Evidence and Practice
Whorlton Hall, Winterbourne View and Ely Hospital: learning from failures of care
Using the semantic wave to support intellectual disability nursing students
Preventing, assessing and managing constipation in people with intellectual disabilities
Clinical
Whorlton Hall, Winterbourne View and Ely Hospital: learning from failures of care
A reflection on the common types of abuse experienced by service users in health and social care settings
Using the semantic wave to support intellectual disability nursing students
How a conceptual tool can be used to support applying theory and evidence in practice
Preventing, assessing and managing constipation in people with intellectual disabilities
Causes and risks of constipation in people with intellectual disabilities
Barriers to and complexities of supporting paid work for adults with learning...
Employing people with learning disabilities on training programmes and research projects
Safe sexual well-being in adults with learning disabilities
How special interest groups can support safe sexual well-being
Using the technique of mindfulness in people with learning disabilities
Nurses have a key role in ensuring service users can access mindfulness-based interventions
CPD articles
Exploring mental health issues in people with an intellectual disability
Mental health concerns among people with intellectual disability and the role of nurses
How learning disability nurses can support self-management for people with asthma
Asthma is a long-term condition that requires patient education, support and close monitoring. It is important that individuals are empowered and educated about their asthma and supported to self-manage as appropriate. Self-management is a goal that is recommended as an established and effective approach. However, it can be challenging for many individuals, including those with learning disabilities. Learning disability nurses can support individuals diagnosed with asthma to self-manage the condition and should have the knowledge, skills and competence to do so.
Management of indwelling urinary catheters for people with learning disabilities
Care should be person-centred, holistic and underpinned by current evidence-based practice
Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy feeding: clinical knowledge and skills for LD nurses
The knowledge and skills required to manage patients with a PEG tube safely and effectively
Insertion and care of nasogastric tubes in adults with intellectual disabilities
Many adults with intellectual disabilities require nutritional support as feeding problems are prevalent in this population. While many types of nutritional support are available, enteral feeding tubes, such as nasogastric (NG) tubes, are considered safe and effective. NG tube feeding is a common clinical procedure carried out to maintain patients’ nutritional needs when they have swallowing difficulties or cannot tolerate oral feeding. Insertion of an NG tube provides adequate nutrition and improves positive health outcomes and quality of life, but being fed through an NG tube may alter patients’ perceptions of feeding and mealtimes. Healthcare professionals, including intellectual disability nurses, should not underestimate the social aspect of mealtimes or the physical and psychological effects of NG tube feeding in patients with intellectual disabilities. Demonstrating competence and compassion with regard to insertion and care of an NG tube and applying best practice to ensure patient safety and well-being are critical to supporting patients with intellectual disabilities.
Inhaler and nebuliser technique for people with a learning disability
Healthcare professionals who support people who require an inhaler or nebuliser need to know how to use the devices, monitor and assess patients’ inhaler techniques effectively. Often, people have inadequate inhaler techniques, which can lead to poor management of their respiratory condition, increased signs and symptoms, reduced quality of life and increased use of primary/secondary care services and treatment costs. This article explains how to use inhalers and nebulisers appropriately and considers some of the challenges for children and adults with a learning disability. It also describes some devices and assessment tools, and explores assessment/review methods to help ensure people use their inhalers/nebulisers successfully.