A comprehensive multidisciplinary approach was used to improve drug infusion safety in an acute care hospital in Melbourne, Australia. This project aimed to reduce the potential for drug infusion-related error, improve drug infusion safety for patients, and encourage incident reporting to inform and guide continuous quality improvement projects. The project applied a systems approach to medication safety, using redesign strategies such as continuous quality improvement (plan, do, study, and act) and re-engineering. Key safety design concepts such as standardization, simplification, and forcing functions were also used.

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INTRODUCTION Youth rates of sexually transmitted infections in New Zealand are among the highest in the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development. Registered nurses employed in primary healthcare settings (PHC RNs) may lack confidence engaging with youth about their sexual health. AIM To identify what facilitates PHC RNs to discuss sexual health with youth. METHODS This descriptive study was undertaken in two phases. In phase one, 23 PHC RNs completed an online survey. Phase two followed up the survey with semi-structured interviews with seven PHC RNs. RESULTS Most PHC RNs are female, aged between 40 and 60 years old and identify with New Zealand or other European ethnicity. Participants identified specific educational needs relating to youth sexual health that are not being met: legal and ethical issues (65%); cultural issues (65%); youth sexual (44%) and psychological (52%) development; and working with gay, lesbian, bisexual or transsexual youth (48%). Lack of time was cited as a barrier to engaging with youth about sexual health by 30% of the participants. Ongoing support practices such as regular debriefing, reflections of practice and case reviews with colleagues (74%); support from other sexual health providers (87%); and access to educational materials about youth sexual health aimed at health professionals (100%) were perceived to be useful to increase confidence in discussing sexual health with youth. DISCUSSION The PHC RNs lacked knowledge and confidence engaging with youth about sexual health. PHC RNs need resourcing to provide culturally safe, effective sexual health care to youth.

BACKGROUND AND CONTEXT: Reducing health disparities for children living in deprived areas has been difficult to achieve. This paper describes the implementation of a nurse-led, child-specific clinic within a general practice setting to improve health outcomes for high needs Maori/Pacific Island and NZDep96 quintile groups 4 and 5 children and their whanau/families. ASSESSMENT OF PROBLEM: The medical centre that implemented the clinic had a high number of enrolled children with chronic and recurrent morbidities. Children frequently did not attend clinic appointments, and there was high use of after-hours services. RESULTS: An outcome audit after 18 months demonstrated a significant (>30%) reduction in eczema severity, daily irritability, and daily occurrence of pain. Post-intervention fewer children were hospitalised and there was a 50% reduction in antibiotic use. STRATEGIES FOR IMPROVEMENT: The aim of the nurse-led clinic was to improve health gains, facilitate morbidity control of chronic conditions, and to offer prevention strategies to promote wellness for the target population. The reduction of morbidity severity by 10% was measured with specific morbidity scoring systems for eczema, constipation and nocturnal enuresis. Other outcome indicators measured vomiting/reflux, wheezing/coughing, constipation/soiling, irritability, sleep disturbances, hospital admissions, and antibiotic use. LESSONS: Nurse-led clinics facilitated by nurses with advanced skills can reduce health disparities for the target population. The amount of time the nurse is able to spend with the child and whanau/family, and the provision of opportunistic assessments as required, has effected positive change in those children most in need. KEYWORDS: Child health; low decile families; Maori/Pacific families: chronic conditions; nurse-led clinic

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