Nursing

P2.23-07 Crucial, Complex, Caring: A Professional Development Framework for Lung Cancer Nurse Specialists (2023)

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Type of publication:Conference abstract

Author(s):Clayton K.J.; Fenemore J.; Barton P.; Roberts J.; Ivey S.; *McAdam J.; Shepherd P.; Magee L.

Citation:Journal of Thoracic Oncology. Conference: 2023 World Conference on Lung Cancer. Singapore Singapore. 18(11 Supplement) (pp S397), 2023. Date of Publication: November 2023.

Abstract:Introduction: Lung cancer specialist nursing is a varied, valuable and rewarding career, and the need for lung cancer nurse specialists (LCNS) is increasing. Lung Cancer Nursing UK (LCNUK) wants to encourage nurses to aspire to becoming an LCNS, and to support those already working in lung cancer teams to flourish professionally. We want employers to recognise LCNS' capabilities and to recruit and reward them accordingly. LCNUK therefore set out to draft the first professional development framework for LCNS. The Framework is intended to guide nurses, line managers and employers on the core skills, knowledge and expertise that LCNS will gain and demonstrate as they progress in role. Method(s): LCNUK convened a working group which reviewed exemplars and supporting literature., aligned with the four pillars of advanced practice. Feedback on the draft was sought from expert stakeholders and was approved by the LCNUK Steering Committee. The Framework was developed in a collaboration between LCNUK and MSD, who funded a policy consultancy to provide support. LCNUK retained editorial independence. Result(s): The Framework sets out the qualifications, clinical skills, knowledge, leadership and management and research capabilities that LCNUK expects aspiring and existing LCNS to demonstrate or be working towards. It includes case studies of nurses' career journeys and an example of a successful case for job matching and re-banding. The Framework is available on the LCNUK website at. Conclusion(s): The Framework asserts the crucial role of LCNS in managing safety-critical and complex patient care and in leading service delivery and improvement. We hope it will prove a valuable tool to nurses, employers and policymakers in understanding the complexity and importance of this essential role. Following collaboration with European lung cancer nursing colleagues, via ELCC 2022, while not implemented the value and importance of the framework has been acknowledged by Croatian colleagues.The framework has also been welcomed and acknowledged by the devolved nations of the United Kingdom, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.

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Psychological distress in lung cancer: patient selfassessment versus lung cancer nurse specialist (LCNS) judgement (2023)

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Type of publication:
Conference abstract

Author(s):
Walker S.; Lamonby V.; Orwin R.; *McAdam J.; Bate G.; Vick J.; Elrick N.; Shepherd P.; Flint A.; Dalrymple P.

Citation:
Lung Cancer. Conference: 21st Annual British Thoracic Oncology Group Conference 2023. Belfast United Kingdom. 178(Supplement 1) (pp S76), 2023. Date of Publication: April 2023.

Abstract:
Aims: Distress Thermometer (DT) tool compares LCNS' clinical judgment of patients' psychological distress to patients' self-reported assessment. Method(s): Few studies examine nurses' abilities assessing distress in patients, only one focusing lung cancer. They suggest Nurse Specialists within cancer settings struggle identifying distress using clinical judgement. The Distress Thermometer, a self-reported validated tool, can be used to screen for distress in cancer patients, but cannot replace comprehensive assessment. LCNUK members were surveyed May 2022. 44% used validated assessment tools and 75% confirmed these influenced management. LCNS each assessed 12 patients using The Distress Thermometer, face to face or telephone, occurring following first patient contact. The LCNS used DT tool assessing their perception of patient's distress level. Patients were asked to assess themselves using the same tool. Result(s): 45% assessments scored were identical 36.7% LCNS scored higher than patient 18.3% LCNS scored lower than patient 68.3% LCNS assessments within one DT point of patient Average difference of score between patient and LCNS was 0.4. 93.8% telephone assessments within 1 DT point 54.5% F2F assessments within 1 DT point Conclusion(s): LCNS's have excellent clinical judgement assessing patient distress, comparable to patient's self-assessment in most cases.

Results of an audit of the Peristomal Body Profile Assessment Tool (2022)

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Type of publication:
Journal article

Author(s):
*Nicola Tonks Natasha Rolls, Kimberly Bain, Paul Russell-Roberts and Mark Bain

Citation:
British Journal of Nursing, December 2022, Vol 31, No 22, S4-S12 (Stoma Care Supplement)

Abstract:
Background: Leakage is the number one concern for people with an ostomy. The 2019 Ostomy Life Study, a global study of more than 5000 ostomates, showed that 92% of people living with a stoma worry about leakage. Getting the right stoma appliance for each patient is key to increasing patient quality of life. Aim: The study was designed to assess the use of the PeristomalBody Profile Assessment Tool in helping choose the most appropriate stoma products for a given patient, decreasing incidents of leakage and peristomal skin complications. Methods: A multi-centre (33 sites, 147 patients) low-interventional clinical investigation was conducted in which the use of the Peristomal BodyProfile Assessment Tool was evaluated as a tool to reduce incidents of leakage, increase peristomal skin health and increase patient quality of life. A focus group of randomised participating clinicians (n=16) was held to explore the audit results. Results: The assessment tool most often took between 2 and 5 minutes to complete. It supported clinicians in selecting the right appliance for each patient, avoiding leakages and preventing associated peristomal skin complications. The assessment tool helped improve the accuracy and quality of documentation in the patients’ medical/nursing notes, increasing the quality and continuity of care. Participants reported that using the assessment tool helped reduce care costs by reducing the need for product changes, supporting product usage and return patient visits. Conclusion: Use of the Peristomal Body Profile Assessment Tool helped clinicians choose the most appropriate stoma appliance the first time, resulting in patients having healthier peristomal skin, fewer leakages, more confidence in their stoma appliance and a higher quality of life.

