Book: Bereaved parents and their continuing bonds: love after death

Catherine Seigal, a counsellor, shares the stories of bereaved parents and reflects on them to illustrate how they develop and nurture ongoing bonds with their child who has died.   Drawing on current theories of continuing bonds, the book discusses the role of bereavement groups, and a range of issues that bereaved parents encounter including the challenges when another child is born, the significant role of siblings in keeping the bonds alive and the particular experiences for parents who's child dies before or very shortly after birth.  A well written book, and relevant for all staff supporting parents after the death of a baby, infant or child.

Siegal, C. 2017.  Bereaved parents and their continuing bonds: love after death. Jessica Kingsley.

Available for loan from the library

Article: Efficacy and safety of cannabis for treating children with refractory epilepsy

A good overview of the current use of cannabis for the treatment of epilepsy.   The authors carried out a review of the literature and four papers were selected for the final analysis.  The authors found cannabis may reduce seizures with refractory epilepsy however it's success may be affected by the cause of the epilepsy, other anti-epileptic drug usage and a therapeutic dose has yet to be established.  They cite a number of positive side effects including improved sleep, alertness and mood. They conclude more research is needed, including randomized controlled trials.

Neale, M. 2017. Efficacy and safety of cannabis for treating children with refractory epilepsy.  Nursing Children and Young People, September 29 (7) p 32-35

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Article: Fifteen minute consultation: Practical pain management in paediatric palliative care

This article provides two case scenarios: complex cancer-related pain and multimodal pain in progressive neurological illness.  It provides a summary of the cases, and then discusses initial steps, ongoing management, aspects to consider, routes and doses of medication, and non pharmacological measures.

Harrop, E. et al. 2017.   Fifteen minute consultation: Practical pain management in paediatric palliative care.  Archives of Disease in Children: Education & Practice, 102, p239-243.

Article: Specialist paediatric palliative care services: what are the benefits?

This article examines the research evidence regarding the benefits for a specialist paediatric palliative care (SPPC) service, supported by a physician with specialist training.  Eight studies, from 5 countries were identified and provides a body of  low level evidence.  Themes across all studies suggest these services improve quality and life and symptom control and can impact positively on place of care and family support. 

Mitchell, S. 2017. Specialist paediatric palliative care services: what are the benefits?  Archives of Diseases in Childhood, 2017 102 p923-929.

Article: Undertaking drug calculations for oral medicines and suppositories

The article aims to assist nurses in identifying their competence in undertaking drug calculations and includes how to minimise the risks of medication errors, converting units of measurement, and the formula used for calculating tablets and liquid medicines.  A drug calculations quiz is included with 10 multiple choice questions which relate to the article.

Brindley, J. 2017. Undertaking drug calculations for oral medicines and suppositories.  Nursing Standard, October, 32 (7)  56-62

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Article: What influences palliative care nurses in their choice to engage or decline clinical supervision

This article reports on research carried out in a UK adult hospice using two focus groups of nurses, to compare the views of participants and non-participants.  The findings showed that all nurses used informal team support for "in the moment" support.  Nurses reported a lack of clarity regarding clinical supervision (CS), but once this was overcome and engagement with CS was established it led to change in practice, identification of training needs and team building.  The findings demonstrated the importance of choice for support and a model of support was developed showing the effect of each choice and how this may lead to team building.

Puffet, N. & Perkins, P. 2017. What influences palliative care nurses in their choice to engage or decline clinical supervision.  International Journal of Palliative Nursing, 23 (11) p 524 - 527.

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Article: Siblings of children with complex care needs: their perspectives and experiences of participating in everyday life

Participating in everyday life is essential to the healthy development and emotional well-being of children, however little is known how siblings of children with complex care needs (CCN) experience this. Sixteen siblings took part in this study, ranging in age from 7 to 25 with a median age of 14. Using a range of methods to collect qualitative data, four main themes emerged: (1)participation is about being part of a group, (2) it feels good, (3) I love my sibling but...., and (4) promoting participation.   The study found that siblings prioritised the relationship with their brother or sister with CCN, and often participated in activities around them and the family.  The authors concluded that healthcare staff should be aware of this and encourage strategies that help siblings participate in other activities that reflect everyday life.

