[Article] Nursing care of patients at the end of life who are uanble to drink

The management of hydration of dying patients and the subsequent distress of their relatives can be distressing for nurses.  The article explores the end of life care in relation to hydration, hydration needs, the risks and benefits of clinically assisted hydration and communicating with relatives about hydration at end of life.

Pettifer, A.  2015. Nursing care of patients at the end of life who are unAble to drink.  End of Life Journal.  Published online 5 (1) epub 900002.

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[Article] Abdominal massage in the management of chronic constipation for children with disability

25 parents engaged in an abdominal massage training programme led by a specialist health visiting team. Participants were asked to carry out massage for a total of 20 minutes per day.  Quality of life indicators, description of bowel movements, use of laxative medications and contact with health care services were recorded by parents.  The results reported a wide range of quality of life improvements including relief in symptoms (87.5%), reduction in laxative medication (55%) and improved dietary intake (41%).  Qualitative data also reported enhanced parent-child relationships.

Bromley, D. 2014. Abdominal massage in the management of chronic constipation for children with disability.  Community Practitioner (December) p 25 - 29.

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 the library.

[Article] Methylnaltrexone for opioid induced constipation in patient at end of life.

An overview of the use of Methylnaltrexone, written by nursing staff from the Advanced Care Team at the Children's Hospital, Philadelphia.  The article covers first line pharmacologic options, and then the use of methlynaltrexone; adminstration routes, dosage, and nursing considerations.

Santucci, G. & Battista V. 2015.  Methylnaltrexone for opioid induced constipation in patient at end of life.  International Journal of Palliative Nursing, 21 (6) p 162-164

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 the library.

[Article] Use of oral formulations of fentanyl for breakthrough cancer pain

The aim of this commentary is to examine the benefits of oral formulations of fentanyl products and it's use with break through cancer pain.  It compares the use of oral, buccal, sublingual and soluble fentanyl products, their administration, tolerability and cost benefit.

Handsaker, S., Dempsey, L. & Fabby, C. 2015.  Use of oral formulations of fentanyl for breakthrough cancer pain.  International Journal of Palliative Nursing, 21 (6) p 168 - 172.

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 the library.

[Article] Applying the M technique in palliative and end of life care

Written by the Education and Learning Facilitator at St Richard's Hospice, Worcester, the article provides a background to the M technique and it's role in communicating with those critically ill or unable to verbalise thoughts and feelings.  The article demonstrates how healthcare staff can use touch in a meaningful way.

Wellings, V. 2015. Applying the M technique in palliative and end of life care.  British Journal of Healthcare Assistants 9 (4) p 180 - 183.

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[Article] Oral hygiene in dying patients with diminished consciousness.

Oral dryness and stomatitis are common in patients with terminal disease and patients with diminished consciousness are still often aware of oral discomfort. This article makes recommendations for clinical practice, considering the evidence for the effectiveness, appropriateness, and patient acceptability of oral-cleansing substances, toothbrushes, and foam swabs, petroleum jelly and water based gels for dry lips, topical saliva stimulants, and saliva substitutes, as well as topical treatments for stomatitis.

Martin, S. 2014.   Oral hygiene in dying patients with diminished consciousness.  End of life Care Journal, 4 (2) p 1 - 8.

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[Article] Mentorship part 1: the role in the learning environment

This article provides an overview of the role of the mentor, outlining the mandatory requirements, and the role and responsibilities of a mentor.  It focuses on what makes a "good" mentor, identifying practices that can be labelled as good and bad.  It then goes further to identify "toxic mentors" and outlines behaviours and 4 broad types of mentors that fit into this category.

Vinales, J. J. 2015.  Mentorship part 1: the role in the learning environment.  British Journal of Nursing, 24 (1) p 50 - 53.

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 the library.

[Article] Mentoring part 2: assessing pre-registration students.

Assessment and the importance of the mentor's role in assessing is the main focus of this article.  The reliability and validity of assessment and the mentors responsibility in assessing the competencies in the learning environment is explored, together with the roles of formative and summative assessment.

Vinales, J. 2015.  Mentorship part 2: assessing pre-registration student nurses.  British Journal of Nursing, 24 (3) p 174 - 177.

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 the library.

[Article] Nurse prescribing: antiemetics and extrapyramadil effects

Nausea and vomiting in specialist palliative care are common, distressing and debilitating symptoms, and increase in prevalence as disease progresses.  Pharmacological treatment of these symptoms can produce undesirable extrapyramidal effects that mimic symptoms such as Parkinson's disease, depression and anxiety.  This article reviews the common causes of nausea and vomiting, and the antiemetic drugs and receptors they antagonise, and the associated side effects with this.

