feedback to students during mentorship

The need to provide students with regular feedback on their performance is essential to the assessment process, but not all mentors feel confident to do this.  Five principles associated with giving constructive feedback are discussed.  The importance of preparing for feedback,

Duffy, K. 2013.  Providing constructive feedback to students during mentorship.  Nursing Standard, 27 (31) p 50-56.

You can request this article from the library or download yourself using your Athens username and password.

To request a copy from the library click here, fill in form and return to library. To access electronically, click here, log in using your Athens username and password and search via the BNI database

[Article] Alternatives to restraining children for clinical procedures

This article discusses restraint, and the negative emotional and physical effect it can have on children,
parents or carers, and nurses.  It discusses the importance of having a range of interventions to seek a child's co-operation with procedures.  It also discusses the importance of all hospitals and healthcare organisations providing care for children having an explicit restraint policy and provide education, training, and guidance for all healthcare staff.

Coyne, I. & Scott, P. 2014.  Alternatives to restraining children for clinical procedures. Nursing Children and Young People, 26 (2) p 22-

You can request this article from the library or download yourself using your Athens username and password.

To request a copy from the library click here, fill in form and return to library. To access electronically, click here, log in using your Athens username and password and search via the BNI database

[Article] Innovative harness for children with motor impairment

Article on the development and use of a standing and walking harness for children with motor impairment.

Bradley, P. 2014.  Innovative harness for children with motor impairment.  British Journal of Healthcare Assistants, 8 (4) p 163.

To request a copy, click here, fill in form and return to library.

[Electronic Article] Breakthrough cancer pain: the role of the nurse

Breakthrough pain is common in patients with cancer and is a significant cause of morbidity in this group of patients.  It is a heterogeneous condition, so it's management needs to be individualised.  Written from an adult oncology focus, the paper describes the management of breakthrough pain, and specifically, the recently published guidelines of the European Oncology Nursing Society.

Buchanan, A., Geerling, J. & Davis, A. 2014. Breakthrough cancer pain: the role of the nurse.  International Journal of Palliative Nursing, 20 (3) p 126 - 129.

You can request this article from the library or download yourself using your Athens username and password.

To request a copy from the library click here, fill in form and return to library. To access electronically, click here, log in using your Athens username and password and search via the CINAHL database.

[Article] Bereavement theory: recent developments in our understanding of grief and bereavement

In recent decades research evidence on the experience of grief has led to a broadening attention from the traditional focus on an emotional journey from distress to "recovery". This article looks at how the early theories of grief have come to be rejected and examines more recent theories which also consider the cognitive, social, cultural and spiritual dimensions of grief and loss.  It goes on to highlight emerging trends in bereavement theory, potential complications of grief, and the evidence for the efficacy of grief interventions.

Hall, C. 2014. Bereavement theory: recent developments in our understanding of grief and bereavement.  Bereavement Care, 33 (1) p 7 - 12.

To request a copy, click here, fill in form and return to library