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Improving the quality of the NHS workforce through values and competency-based selection. (Nursing Management 2016, 23(4))

Robust selection processes are essential to ensure the best and most appropriate candidates for nursing, midwifery and allied health professional (NMAHP) positions are appointed, and subsequently enhance patient care. This article reports on a study that explored interviewers’ and interviewees’ experiences of using values and competency-based interview (VCBI) methods for NMAHPs. Results suggest that this resource could have a positive effect on the quality of the NMAHP workforce, and therefore on patient care. This method of selection could be used in other practice areas in health care, and refinement of the resource should focus on supporting interview panels to develop their VCBI skills and experience.

The Academy Library does not currently subscribe to the journal that this article appears in, however we can most likely request it from another library. Please contact the UHSM Academy Library for more detail or call 0161 291 5778.

Reducing waste in the NHS: an overview of the literature and challenges for the nursing profession. (Nursing Management, 23(4) p.20-25)

Waste in the NHS is estimated to account for 20% of health expenditure. This article examines the literature on reducing waste, analyses some approaches to waste reduction, and identifies the role that nurses and other health professionals can play in developing a sustainable NHS. For the purposes of the article, and to inform nursing practice, the definition of, and discussion about, waste is broader than that outlined by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) controlled waste regulations, and the Royal College of Nursing classification. It includes clinical waste, waste arising out of clinical practice, service delivery and care, infrastructure, and carbon emissions.

The development of service user-led recommendations for health and social care services on leaving hospital with memory loss or dementia – the SHARED study. (Health Expect. 2016 Jul 8)

Health and social care services are under strain providing care in the community particularly at hospital discharge. Patient and carer experiences can inform and shape services. The objective of this study was to develop service user-led recommendations enabling smooth transition for people living with memory loss from acute hospital to community. The study’s results show a poor delivery of services caused considerable stress to some study families living with memory loss. Three key recommendations included a need for a written, mutually agreed discharge plan, a named coordinator of services, and improved domiciliary care services. Concludes that vulnerable patients with memory loss find coming out of hospital after an extended period a stressful experience. The SHARED study contributes to understanding the hospital discharge process through the eyes of the patient and carer living with memory loss and has the potential to contribute to more efficient use of resources and to improving health outcomes in communities.

On the road to positivity: Seeking to build a positive nursing environment at Northampton General Hospital NHS Trust, nursing director Carolyn Fox looked across the Atlantic for inspiration – and found the Pathway to Excellence. (Nursing Standard, 2016, 30(45) p.22-24)

Building an environment where nurses and midwives feel empowered and valued is key to the strategy of many nursing directors, but this can sometimes be a challenge. Signing up to a recognised and evidenced programme can help organisations achieve the progress they are looking for, and is a way of recognising what they have achieved.

Two recent reports seek to empower nurses to take on more responsibilities in light of staff shortages. (Nursing Management, 2016, 2394) p.8-9)

Has more ever been asked of nurses? Within the space of 24 hours in May, two documents called on them to lead change and take on extra responsibilities in front line care.

Improving the quality of the NHS workforce through values and competency-based selection. (Nursing Management. 2016, 23(4) p.26-33)

Development of guidelines for family and non-professional helpers on assisting an older person who is developing cognitive impairment or has dementia: a Delphi expert consensus study.

Assisting a person with dementia can lead to significant carer burden and possible negative outcomes for the person. Using the Delphi method, this study developed expert consensus guidelines for how family and non-professional carers should assist a person who is developing cognitive impairment, or has dementia or delirium. A total of 65 participants (43 in the professional panel and 22 in the carer advocate panel) completed all three survey rounds. Of the 656 survey items that were rated, a total of 389 items were endorsed by at least 80 % of each panel. The endorsed items formed the basis of a guidelines document that explains what family and non-professional carers need to know and do when assisting a person who is developing cognitive impairment, or has dementia or delirium. Concludes: The two groups of experts were able to reach substantial consensus on how to assist a person who is developing cognitive impairment, or has dementia or delirium.

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Managing Your Loved One’s Health: Development of a New Care Management Measure for Dementia Family Caregivers. (J Appl Gerontol. 2016 Jul 5)

The National Alzheimer’s Plan calls for improving health care for people living with dementia and supporting their caregivers as capable health care partners. Clinically useful measurement tools are needed to monitor caregivers’ knowledge and skills for managing patients’ often complex health care needs as well as their own self-care. We created and validated a comprehensive, caregiver-centered measure, Managing Your Loved One’s Health (MYLOH), based on a core set of health care management domains endorsed by both providers and caregivers. In this article, we describe its development and preliminary cultural tailoring. MYLOH is a questionnaire containing 29 items, grouped into six domains, which requires <20 min to complete. MYLOH can be used to guide conversations between clinicians and caregivers around health care management of people with dementia, as the basis for targeted health care coaching, and as an outcome measure in comprehensive dementia care management interventions. The Academy Library does not currently subscribe to the journal that this article appears in, however we can most likely request it from another library. Please contact the UHSM Academy Library for more detail or call 0161 291 5778.

An ethnographic study of strategies to support discussions with family members on end-of-life care for people with advanced dementia in nursing homes. (BMC Palliat Care. 2016, 15(1) p.55)

Most people with advanced dementia die in nursing homes where families may have to make decisions as death approaches. Discussions about end-of-life care between families and nursing home staff are uncommon, despite a range of potential benefits. In this study we aimed to examine practices relating to end-of-life discussions with family members of people with advanced dementia residing in nursing homes and to explore strategies for improving practice. Four major themes described strategies for improving practice: (i) educating families and staff about dementia progression and end-of-life care; (ii) appreciating the greater value of in-depth end-of-life discussions compared with simple documentation of care preferences; (iii) providing time and space for sensitive discussions; and (iv) having an independent healthcare professional or team with responsibility for end-of-life discussions. Concludes: CONCLUSIONS:The Interdisciplinary Care Leader role offers a promising method for supporting and improving end-of-life care discussions between families of people with advanced dementia and nursing home staff. These strategies warrant further evaluation in nursing home settings.

Access the paper by clicking here An ethnographic study of strategies to support discussions with family members on end-of-life care for people with advanced dementia in nursing homes.

Impact of the ‘Artful Moments’ Intervention on Persons with Dementia and Their Care Partners: a Pilot Study. (Can Geri J. 2016, 19(2))

Engaging with art can be valuable for persons living with dementia.‘Artful Moments’ was a collaborative project undertaken by the Art Gallery of Hamilton and the Behavioural Health Program at Hamilton Health Sciences that sought to develop and implement a program of arts-based activities for persons in the middle-to-late stages of dementia who exhibit behavioural symptoms and for their accompanying care partners. Concludes that ‘Artful Moments’ promoted engagement and expression in persons in the middle-to-late stages of dementia, as well as having benefits for their care artners. Limitations of the study included a small convenience sample drawn from one hospital setting.

Access the paper by clicking here Impact of the ‘Artful Moments’ Intervention on Persons with Dementia and Their Care Partners: a Pilot Study. (Can Geri J. 2016, 19(2)