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Background: Studies have reported evidence on sharps injuries among nursing, medical and dental students but little is known about the amount, type and causes of sharps injuries affecting other healthcare students. Aim: The aim of the narrative review was to identify the extent, type and causes of sharps injuries sustained by healthcare students, especially those not in those fields. Method: Eight databases were searched using keywords to identify studies published between 1980 and March 2023. Findings: This narrative review highlights that some groups of healthcare students, including those studying pharmacy, physiotherapy and radiography, sustain sharps injuries from similar devices as reported in research on such injuries in nursing, medical and nursing students. Sharps injuries happen in a range of healthcare environments, and many were not reported by students. The main cause of a sharps injury identified was a lack of knowledge. Conclusion: More research is needed on the extent of sharps injuries in healthcare students in European countries and the UK as well as on their physical and psychological effects. Education and training in sharps use and disposal are essential. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

While there is a lot of emphasis on the need for good infection prevention and control practices and acute care, the increasing complexity of patients being cared for in their own homes means that there is an increased risk for infection. Good practice is required by community nurses to minimise this risk. Patients' own homes can present particular challenges in complying with good practice and this article looks at some of the barriers to optimum infection prevention and control precautions in this setting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A safety huddle is a meeting held among district nurses, allied health professionals, specialist nurses, administrative staff, community matrons and healthcare assistants, also known as the wider multidisciplinary team. This article aims to identify and discuss the importance of safety huddles within a community nursing team. The author, a Specialist Community Practitioner District Nurse (SCPDN), explores why safety huddles were introduced and the implications of staff and patient safety if a safety huddle is not performed. The article also discusses the role of the SCPDN, how patient harm is sustained when communication failures occur within a team, new technologies implemented into practice and the implementation of safety huddles electronically. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the article, the author discusses the working time laws in Great Britain like the 1998 Working Time Regulations, as well as their impact/s to community nursing. Also cited are the laws' aim to prevent accidents due to fatigue of health professionals, the common law duty of employers to provide safe equipment and systems at work, as well as the National Health Service's (NHS) 2019 Long Term Plan.

This article explores the immediate adverse effects experienced by nurses during the administration of systemic anti-cancer therapy (SACT), specifically cytotoxic chemotherapy, and whether closed systems are being used to minimise exposure risk. Many SACT agents are known to be carcinogenic, teratogenic and mutagenic and this has led to concerns relating to the increased number of healthcare workers potentially exposed to these agents. An anonymous online survey was designed, made up of four questions, to elicit whether adverse effects were experienced by nurses during preparation, administration or following administration of chemotherapy. A total of 46% of respondents stated that they experienced some form of adverse effect either during preparation, administration or following administration of SACT. More formal research is required in this area to explore the relationship between exposure to SACT and perceived adverse effects in healthcare workers administering SACT. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A 3-month evaluation was undertaken at the Kent Oncology Centre’s chemotherapy day unit (CDU) to trial an air-tight sealing disposal system for cytotoxic waste management. Research has identified the potential risk to staff who handle waste products that are hazardous to health. Staff safety was a driving force behind a trial of a new way of working. This article provides an overview of the evaluation of the Pactosafe system in one clinical area, examining reviews by oncology healthcare workers, the practicalities in the clinical setting, training, cost effectiveness and the environmental benefits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article tackles the problem of suicide among female nurses. Emphasis is given on the need to improve access to mental health care in nurses and points out the mental health effects of the stress nurses suffer from long hours of work and exposure to severely ill or deceased patients that lead to exhaustion and burnout. It calls for a the provision of high-quality wellness programmes and implementation of healthy workplaces that emphasize self-care and promote better work environments.

