Papers by Melanie Rushton
Nursing Standard, Dec 9, 2015
Rationale and key points This article aims to help practitioners refresh their knowledge of basic... more Rationale and key points This article aims to help practitioners refresh their knowledge of basic life support (BLS) supplementary to annual mandatory training. The article offers a step-by-step approach to BLS based on Resuscitation Council (UK) guidelines. There is a need to practise BLS on a regular basis to ensure competency in this area. ▶ A quick assessment of the patient suspected of experiencing cardiac arrest should be made, followed by BLS. ▶ BLS should be performed without delay to ensure optimum outcomes. ▶ BLS is a structured approach to supporting breathing and circulation. ▶ Practitioners should maintain the correct techniques for BLS, including basic airway manoeuvres, chest compressions and ventilations. Reflective activity Clinical skills articles can help update your practice and ensure it remains evidence based. Apply this article to your practice. Reflect on and write a short account of: ▶ What you have gained from this article. ▶ How this article will influence your practice when performing BLS. Subscribers can upload their reflective accounts at: rcni.com/portfolio .
Nursing Standard, Sep 27, 2019
Nursing Standard infection/how to series Why you should read this article: • To optimise your pra... more Nursing Standard infection/how to series Why you should read this article: • To optimise your practice when undertaking temperature measurements at various sites • To understand the importance of measuring temperature to provide information about a patient's health and its role in diagnosis and patient monitoring • To enhance your knowledge of the factors that can influence the accuracy of temperature measurements How to measure a patient's temperature non-invasively
British journal of nursing, Feb 8, 2018
Nursing Standard, Nov 11, 2015
Rationale and key points This article aims to help practitioners to undertake the assessment of d... more Rationale and key points This article aims to help practitioners to undertake the assessment of deteriorating patients using a standardised ABCDE (airway, breathing, circulation, disability, exposure) approach that allows the practitioner to assess the patient in a structured and timely manner, and to identify the specific needs of the patient using the look, listen and feel method. ▶ Systematic assessment is central to recognising a deteriorating patient and to taking timely and appropriate action to minimise the incidence of further deterioration. ▶ The ABCDE approach can be used to identify patients at risk of becoming acutely unwell and to summon appropriate assistance at an early stage. ▶ The practitioner should review obtained physiological data to develop an effective management plan and indicate future investigations. Reflective activity Clinical skills articles can help update your practice and ensure it remains evidence based. Apply this article to your practice. Reflect on and write a short account of: 1. What you have gained from reading this article. 2. How this knowledge will influence your practice. Subscribers can upload their reflective accounts at: rcni.com/portfolio .
British Journal of Cardiac Nursing, Feb 2, 2015
The aim of this study was to increase student nurses’ confidence prior to embarking on a critical... more The aim of this study was to increase student nurses’ confidence prior to embarking on a critical-care placement in a coronary-care unit (CCU). Students often lack knowledge and confidence in relation to critical-care nursing and are often apprehensive about practice placements in these areas. A small-scale pilot study was undertaken with Year-2 student nurses, using high-fidelity simulation scenarios to replicate their forthcoming clinical placements. Simulation is promoted as a way of increasing confidence and competence for nurses; the teaching method provides a safe learning environment. Qualitative research methods were used to obtain descriptive data. The methods of data collection were questionnaires and telephone questionnaires. The students reported feeling more confident about going onto CCU following the scenario. The small number of participants is a limitation and a larger, longitudinal study is needed so that findings can be generalised.
Nursing Standard, Oct 14, 2015
Rationale and key points This article aims to assist practitioners to perform a respiratory asses... more Rationale and key points This article aims to assist practitioners to perform a respiratory assessment. ▶ A logical and structured approach to respiratory assessment, such as the 'look, listen and feel' approach, should be undertaken. ▶ The respiratory rate is an early indicator of deterioration of a patient's condition. ▶ Signs of clinical deterioration should be responded to in a timely manner. ▶ A track and trigger scoring tool can be used to evaluate physiological data, develop a management plan and indicate future investigations. Reflective activity Clinical skills articles can help update your practice and ensure it remains evidence based. Apply this article to your practice. Reflect on and write a short account of: 1. How reading this article will change your practice when performing a respiratory assessment. 2. Any further learning needs you have identified to extend your professional development. Subscribers can update their reflective accounts at: rcni.com/portfolio .
Nursing Standard, Jan 20, 2016
British Journal of Cardiac Nursing, Dec 1, 2012
In the second part of this series on circulatory shock, the authors provide a general overview of... more In the second part of this series on circulatory shock, the authors provide a general overview of the acute nursing management of patients experiencing circulatory shock. The holistic dimension in the care of these patients is also considered.
2018 10th Computer Science and Electronic Engineering (CEEC), 2018
Please refer to published version for the most recent bibliographic citation information. If a pu... more Please refer to published version for the most recent bibliographic citation information. If a published version is known of, the repository item page linked to above, will contain details on accessing it.
CIN: Computers, Informatics, Nursing, 2020
The link between effective basic life support and survival following cardiac arrest is well known... more The link between effective basic life support and survival following cardiac arrest is well known. Nurses are often first responders at in-hospital cardiac arrests and receive annual basic life support training to ensure they have the adequate skills, and student nurses are taught this in preparation for their clinical practice. However, it is clear that some nurses still lack confidence and skills to perform basic life support in an emergency situation. This innovative study included 209 participants, used a mixed-methods approach, and examined three environments to compare confidence and skills in basic life support training. The environments were nonimmersive (basic skills room), immersive (immersive room with video technology), and the Octave (mixed reality facility). The skills were measured using a Laerdal training manikin (QCPR manikin), with data recorded on a wireless Laerdal Simpad, and confidence levels before and after training were measured using a questionnaire. The no...
