I IO Accident
the mentally
and Emergency
ill is not immune
Nursing
to this process.
This could easily have ramifications in the UK. The underlying message from this chapter is ‘good record keeping’! The final chapter reflects back to Arthur Inman, whose diaries have been published by the Harvard Library. He had an unhappy life which culminated in his committing suicide at the age of 68 years. Therapists reflect as to whether they could have prevented his suicide with the use of assessment tools shown in this book. With the increase in the number of suicide attempts A & E departments are seeing, the initial assessment and approach by medical/nursing staff can affect patients’ acceptance of the long-term therapy which may/will be needed. This is an area where medical and nursing staff can use guidance and help from the experts in this field, towards which this book can go a long way Susan Savgant
RGN
Staff Nurse, A G E Department Novtkampton
General Hospital
Emergencies gynaecology L Stevens
in obstetrics &A
Kenney
and
(Collaborator)
Oxfoyd University Press, 1994, ISBN 0 192620 51 7, 265pp, A-16.95 This comprehensive, informative handbook covers all aspects of obstetric and gynaecological emergencies, Many Accident and Emergency (A 81 E) nurses lack confidence when faced with patients who have problems related to contraception, assault, rape, injury during pregnancy and vaginal bleeding or discharge. Moreover, the authors assert that 1 in 20 of all A & E patients have an obstetric or gynaecological problem. If this is so, then this text certainly addresses an important but somewhat neglected aspect of A & E work. Though medically orientated the information is clear, authoritative and can be used by A & E nurses as a good source of
information around which their care can be based. The text provides excellent reference material for both nursing and medical staff, in particular, those who work in units without on-site obstetric or ,ynaecological care. To enable the reader to fully understand the conditions described, relevant anatomy and physiology are included. The practical information regarding the social and forensic aspects of assault and the chapter on legal considerations relating to contraception and abortion are especially pertinent to A 81 E staff. Finally the appendices, which offer listings relating to drugs and pregnancy together with contact addresses for useful organisations and help lines, augment this effective, practical handbook for A & E staff.
K C&ilk !MSc, RGh! A 0 E Nurse/Manager
SCM
and Part-time lecturer
Manchester Mefropolitaiz University