No abstract

The use of a sterile transparent dressing (Venigard, Consolidated Medical Equipment, London) was compared to the use of a non-sterile tape (Mefix, Molnlycke, Sweden) for securing peripheral cannulae in paediatric patients. Children from all medical specialties were prospectively randomised into one of two groups. The failure of a cannula (defined as the removal of the cannula before treatment was completed) was plotted against duration in each of the two groups. Statistical tests (life table analysis) suggested no significant difference (p = > 0.05). The authors conclude that the use of a sterile transparent dressing secures peripheral cannula as effectively as non-sterile tape.

No abstract

Nursing education is continuously evolving to meet Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) requirements for registered nurses. NMC standards state that all registered nurses are responsible for the student learning experience. However, newly qualified nurses can feel underprepared to support pre-registration student learning in the clinical area as the university setting does not facilitate formal peer support. This article will discuss the implementation of a peer facilitation scheme for pre-registration nursing students undertaking the BSc (Hons) and PGDip programmes in a higher education institution in London. The scheme trained second-year nursing students to be peer facilitators for first-year clinical skills sessions. This article will also consider the benefits of the scheme for both first and second-year student nurses.