Volume 4, Number 5, September-October 2007
BACK TO BASICSWinning the Flu Immunisation Campaign
POPULAR
TOPICDIABETES MANAGEMENTDiabetes Specialist Nurses: Making the Most of their Expertise in Primary Care
Sandra Waddingham Diabetes specialist nurses (DSNs) are usually experienced registered nurses who
specialise in all aspects of diabetes care. They work in hospitals and in the community,
fulfilling many different roles. As their work focuses on diabetes care they become very
knowledgeable in their subject area and are potentially a valuable resource. This article
looks at the role of the DSN and how practice nurses can make use of their expertise to improve
both patient care and their own diabetes management skills. POPULAR
TOPICDISEASE FOCUSChronic Wounds: Optimising Wound Management
Ayesha Clarkson, Mike Kirby Practice and other community-based nurses play a central role in achieving high quality
wound care in patients treated initially in general practice and in those who have been
discharged from hospital. This article summarises some of the wound management
products available for chronic wounds, and the importance of continued wound care in
the primary care setting, before focusing on one of the latest approaches – total negative
pressure (TNP). EDITORIALEditorial
Jan Procter-King “To be alive at all involves some risk.” Wise words from a former prime
minister, Harold McMillan. In terms of preventing cardiovascular disease
(CVD), we recognise that everyone who is still breathing is at some risk, but
we calculate their risk of a cardiovascular event to assess what preventive
action is warranted. New approaches developed for the UK look set to
Jan Procter-King make our risk estimates more accurate. FOOD FOR THOUGHTPass the Salt: How to Cut Down
Jodie Owen We’re recommended to eat a maximum of a teaspoon a day but nearly all of us eat
more. Salt provides sodium which is needed in small amounts for maintaining water
balance and is used in nerve activity – but too much can lead to serious health
complications. How can we help our patients to cut down on their salt intake? EVIDENCE IN PRACTICEEvidence in Practice
There are just not enough hours in the day to read all the research journals, even if you wanted to. This section of BJPCN –
Evidence in Practice – will keep you on top of relevant research without having to spend hours in the library.
Each review gives you a bite-size summary of new research, pulling out key points for primary care and recommending the action
that you might consider taking. HAVE YOU HEARD?Have you Heard?
MONITORINGMonitoring Kidney Function with eGFR
Donal O’Donoghue Around 2.9 million people in the UK have moderate-to-severe kidney disease. Estimated
glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) can help to identify patients at high risk of
cardiovascular disease (CVD) and improve the prevention and management of chronic
kidney disease (CKD). In this article, we explain why it is important to detect CKD early,
how eGFR is calculated and how to reduce risk in patients found to have impaired kidney function. POPULAR
TOPICPREVENTION IN PRACTICEHands on Hypertension: Getting to Targets in Practice
Bev Cox Hypertension affects one in five people in the UK and is poorly managed despite a range
of drug and lifestyle interventions known to be useful and effective. We are constantly
reminded about the importance of getting people to target with blood pressure (BP)
treatments but this can be easier said than done. In this article, we will look at the
challenge of getting blood pressure readings down to target levels and we will work through
some case studies to explore possible solutions to achieving the targets in practice. POPULAR
TOPICTHERAPEUTICS REVIEWGlitazones: All That Glitters…
Brian Karet Glitazones were rapidly incorporated into the management of patients with type 2
diabetes after their introduction. How do they work and when should we consider using
them? And what should we make of recent discussions about the possibility of an
increased risk of myocardial infarction with rosiglitazone? POPULAR
TOPICKEEP AND COPYYou and your Treatment: Starting on Ezetimibe (Ezetrol)
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