Every healthcare worker plays a vital part in minimising the risk of cross infection. Infection prevention and control (IPC) practitioners have the skills and competencies to assist organisations in improving engagement among staff and play a vital part in achieving this. IPC practitioners have skills in clinical practice, education, research and leadership, and these skills ensure high-quality care for patients and support strategies for engaging staff. This article highlights how IPC practitioners' skills and competencies are required for preventing infection and improving staff engagement. Engaged staff generate positive outcomes for both patients and staff, which is a welcome result for all healthcare organisations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ensuring patients are comfortable in bed is key to effective palliative care, but when moving and positioning patients in bed, health professionals face an occupational risk of injury. The turning and positioning (TAP) system is a new method of moving patients in bed, that evidence has shown to reduce the risk of injury to caregivers. Providing the correct bed surface is another aspect of bed care essential to the comfort of the palliative patient, and to aid wound prevention and treatment. It is important to take a patient-centred approach when considering the most appropriate bed surface patients. This article provides an overview and discussion of these two aspects of bed care for palliative patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this article Richard Griffith considers the impact of two recent developments, in case law from the European Court of Justice and a professional misconduct from the nursing and midwifery council, on the application of the Working Time Regulations 1998. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Health and Safety Executive have completed an inspection initiative focussing on the prevention and management of sharps injuries in forty NHS organisations. Health and safety breaches were found in 90% of the services visited and inspectors issued improvement notices to 45% of those NHS organisations. In this article Richard Griffith sets out the key findings of the inspection initiative and considers their impact on district nursing practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Over £400 million per year is spent on back injuries to NHS staff, and back injuries are the largest single cause of work-related sickness in the UK health sector. Moving and handling is an integral part of practice in a community setting, and community nurses face unique challenges to ensure the safety of and minimize risk to both patients and themselves. As with any care activity, moving and handling needs have to be assessed, planned for, implemented and evaluated. This article explains the legislation related to moving and handling, with particular application to community nurses. It focuses on the Health and Safety Executive's (2009) advice Working Alone: Health and Safety Guidance on the Risks of Lone Working, which reinforced that employers have responsibility for the health, safety and welfare of all their employees while they are at work. Employers have a duty to assess risks to lone workers and take steps to avoid or control these risks. Employees have the responsibility to take reasonable care of themselves and others. This article also explores the assessment of the specific risks nurses in the community are confronted with and provides advice on addressing and minimizing these risks at work, both in the client's home and in health-care facilities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The outcome of a consultation on mandatory COVID-19 vaccination for health and social care staff must result in a standard approach being taken nationwide, argues Sam Foster, Chief Nurse, Oxford University Hospitals [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Presents a study that discusses the association of occupational injuries with the manual handling of loads and patients in Great Britain. Consideration of training in manual handling techniques on primary means of avoiding and preventing occupational injury; Lifetime prevalence of physiotherapists on work-related musculoskeletal disorders; Implementation of the researchers on an on-site education program on incidence of low back pain of participants.

The author discusses the mental health, psychosocial, and psychological stress on the general population and healthcare staff caused by the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic in Great Britain as of 2021. Topics covered include the additional stress from potential severe acute respiratory (SAR)-CoV-2 exposure, and nurses' resilient speedy changes in their working practices. Also noted is the hope that the vaccination roll-out will herald the pandemic's end.

John Tingle discusses some major inquiry reports into patient safety crises in the NHS and asks whether any lessons have been learnt from events. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sam Foster, Chief Nurse, Oxford University Hospitals, describes the problems faced by trusts as they attempt to limit the risks faced by employees returning to the workplace as the coronavirus lockdown eases [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Advocating for midwives in the UK has been number one on the Royal College of Midwives' agenda. During COVID-19, this has been no different [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lone working is increasing in the UK, as care delivery aims to keep people at home. This means that the relative safety of a hospital or clinic with colleagues present is increasingly being replaced by isolated workers in unfamiliar and potentially dangerous situations. Lone workers should be as safe and protected as colleagues who work in a shared base and employers have a legal responsibility to protect lone workers and minimize the risks which may have traditionally been viewed as occupational hazards. This article sets out a rapid risk assessment tool that employees can use to assess the risk of a lone visit on a case-by-case basis, and take precautions accordingly. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The author reflects on the psychological and physical impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. These include distress, grief and dying, struggles of the British National Health Service in dealing with the crisis as well as the anticipation of dealing with its aftermath, and the previous and upcoming conferences of the British Association of Urological Nurses.

Considers the remedies that are available to an employee in Great Britain who is injured at work under the Health and Safety Act 1974 and against the employer for breach of contract. Contributory negligence; Willing acceptance of the risk of harm; Statutory rights; Constructive dismissal; Criminal injury compensation through the criminal courts. INSETS: KEY POINTS;KEY POINTS.