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Crucial, complex, caring: a new professional development framework for Lung Cancer Nurse Specialists (2022)

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Type of publication:Conference abstract

Author(s):Roberts J.; Barton P.; Clayton K.; Fenemore J.; Ivey S.; *McAdam J.; Shepherd P.

Citation:Lung Cancer. Conference: 20th Annual British Thoracic Oncology Group Conference 2022. Virtual, Online. 165(Supplement 1) (pp S40), 2022. Date of Publication: March 2022.

Abstract:Introduction: Lung cancer specialist nursing is a varied, valuable and rewarding career, and the need for lung cancer nurse specialists (LCNS) is increasing. Lung Cancer Nursing UK (LCNUK) wants to encourage nurses to aspire to becoming an LCNS, and to support those already working in lung cancer teams to flourish professionally. We want employers to recognise LCNS' capabilities and to recruit and reward them accordingly. LCNUK therefore set out to draft the first professional development framework for LCNS. The Framework is intended to guide nurses, line managers and employers on the core skills, knowledge and expertise that LCNS will gain and demonstrate as they progress in role. Method(s): LCNUK convened a working group which reviewed exemplars and supporting literature. The team produced a draft framework setting out the qualifications, skills and capabilities needed by nurses operating at different levels, aligned with the (Figure Presented) four pillars of advanced practice. Feedback on the draft was sought from expert stakeholders before the final document was approved by the LCNUK Steering Committee. The Framework was developed in a collaboration between LCNUK and MSD, who funded a policy consultancy to provide secretariat support. LCNUK retained editorial independence of the framework content. Result(s): The Framework sets out the qualifications, clinical skills, knowledge, leadership and management and research capabilities that LCNUK expects aspiring and existing LCNS to demonstrate or be working towards. It includes case studies of nurses' career journeys and an example of a successful case for job matching and re-banding. The Framework is available on the LCNUK website at www.lcnuk.org. Conclusion(s): The Framework asserts the crucial role of LCNS in managing safety-critical and complex patient care and in leading service delivery and improvement. We hope it will prove a valuable tool to nurses, employers and policymakers in understanding the complexity and importance of this essential role.

Emergency management of neck stoma patients during the coronavirus pandemic: a national nurse survey (2021)

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Type of publication:
Journal article

Author(s):
Senior A.; *Chan J.; Brookes K.; *Jolly K.; *Darr A.; *Ameen R.

Citation:
British Journal of Nursing; Jun 2021; vol. 30 (no. 12); p. 742-746

Abstract:
BACKGROUND: Neck stoma patient care involves significant clinical complexity. Inadequate staff training, equipment provision and infrastructure have all been highlighted as causes for avoidable patient harm.
AIMS: To establish the perception of knowledge and confidence levels relating to the emergency management of neck stomas among UK nurses during the COVID-19 pandemic.
METHOD(S): A nationwide prospective electronic survey of both primary and secondary care nurses via the Royal College of Nursing and social media. FINDINGS: 402 responses were collated: 81 primary care and 321 secondary care; the majority (n=130) were band 5. Forty-nine per cent could differentiate between a laryngectomy and a tracheostomy; ENT nurses scored highest (1.56; range 0-2) on knowledge. Fifty-seven per cent could oxygenate a tracheostomy stoma correctly and 54% could oxygenate a laryngectomy stoma correctly. Sixty-five per cent cited inadequate neck stoma training and 91% felt inclusion of neck stoma training was essential within the nursing curriculum.
CONCLUSION(S): Clinical deficiencies of management identified by nurses can be attributed to a lack of confidence secondary to reduced clinical exposure and education.

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Service redesign: how a tissue viability specialist lead nurse developed and improved acute wound care through real-world evidence and partnership working (2021)

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Type of publication:
Journal article

Author(s):
*Clare Checketts, Jacqui Hughes, Helen Horton, Tim Styche

Citation:
British Journal of Healthcare Management, May 2021; vol. 27 (no. 5); p. 116-125

Abstract:
The importance of leadership in service redesign should not be underestimated. Increasing demand for services and cost-effective approaches makes the drive and dedication of a leader towards quality improvement crucial. The lead tissue viability nurse at the Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS Trust worked in partnership with the wound care industry to redesign the trust’s acute wound care service. An audit was carried out and an opportunity to reduce variations in care was identified. To achieve this, the service reduced the number of foam dressings on the formulary, listing only the ALLEVYN (Smith+Nephew, UK) family of wound dressings. As a result, the volume of dressings used reduced by 4.8%, meaning that the service produced less waste and saw a cost reduction of approximately £14066 over a 6-month period. This article highlights the positive outcomes that can be achieved through streamlining formularies, reducing variations in care and delivering robust care pathways. It also describes the collaborative working approach taken by this service, spearheaded by the lead tissue viability nurse, as an example of innovative practice for other NHS trusts.

Community-acquired pneumonia: what community nurses should know. (2019)

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Type of publication:
Journal article

Author(s):
*Pickstock, Shirley

Citation:
Journal of Community Nursing; Apr 2019; vol. 33 (no. 2); p. 50-54

Abstract:
Pneumonia has a huge impact upon the healthcare system in the UK and is not only associated with higher rates of hospital admissions than any other respiratory disease, but also carries a high risk of mortality. This article offers an overview of community-acquired pneumonia in adult patients, including the pathophysiology, common aetiologies, at-risk groups and pharmacological management. There is also a brief discussion on differential diagnoses and potential strategies to support clinical decision-making in the community.

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