Woodgate, R. L et al. 2016. Siblings of children with complex care needs: their perspectives and experiences of participating in everyday life.  Child: care, health and development. 42 (4) p 504-512

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Handbook: Caring Decisions

Caring Decisions is a handbook developed at the Royal Children's Hospital, Melbourne Australia for families of children facing a decision to stop, or not start life support.  It refers particularly to decisions about intensive medical treatment but is also relevant for children not in intensive care units.  The aim of the handbook is to help parents think through questions they may be facing.   The handbook is being published in two forms - a short printed booklet that outlines a few common questions about end of life decisions and a longer version online version.  Both versions includes quotes and stories from parents who have faced end-of-life decisions.

More information at: https://www.rch.org.au/caringdecisions/about_us/About_Us/

Article: A good resource for parents, but will clinicians use it? Evaluation of a resource for paediatric end of life decision making

The aim of this research was to ascertain healthcare staff's views on the acceptability and usefulness of a handbook and web based resource (Caring Decisions) that was designed as an aid for parents facing end of life decisions for their child.  The research confirmed the usefulness of the resource with two major themes identified: providing families with empowerment, and the usefulness of it for staff as a valuable tool in end of life communication.  The authors concluded that although it's usefulness had been demonstrated, it's use was dependent on healthcare teams.

Delany, C et al. 2017.  A good resource for parents, but will clinicians use it? Evaluation of a resource for paediatric end of life decision making.  BMC Palliative Care

Available to download

Article: Exploring the role of music in grief

The purpose of this US study was to gather descriptive information about the natural interaction between adult grievers and music.  141 responded to a survey.   The results revealed the majority of participants intentionally used music during their grief journey.  Unique roles of music in grief were discovered and insights offered that reflected the Dual Process Model of Grief.

DiMaio, L. P &a Economos, A. 2017.  Exploring the role of music in grief.  2017. Bereavement Care, 36 (2) p 65-68.

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RCN Competences: an education and training competence framework for administering medicines intravenously to children and young people.

This revised and updated guidance describes theoretical and practical competences for the education and training of staff administering intravenous medicines to children and young people.

RCN Competences:  an education and training competence framework for administering medicines intravenously to children and young people.  December 2017.

Available to download

[Book] Nurses - Test yourself in non medical prescribing

Written by two lecturers from UK Universities, the book is a useful source for those studying a prescribing qualification and preparing for exams.  It includes over 450 questions with full answers and explanations, and full glossary of terms.

Harris, N. & Shearer, 2015.  Nurses! Test yourself in non-medical prescribing. Open University Press.

Available for loan from the library

 

Article: Factors that influence parental decision making about organ donation

This article describes a review undertaken which looked at which modifiable factors influence parental decision making. Two main themes were identified:  interaction with healthcare staff and pre-disposition to organ donation.  Satisfaction wit hospital care, the information provided and the way it was communicated were all found to be modifiable factors that influenced decision making.  The article includes information for nurses to be aware of and to consider when communicating with families.

Cleaver, L. 2017.How modifiable factors influence parental decision making about organ donation.  Nursing Children and Young People,  November 29 (9) p 29 - 38.

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Book: Helping children and adolescents think about death, dying and bereavement

The book is a comprehensive resource that addresses how young people feel and think about death.  The book places a particular emphasis on the importance of listening to children and adolescents and adopting an approach based on their response. 

Carter, M. 2016. Helping children and adolescents think about death, dying and bereavement.  Jessica Kingsley.

Available for loan from the library

Book: Palliative and end of life care in nursing

Written mainly from an adult palliative care perspective, but also applicable for children's palliative care, the book is divided into chapters looking at communication, grief and bereavement, cultural issues, ethical issues, end of life care in a critical care setting, and ethical issues.  It's written for nursing students, and non specialists, mapped to the NMC standards and essential skills clusters, with learning activities throughout the book.

Nicol, J. & Nyatanga, B. 2016.  Palliative and end of life care  in nursing.  2nd edition. 

Available for loan from the library

RCN Guidance: Accountability and delegation: a guide for the nursing team

The updated guidance has been written for any  member of the healthcare team - nurses, care assistants, assistant practitioners.  It provides a good overview of delegation, the principles of delegation, two cases studies, and a delegation check list.

RCN Guidance: 2017. Accountability and delegation: a guide for the nursing team.

Available to download

RCN Guidance: Delegating records and counter signing records

Each member of the nursing team must take personal accountability for good record keeping. This updated RCN guidance draws on NMC documents to clarify the issues of delegating record keeping and countersigning records for nursing staff and employing organisations.

RCN Guidance: Delegating records and counter signing records.  June 2017.

Available to download