Midwives have a duty of care to the women and babies they look after, but who has a duty of care to midiwves? Paul Golden explains when an employer may be responsible for harm [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses the potential use of closed-system transfer devices (CSTDs) for the safe handling of drugs in Great Britain as a means of preventing the transmission of environmental contaminants into patients and the release of hazardous concentrations of drugs or vapour. Best-practice guidelines for nurses and pharmacy staff members are examined, along with the United Kingdom Oncology Society (UKONS) and workplace safety concerns and systemic anti-cancer therapy (SACT).

The article discusses compliance of midwives to the Health and Safety (Sharps Instruments in Healthcare) Regulations 2013 being implemented by the British Health and Safety Executive (HSE). Topics explored include the goal of the HSE to prevent injuries associated with medical sharps use, the safety procedures for utilization and disposal of sharp instruments, and the responsibility of midwives to report sharps injury incidents at work.

Sam Foster, Chief Nurse, Oxford University Hospitals, considers the need for those involved in frontline care to be empowered to look after their own wellbeing, in order to provide high-quality care for patients [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An editorial is presented which addresses the Editor in Chief's views about the British Nursing and Midwifery Council's (NMC's) revalidation process for nurses and nursing associates, and it mentions how each nurse must demonstrate the continued ability to practise in a safe and effective manner. Renewal rates for nurses and midwives are examined, along with the NMC's "Code" which outlines the standards for revalidation and readmission to the agency's register of nurses and midwives.

The article focuses on a revised code of professional standards for British nurses and midwives which was released on January 29, 2015 by Great Britain's Nursing and Midwifery Council. In the article the author reflects on the differences between the revised code and a previous code from 2008 and offers opinions on several points raised in the revised code and its possible impact on medical care delivery standards in Great Britain.

The article discusses laws on health and safety for the protection of employees from sharp instrument injuries such as scalpels, needles or stitch cutters. Topics covered include the Health and Safety (Sharp Instruments in Healthcare) Regulations and the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) policing the health and safety law and legal cases regarding sharp incidents. Also mentioned are procedures for use and disposal of sharps such as recapping needles, information on sharps risks and compliance.

Accidents at work cost the NHS some billion pounds every year. Over half of these accidents are due to avoidable slips and falls-the most common cause of claim for compensation faced by the NHS. Under the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999, the NHS as an employer and nurses as employees have a legal obligation to manage health and safety and to ensure that others are not put at risk by work-related activities. The first of a series, this article on health and safety law sets out the duties imposed on NHS organisations and their employees. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The author discusses manual handling practices followed by healthcare facilities in the U.S. and Great Britain. She informs that the Manual Handling Operations Regulation 1992 legislation has made mandatory for European member states including Great Britain to comply with manual handling practices. She states that giving training to healthcare staff will not be enough to make them comply with the manual handling practices rather staff should show empathy while handling and caring patients.

The article presents questions and answers related to changes to incident reporting guidelines which have been made to Great Britain's Health and Safety Executive, including how the reporting and information line services are changing, how to access information on health and safety issues and why the executive's information line service is ending.

The author reflects on the use of 12 hour shifts in the nursing profession. He suggests that 12 hour shift patterns have become the norm in many British hospitals and that many nurses enjoy working them. He argues that evidence from research which has investigated the use of 12 hour shifts shows that they are detrimental to the health and safety of nurses and patients and that the practice of using 12 hour shifts should be ended.

The article reports on legislation which has been passed and is concerned with the prevention of needlestick injuries in health care facilities, including Great Britain's Health and Safety at Work Act of 1974 and a 2010 European Union Directive on protection from sharps injuries in the health care sector. In the article the author offers her opinions on the prevention of needlestick injuries and on the needlestick prevention legislation.

Presents a letter of the editor concerning practices in disinfectant procedures in Great Britain. Use of glutaraldehyde as a cold disinfectant for heat-sensitive equipment; Health and Safety Executive's launch of its annual campaign focusing on eliminating employee exposure to dangerous substances in the workplace.