British Journal of Nursing, 2018
Aim: the Acute Illness Management (AIM) course was introduced into NHS trusts across Greater Manc... more Aim: the Acute Illness Management (AIM) course was introduced into NHS trusts across Greater Manchester in 2002/03 for registered nurses. In preparation for the transition from student to registered nurse, the AIM course was then included in the final year of the undergraduate nursing programme. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of the AIM course on student nurses' confidence in managing the acutely ill patient. Method: a quantitative approach was adopted. Ethical approval was granted by the Research and Ethics committee at the University of Salford. Results: a total of 192 student nurses attended the AIM course; 94% of the students completed a pre-course questionnaire and 100% completed the post-course questionnaire. Conclusion: the evidence suggests a significant increase in the student nurses' confidence in recognising, responding and managing an acutely ill patient following the one-day course.
Nursing Standard, 2019
Nursing Standard infection/how to series Why you should read this article: • To optimise your pra... more Nursing Standard infection/how to series Why you should read this article: • To optimise your practice when undertaking temperature measurements at various sites • To understand the importance of measuring temperature to provide information about a patient's health and its role in diagnosis and patient monitoring • To enhance your knowledge of the factors that can influence the accuracy of temperature measurements How to measure a patient's temperature non-invasively
Journal of Clinical Nursing, 2017
Aims and objectivesTo examine the extent that individualised education helps reduce depression an... more Aims and objectivesTo examine the extent that individualised education helps reduce depression and anxiety and improves self‐care for people who have undergone coronary artery bypass graft surgery.BackgroundIndividualised discharge planning is increasingly important following cardiac surgery due to recurrent admissions as well as the issue of anxiety and depression, often due to lack of preparation. The hospital to home transition is fundamental in the recovery process. Individualised education and person‐centred care ensure that patients’ educational needs are met. This empowers patients, increasing self‐efficacy or confidence, resulting in autonomy, a smoother discharge process and avoiding postdischarge problems and rehospitalisation.DesignA critical review of published peer‐reviewed literature was conducted.MethodsElectronic databases searched included MEDLINE, CINAHL, the Cochrane Library and PsychInfo 2009–2015.ResultsEight articles were identified for review, and a Critical A...
Nursing standard (Royal College of Nursing (Great Britain) : 1987), Jan 9, 2015
Rationale and key points This article aims to help practitioners refresh their knowledge of basic... more Rationale and key points This article aims to help practitioners refresh their knowledge of basic life support (BLS) supplementary to annual mandatory training. The article offers a step-by-step approach to BLS based on Resuscitation Council (UK) guidelines. There is a need to practise BLS on a regular basis to ensure competency in this area. ▶ A quick assessment of the patient suspected of experiencing cardiac arrest should be made, followed by BLS. ▶ BLS should be performed without delay to ensure optimum outcomes. ▶ BLS is a structured approach to supporting breathing and circulation. ▶ Practitioners should maintain the correct techniques for BLS, including basic airway manoeuvres, chest compressions and ventilations. Reflective activity Clinical skills articles can help update your practice and ensure it remains evidence based. Apply this article to your practice. Reflect on and write a short account of: ▶ What you have gained from this article. ▶ How this article will influence...
Nursing standard (Royal College of Nursing (Great Britain) : 1987), Jan 11, 2015
Rationale and key points This article aims to help practitioners to undertake the assessment of d... more Rationale and key points This article aims to help practitioners to undertake the assessment of deteriorating patients using a standardised ABCDE (airway, breathing, circulation, disability, exposure) approach that allows the practitioner to assess the patient in a structured and timely manner, and to identify the specific needs of the patient using the look, listen and feel method. ▶ Systematic assessment is central to recognising a deteriorating patient and to taking timely and appropriate action to minimise the incidence of further deterioration. ▶ The ABCDE approach can be used to identify patients at risk of becoming acutely unwell and to summon appropriate assistance at an early stage. ▶ The practitioner should review obtained physiological data to develop an effective management plan and indicate future investigations. Reflective activity Clinical skills articles can help update your practice and ensure it remains evidence based. Apply this article to your practice. Reflect o...
Nursing Standard, 2015
Rationale and key points This article aims to assist practitioners to perform a respiratory asses... more Rationale and key points This article aims to assist practitioners to perform a respiratory assessment. ▶ A logical and structured approach to respiratory assessment, such as the 'look, listen and feel' approach, should be undertaken. ▶ The respiratory rate is an early indicator of deterioration of a patient's condition. ▶ Signs of clinical deterioration should be responded to in a timely manner. ▶ A track and trigger scoring tool can be used to evaluate physiological data, develop a management plan and indicate future investigations. Reflective activity Clinical skills articles can help update your practice and ensure it remains evidence based. Apply this article to your practice. Reflect on and write a short account of: 1. How reading this article will change your practice when performing a respiratory assessment. 2. Any further learning needs you have identified to extend your professional development. Subscribers can update their reflective accounts at: rcni.com/portfolio .
British Journal of Cardiac Nursing, 2012
This article, the first in a series of two, provides an introduction to the subject of circulator... more This article, the first in a series of two, provides an introduction to the subject of circulatory shock. It discusses the definition of shock, its pathophysiology and incidence, and discusses its different causes. The second part of the series will provides the reader with an overview of the acute nursing management of patients presenting with the different forms of circulatory shock.
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Papers by Melanie Rushton