The Royal Marsden Hospital Manual of Clinical Nursing Procedures - Lisa Dougherty [6]
Structure of chapters
The structure of each chapter is consistent throughout the book:
Overview: As the chapters are larger and have considerably more content, each one begins with an overview to guide the reader, informing them of the scope and the sections included in the chapter.
Definition: Each section begins with a definition of the terms and explanation of the aspect of care, with any technical or difficult concepts explained.
Anatomy and physiology: Each section includes a discussion of the anatomy and physiology that relates to the aspect of nursing care in the chapter. If appropriate, this is illustrated with diagrams so the context of the procedure can be fully understood by the reader.
Related theory: If an understanding of theoretical principles is more appropriate background information to help carry out a procedure, this has been included.
Evidence-based approaches: This provides background and presents the research and expert opinion in this area. If appropriate the indications and contraindications are included as well as any principles of care.
Legal and professional issues: This outlines any professional guidance, law or other national policies that may need to be known about in respect to the procedures. If necessary this includes any professional competences or qualifications that are required in order to perform the procedures.
Preprocedural considerations: When carrying out any procedure there are certain actions that may need to be completed, equipment prepared or medication given beforehand. These are made explicit under this heading.
Procedure: Each chapter includes the current procedures that are used in the acute hospital setting. They have been drawn from the daily nursing practice at The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust. Only procedures where the authors have the knowledge and expertise have been included.
Each procedure gives detailed step-by-step actions, supported by rationale, and, where available, the known evidence underpinning this rationale has been indicated.
Problem solving and resolution: If relevant, each procedure will be followed by a table of potential problems that may be encountered while carrying out the procedure and suggestions as to the cause, prevention and any action that may help resolve the problem.
Postprocedural considerations: Care for the patient doesn’t end with the procedure. This new section details any documentation the nurse may need to complete, education or information that needs to be given to the patient, ongoing observations or referrals to other members of the multiprofessional team.
Complications: Any ongoing problems or potential complications are discussed in a final section and includes evidence-based suggestions for resolution.
Illustrations: The number of colour illustrations has been increased and where relevant they have been used to illustrate the steps of some procedures. This will enable the nurse carrying out the procedures to see in greater detail, for example, the correct position of hands or the angle of a needle.
Reference list: The chapter finishes with a reference list. Only recent texts from the last 10 years have been included unless they are seminal texts. For the first time a list of websites has also been included.
This book is intended as a reference and a resource, not as a replacement for practice-based education. None of the procedures in this book should be undertaken without prior instruction and