This paper describes a creative library orientation program utilizing Blackboard to help beginning nursing students develop information literacy and successfully complete a cultural research paper. Design/methodology/approach-Information literacy components and course specific library resources are integrated seamlessly into NRS 110 Blackboard course. The students attend a one-hour library orientation and continue to receive research assistance from the librarian via Blackboard. Surveys are administered to the students to help evaluate the program's effectiveness. Findings-Results suggest that faculty-librarian collaboration in integrating information literacy and course-specific library resources into Blackboard courses is an effective way to improve library instruction and student learning. Practical implications-Offers a model for incorporating information literacy and course-specific library resources into faculty Blackboard courses. Originality/value-This paper will be of particular value to librarians looking to use LMS such as Blackboard to enhance traditional library instruction.

In this paper the authors discuss the introduction of ?episodes of care?, a new systemfor monitoring hospital-linked patient care services. They consider the proposal in thecontext of clinical, financial and technical frameworks. The authors conclude thathealth planners are likely to benefit from the introduction of this form of monitoring.The proposed change would also allow more accurate analysis of the true cost ofinterventions. However, it is likely to require significant investment in informationtechnology and there may be loss of patient confidentiality.

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