This Month in AJN – January 2018 monthly highlights

January 2018

Editor-in-Chief Shawn Kennedy and Clinical Editor Betsy Todd present the highlights of the January issue of AJN. The authors of our first CE, “Oral Care for Head and Neck Cancer Symptom Management,” describe an evidence-based practice change at a radiation oncology center designed to reduce the severity of oral mucositis in adults receiving radiation treatment for head and neck cancer. Our second CE, “Managing Postoperative Pain,” reviews the recommendations of the American Pain Society’s postoperative pain management guideline, and discusses its historical context and the current events that may affect its implementation in clinical practice. Our next article, “Original Research: Increasing the Connectivity and Autonomy of RNs with Low-Risk Obstetric Patients,” describes a study that explored the perspectives of patients, RNs, certified nurse midwives, and other providers regarding a new prenatal connected care model aimed at reducing in-office visits and creating virtual patient–RN connections. “Professional Development: Predatory Journals: Alerting Nurses to Potentially Unreliable Content” provides information for nurses on predatory journals and their harmful practices, plus online search strategies for identifying and avoiding the content published in these journals. In addition, there’s News, Reflections, Drug Watch, Art of Nursing, and more.

This Month in AJN –  December 2017 monthly highlights

December 2017

Editor-in-Chief Shawn Kennedy and Clinical Editor Betsy Todd present the highlights of the December issue of AJN. Our first CE, “Original Research: Does Certification in Vascular Access Matter? An Analysis of the PICC1 Survey,” explores whether and how certified and noncertified PICC inserters differ regarding their practices and views about PICC use. Our second CE, “Pressure Injuries Caused by Medical Devices and Other Objects: A Clinical Update,” provides a review of the etiology, identification, and prevention of pressure injuries caused by medical and other devices, plus highlights from the current National Pressure Ulcer Advisory Panel clinical guidelines. The authors of our next article, “Supporting Family Caregivers: No Longer Home Alone: Teaching Family Caregivers to Assist Safely with Mobility,” provide information nurses can use to educate family caregivers on mobility issues, including a tear sheet of key points and links to instructional videos. “Cultivating Quality: A Nurse-Led Ultrasound-Enhanced Vascular Access Preservation Program” explores how one institution reduced its catheter failure rate and use of nonessential peripherally inserted central catheters by initiating a practice change involving an ultrasound-guided insertion technique. In addition, there’s News, Reflections, Drug Watch, Art of Nursing, and more.

This Month in AJN –  November 2017 monthly highlights

November 2017

Editor-in-Chief Shawn Kennedy and Clinical Editor Betsy Todd present the highlights of the November issue of AJN. Our first CE, “Original Research: Primary Care Providers and Screening for Military Service and PTSD,” explores whether primary care providers in the private sector are screening patients for military service and subsequent posttraumatic stress disorder. Our second CE, “Preeclampsia: Current Approaches to Nursing Management,” provides a clinical update on current practice related to preeclampsia risk assessment, prediction, and management, plus pathophysiology. The author of our next article, “Creating a Fair and Just Culture in Schools of Nursing,” discusses strategies nursing schools can use to create a fair and just culture. “Perspectives in Palliative Nursing: Liberty and Justice for All” explores how circumstances faced by unauthorized immigrants can raise ethical quandaries regarding the principles of patient autonomy and justice. In addition, there’s News, Reflections, Drug Watch, Art of Nursing, and more.