Accident and Emergency Nursing (2004) 12, 240–241
Accident and Emergency Nursing www.elsevierhealth.com/journals/aaen
BOOK REVIEWS
Minor injuries: a clinical guide for nurses Dennis Purcell, Elsevier, ISBN 0 4430 6277 3, pbk £24.99 This book has been written for Nurse Practitioners in MIU but should not be seen as being of use to this group of clinicians alone. This book offers a wealth of information to all levels of clinicians working within emergency care in many settings. The book takes us through a series of definitions in relation to commonly asked questions such as ‘what is a minor injury?’, ‘what is a nurse practitioner or an inappropriate attender?’ then moves us on to look into the background of clinical practice and discussion around where we are today in facing clinical issues for nurses. I particularly like how this book has been set out giving clear anatomical information, appro-
priate terminology, examination required and treatment options all extremely well supported by anatomical drawings or photographic information. The text throughout this book is clear and unambiguous and provides a quick and easy reference for the examination and treatment of most minor injury presentations. Personally I have waited eagerly for this book to be published. It has been a long time coming but I can truly say I have not been disappointed. It will, I am sure, prove to be a well thumbed, well read resource within our minor injuries unit. Lynn Walshaw Departmental Manager Ilkeston, UK E-mail:
[email protected]
doi:10.1016/j.aaen.2003.11.005
The high altitude medicine handbook 3/e Pollard A., & Murdoch D., Radcliffe, ISBN 1 85775 849 8, £23.50 At first glance the title of this book prompted the feeling that such a highly specialised subject was unlikely to appeal to many A&E nurses outside of the geographical areas where High Altitude Activities occur. Nothing could be further from the truth – reading this book was a pleasure. It is a comprehensive and systematic guide to all the factors that are essential knowledge for those engaged in High Altitude Activities, written in a comprehensible and straightforward way, accessible to professional and lay readers alike. More than that, much of its material is relevant to Rescue teams and A&E departments in areas that, although not necessarily close to High Altitude areas, nevertheless have to deal with patients doi:10.1016/j.aaen.2004.03.001
who experience difficulties in other remote areas, e.g., Scottish Highlands, Welsh mountains, Polar expeditions, ski resorts, etc. It has useful algorithms; lists of essential medical equipment; a glossary translating medical terms into comprehensible English for lay readers; information about travel related diseases, vaccines, pregnancy and contraception. I was surprised by how much of the information contained in this book was of interest and relevance to me as an A&E nurse in a remote and rural area, and will certainly use it as a reference book within my own area. Agnes Munro A&E Manager Western Isles Hospital Stornoway, Isle of Lewis Scotland HS2 0PB, UK