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Why you should read this article: • To understand the importance of effective communication when escalating care of the deteriorating patient • To increase your knowledge of how to conduct a systematic assessment of the deteriorating patient • To enhance your ability to effectively convey your concerns about a deteriorating patient using a structured communication tool Evidence suggests that improvements in clinical practice are required to ensure that deteriorating patients are rapidly identified and assessed in a systematic manner. The important step of escalating care involves a detailed handover to the most appropriate colleague so that interventions can be put in place to reverse or optimise the patient's condition. However, multiple issues can hinder this handover process, including a lack of confidence among nurses and suboptimal team dynamics or cultures. Using structured communication tools such as situation, background, assessment, recommendation (SBAR) can assist nurses in delivering a handover that results in the desired outcome. This article explains the steps involved in identifying, assessing and escalating the care of deteriorating patients, and describes the components of an effective handover. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Staying in hospital, particularly when undergoing surgical treatment, may be emotionally distressing. Patients may have to deal with separation from family and friends, disruption to routine as well as the possibility of an uncertain future. Anxiety may be related to anticipation of painful or life-changing investigations, or the effects of surgery on the individual's future family and social life. Therefore it is important that patients are given appropriate information to reassure them and enable informed decision making. This article outlines the importance of using targeted information to meet the needs of individual patients to reduce pre-operative anxiety. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article explores the skills needed for effective communication with people who have dementia. It describes the factors that influence the communication process and the effect this may have on the nurse-patient therapeutic relationship. Cognitive impairment in people with dementia may limit their ability to communicate effectively. This may, in turn, affect the nurse's ability to identify patients' needs. Communication is central to providing good dementia care. The article examines some of the challenges nurses may face when caring for this patient group and suggests some strategies to overcome any barriers, enhance quality of care and improve patient outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]