Doctors need to be aware of behaviours that may indicate patients are drug seeking, such as doctor shopping or asking for drugs by name, and should have practice policies in place to help them say 'no', according to an Australian expert. The authors say there is strong evidence in Australia of increasing harms from prescription drugs of dependence including deaths from overdose. The authors highlight signs of drug-seeking to watch for and point out that dependency on prescription drugs may occur at any age, within any cultural group, and across any educational class. [ + ]

[ + ]

[ + ]

An Australian-first study from Royal Perth Hospital (RPH) has found a link between poor traffic records and road trauma. [ + ]

That’s our aim. Not a single road death in Australia for just one day. Just one Fatality Free Friday. Fatality Free Friday continues to resonate with the Australian community and the efforts of this year’s campaign has reflected this. As we know road safety is a complex issue and it is impossible to find one single key to reduce road trauma. [ + ]

[ + ]

Details given in this document are believed to be correct at the time of printing. While proper care has been taken in the preparation, no liability for injury or damage resulting from its use. © BOC Limited 2014 [ + ]

[ + ]

Your documentation can be your defense or your downfall. You didn’t become a nurse to spend hours of time writing in your notes or to have them scrutinised by people trying to find fault in the care you provided. But the reality is that documentation is a necessary part of safe clinical care. [ + ]

A new study shows that using a transparent air-tight helmet instead of a face mask helps critically ill patients breathe better and can prevent them from needing a ventilator. Patients with helmet ventilation also spent less time in the intensive care unit and had better survival. [ + ]

[ + ]

TODAY, Tuesday, 17 May, members of the NSW Nurses and Midwives’ Association (NSWNMA) and community supporters will gather outside the Minister for Health’s office to demand the state government repeal its decision to remove registered nurses from nursing homes throughout NSW.   NSWNMA Assistant General Secretary, Judith Kiejda, local aged care nurses and a community aged care advocate will address the crowd to highlight the important role registered nurses have in these care settings.   A few weeks ago, NSW Minister for Health, Jillian Skinner, advised of her decision to remove the legal requirement for a registered nurse on site at all times in aged care facilities where there are people with high care needs. [ + ]

Hospitals are a 24/7 operation and shift work is a critical part of that service. Dr Maree Barnes, Sleep Physician and President of the Australasian Sleep Association has extensive clinical experience with sleep disturbance and shares her insights into how shift work can be sustainable in the hospital setting. [ + ]

“It was one of the most despicable things I’ve seen in my career. It was ten years ago. There were about twenty families being treated here whose kids had Neuroblastoma. [ + ]

Nurse retention rates and job satisfaction could be significantly improved through the provision of better designed hospital wards, with dedicated space for briefings and collaboration, paperwork, rest breaks and professional development, according to a new study by international design practice HASSELL. [ + ]