Evidence and Practice

Clinical

Developing and evaluating a major trauma course and coaching programme for ward nurses

Developing a major trauma course and coaching programme for ward nurses

A bespoke course is helping to increase nurses’ competence when caring for patients with complex trauma

Reducing the burden on Welsh ambulance services and emergency departments: a mental health 999 clinical support desk initiative

Reducing the burden on ambulance services and EDs: a mental health initiative

How mental health professionals worked with 999 call centre clinical support in Wales

Nitrous oxide tank cold burn to the forearm: a case study and discussion of the literature

Nitrous oxide tank cold burn to forearm: case study and discussion of the literature

N2O burn presentations are increasingly common in EDs, pointing to need for more formal care guidelines

Using body-worn cameras in emergency departments: a pilot project

Using body-worn cameras in emergency departments: a pilot project

A rise in violence at one trust prompted the introduction of body-worn cameras

Improving care for patients who experience miscarriage in emergency departments: a practice innovation

Improving care for patients who experience miscarriage in emergency departments

A practice innovation to improve care and increase nurses' confidence in breaking bad news

How to triage patients in the emergency department

How to triage patients in the emergency department

Familiarise yourself with the steps required when triaging a patient in the ED

CPD articles

Blunt mechanism chest wall injury: initial patient assessment and acute care priorities

Blunt mechanism chest wall injury: initial patient assessment and acute care priorities

A prognostic model predicting complications helps nurses to asses risk and level of care required

Maintaining a safe environment in emergency department waiting rooms

Maintaining a safe environment in emergency department waiting rooms

How nurses can manage patients' expectations in a busy and unpredictable environment

‘Corridor care’ in the emergency department: managing patient care in non-clinical areas safely and efficiently

‘Corridor care’ in the ED: managing patient care in non-clinical areas safely

The unique challenges of having to care for patients in non-clinical areas

Overcoming the barriers to optimal end of life care in the emergency department

Overcoming the barriers to optimal end of life care in the emergency department

Nurses working in EDs can help ensure that the care needs of dying patients and their families are addressed

Managing infection prevention and control in the emergency care setting: an overview for emergency nurses

Managing infection prevention and control in emergency care

Overview of epidemiological perspectives including the nurse’s role in antibiotic stewardship

Recognition and management of patients with frailty in the emergency department

Recognition and management of patients with frailty in the emergency department

Familiarise yourself with frailty screening tools often used in emergency care settings

How to

How to break bad news

How to break bad news

A step-by-step framework nurses can use when having challenging conversations

Reflective discussion

How to improve patient care by learning from mistakes

Mistakes made in healthcare settings and the challenges to staff that arise from them can harm service users, consume time and money, and often receive bad publicity. However, by learning from these mistakes and meeting these challenges, practitioners can improve the quality of the care they provide. This article explores what is meant by mistakes and challenges in the context of health care. It suggests that front line managers are best placed to prevent and learn from mistakes, and thereby improve care for patients.

Practice question

A poster showing how to recognise a potential posterior stroke by using the acronym BEFAST

How can I identify the signs of a posterior stroke?

It can be difficult to recognise the symptoms, but the BEFAST acronym can help

A woman weighs herself on weighing scales while taking to a nurse to the side of her

How do I talk sensitively to people who are living with obesity about weight and health?

Even short conversations about weight can help patients, but avoid suggesting blame

A nurse talks to a woman in the emergency department: skillful patient assessment forms the basis of triage

How can I improve my patient triage skills in the emergency department?

Decision-making, patient assessment and triage algorithms are important skills to develop

An emergency department nurse leads a team debrief following a significant event

What should an ED team debrief involve and how do I lead one?

Emergency departments are high-pressured and debriefings can help sustain a healthy workplace

How can you identify and manage people presenting with delirium in the ED?

The condition can develop quickly and result in increased risk of dementia and mortality

What is the Sepsis Six tool and how and when should I use it?

Implementation of the protocol, updates and other guidance for nurses to consider

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