Clinical
Our clinical nursing articles aim to inform and educate nurse practitioners and students. This is achieved through the publication of peer-reviewed, evidence-based, relevant and topical articles.
Children’s and adolescents’ experiences of living with cancer
Why you should read this article: • To recognise the need to include the perspectives of children and adolescents with cancer in research and practice • To identify the value of seeking children’s and adolescents’ perspectives in developing child-centred interventions • To gain a greater understanding of the experiences of children and adolescents following a diagnosis of cancer Background All healthcare professionals working with children should have a child-centred perspective, and should be responsive to children and adolescents who want to talk about their thoughts and feelings. The child’s or adolescent’s story is the starting point for mutual understanding between them and the healthcare professional, and is the basis for shared decision-making between patients and healthcare professionals in child-centred care. Aim To advance understanding of how Swedish children and adolescents with cancer perceived the effects of the disease and its treatment on their everyday life. Method Ten girls and five boys, aged between five and 18 years, with cancer were interviewed individually using four communication tools. The interviews lasted between 20 and 65 minutes and took place without their parents present. The data were analysed using content analysis. Findings Transition to an unpredictable everyday life was identified as a main theme, with five subthemes: struggling with side effects of the cancer and its treatment; treatment as an ‘emotional rollercoaster’; changed self and being vulnerable; changed social life; and concerns about academic achievement. Conclusion To provide effective support and care for children and adolescents with cancer, healthcare professionals should strive to listen to them and focus on their perspectives.
Communicating positive screening results to parents of children with sickle cell disease
Healthcare professionals should be confident and knowledgeable about the disorder
Bereavement support standards for families following the death of a child
Introduction to the National Children’s Hospitals Bereavement Network’s support standards
Planning surgery for young people with learning disabilities
Why you should read this article: • To be aware of the challenges of hospital admission for a young person with learning disabilities • To recognise the importance of comprehensive multidisciplinary planning, communication and teamwork to ensure a successful outcome • To identify the need for input from dedicated learning disability liaison nurses in acute children’s services Surgery for spinal deformity is complex and preparation involves a wide multidisciplinary team. For young people with learning disabilities, especially those who have behaviour that challenges, there are further considerations to ensure that their hospital stay is a positive experience and all their additional needs are met. Staff and carers need to be well informed and there must be effective communication. Evaluation of one patient’s journey through pre-assessment, surgery and rehabilitation has identified the need for more input from learning disability liaison nurses in acute children’s services.
Improving practice in accessing haemodialysis central venous catheters
Why you should read this article: • To enhance your awareness of the variation in practice between children’s haemodialysis units in relation to accessing haemodialysis central venous catheters (CVCs) • To learn about the changes to practice in haemodialysis CVC access and blood sampling technique made by one unit to improve patient safety • To recognise how reviewing one area of practice may lead to changes in other areas In children, haemodialysis is used as a form of renal replacement therapy and is typically delivered via a central venous catheter (CVC). It is necessary to access the CVC for dialysis and blood sampling regularly, and safe line practice is essential to minimise complications associated with CVCs, including infection. The authors had concerns about the rate of CVC infection in their children’s haemodialysis unit, which prompted a practice review. A questionnaire was emailed to all other children’s haemodialysis units in the UK, which identified variations in practice and training. The authors subsequently modified their unit’s CVC access guidelines and blood sampling technique, and developed a new competency-based ‘haemodialysis CVC access only’ training programme for nursing staff. A willingness to review practice in the unit, supported by comparison and communication with other units, assisted in implementing this change in practice.
Paediatric inflammatory multisystem syndrome temporally associated with SARS-CoV-2 (...
Resuscitative care for a child with suspected PIMS-TS associated with SARS-CoV-2
Maternal experiences of domestic abuse and effects on the mother’s approach to parenting
Maternal experiences of domestic abuse can have detrimental effects on mothers’ parenting
Use of subcutaneous fluids in palliative care with children: a case study
A discussion of subcutaneous fluid therapy in the children’s palliative care setting
Designing an adolescent safeguarding curriculum framework for preregistration nurse...
A proposed curriculum framework for adolescent safeguarding education
Factors contributing to parental ‘vaccine hesitancy’ for childhood immunisations
A literature review of factors contributing to ‘vaccine hesitancy’ among parents
Evaluating a nurse-led sleep support intervention to reduce melatonin prescribing in...
Recommendations for a nurse-led, non-pharmacological approach to sleep support in children
Role of school nurses in identifying and supporting children and young people with...
A literature review on school nurses’ ability to identify mental health issues in children