Hickson, D. 2015.  Antiemetics and extrapyramidal effects: prescribing considerations.  Nurse Prescribing, 13 (4) p 186 - 188

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 the library.

[Guidance] Making decisions to limit treatment in life-limiting and life-threatening conditions in children: a framework for practice

This guidance has been revised to reflect changes in the scope and availability of advanced technologies.  Areas include the legal and ethical framework, the process of decision-making, practial aspects of end of life care, and practical aspects of decision making.  Care of families after the death of a child, supporting the healthcare team and key goals in the provision of bereavement support is also included.

Larcher, V., Craig, F., Bhogal, K., Wilkinson D. & Brierley, J. 2015. Making decisions to limit treatment in life-limiting and life-threatening conditions in children: a framwork for practice. Archives of Diseases in Childhood. 2015 100 (Supplement 2) S1 - S23.

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[Article] Advance care planning: practicalities, legalities, complexities and controversies

This article sets out to describe paediatric Advance Care Planning (pACP) and it's various elements, provide a discussion to support pACP, give pragmatic guidance, and discuss the difficult areas of prognostication and decision-making about appropriate levles of intervention that underpin pACP.

Horridge, K. Advance care planning: practicalities, legalities, complexities and controversies.  Archives of Disease in Childhood, 2015, 100 (4) p 380 - 385.

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[DVD] Paediatric trachestomy and management

Produced by Guy's and St Thomas's NHS Trusts, the DVD discusses and demonstrates all aspects of caring for a child with a tracheostomy.

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[Booklet] Support for muslim families who have been told their child is no longer curable

This booklet has been especially compiled using quotes from the Quran and Hadith to help Muslim parents make sense of what is happening to them from an islamic perspective

Hussain, Z. 2013. Support for muslim families who have been told their child is no longer curable.  Red Balloon Resources.

Click here to request a loan from the library

[Booklet] We will meet again in Jannah: an activity book

32 page activity book for bereaved muslim siblings. The book helps children make sense of their experience following the death of a sibling and offers a way of honouring their memory and celebrating their lives.

Hussain, Z. 2013.  We will meet again in Jannah: what a great day that will be!  Red Balloon Resources.

Click here to request a loan from the library

[Booklet] Caring for the muslim child and their family in hospital

Written for healthcare staff, this 32 page booklet provides an introduction to islam, religious and spiritual needs, understanding illness and healthcare, end of life care, and bereavement care for the muslim child and their family.

Hussain, Z. 2013.  Caring for the muslim child and their family in hospital.  Red Balloon Resources.

Click here to request a loan from the library

[Article] PEG tubes: dealing with complications

This article discusses the complications that may arise when caring for a patient with a percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy.  It provides a information on where to seek advice, and a quick trouble shooting guide to deal with the complications that can arise.

Hardip, M. &  Thompson, R. 2014.  PEG tubes: dealing with complications.  Nursing Times 110 (45) 5 - 11 November. p 18 - 21.

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 the library.

[Article] Last offices: nurses' experiences of the process and their views about involving significant others

Last offices are the procedures carried out shortly after a person dies.  Recent UK guidelines have advoced the involvement of significant others, but offer no guidance on how to facilitate this.  The article explores the experiences of 10 nurses in inpatient and community setting.

Martin, S. & Bristowe, K. Last offices: nurses' experiences of the process and their views about involving significant others.  International Journal of Palliative Nursing, 21 (4) p 173 - 178.

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 the library.

[Article] Continuous subcutaenous infusion in palliative care: a review of current practice

Syringe drivers are used widely in palliative care.  This article reviews the challenges and outstanding questions associated with their use.  The advantages of newer devices, safety and efficacy of drug combinations, selection of dilutent, and management of site reactions are discussed.

Thomas, T. & Barclay S. 2015.  Continuous subcutaenous infusion in palliative care: a review of current practice.  International Journal of Palliative Nursing, 27 (2) p 60-64.

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 the library.

[Article] Safe care of patients with tracheostomies

The article provides an overview of the complications associated with tracheostomies, a review of the care required and recommendations for nursing practice.

Plowright, C. 2014.  Safe care of patients with tracheostomies.  Nursing Times, July 30 - Aug 5. p 12 - 14,

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 the library.