First Response, first cut: training video on treating injured motorcyclists

Book Reviews I23 excellent contributions from highlyqualified professionals who all have nursing backgrounds. There is a widening awareness of the increasing numbers of nurses who consider counselling as a part of their work. The concise, readable text being supplemented with real case studies can only enhance nurses’ counselling skills. Each chapter reinforces many approaches, theories and ways of practising, highlighting different techniques and backed up with their case studies. It becomes apparent throughout the book that the aim of the counsellors is not to take control of the individual but help him move into a normal coping process. Each contribution emphasizes the importance of awareness and creative listening. Counselling can never be easy. Elizabeth

McDonald,

Aberdeen

RGN) Staff Nurse, A G E Department, Royal Infirmary, Aberdeen

Pocket Guide to Critical Assessment 3rd edn L Talbot, Mosby

1997

Care

M Meyers-Marquardt ISBN

0 8151

5608

1 gl5.00

The assessment of critically ill patients in the A & E department is now a fundamental part of the A & E nursing role. Increased availability of a wide range of advanced life support courses means that opportunities exist for A & E nurses to develop advanced critical care skills. This pocket guide to critical care assessment may be a useful adjunct to nurses who have completed such courses as well as those who have not. The text is extremely comprehensive regarding the assessment process and is organized into body systems to aid easy reference. The downside is that the information is very medically orientated and, I feel, lacks the holistic and humanistic aspect of emergency nursing. The UK market may also dislike the US terminology. Furthermore, the ACLS Algorithms and drugs differ slightly horn current European Guidelines. Measuring 11 cm X 19 cm this paperback is designed as a pocket reference book and would certainly fit in most pockets. Although the information is organized into lists and charts for rapid retrieval, I am not convinced that it would be used in a clini-

cal environment. Instead, I think that it would be more useful to aid private study or during one of those rare quiet moments in A & E.

Availablejom A G E Department, Noble’s (Isle of Man) Hospital, Westmoreland Road, Douglas, Isle of Man, IMl 4QA, UK. k20, Cheques payable to The Forum

Karen Castille MSc, RGN, SCM, Senior Nurse, Business Manager, A &? E Department, Royal Bolton Hospital, UK

First Response, First Cut has been produced in the Isle of Man where treating injured motorcycle enthusiasts is an annual occurrence. The video is of particular interest to A & E nurses as the technique of helmet removal demonstrated is now often performed by prehospital providers, and therefore competence in this skill can be reduced for A & E nurses. The removal of leathers remains a difficult task, even when demonstrated by the experts, so the tips and good practice are extremely useful. This is a specialized area that is relevant to all A & E departments, especially those where the sport is carried out locally. The relevance of this subject clearly follows recognized trauma course guidelines, which can only encourage standardized systematic practice across all departments. The opportunity could have been taken to detail cervical spine stabilization and log roll techniques and I feel that this could have been enlarged upon. However, the explanation and detail with regard to the removal of leathers was very concise. The insight into how and why leathers are worn in the first place will be a useful reminder to all A & E nurses, that removal can sometimes be achieved without always cutting, and if cutting is appropriate, then the techniques demonstrated can ensure these costly garments can be repaired. Overall, the video gives practical advice about a specialized technique used in many departments, and demonstrates that team work with a systematic approach can be less expensive for patients and make life a lot easier for nurses.

Caring from convergence spirituality M Simone

the heart: the of caring and

Roach

Paulist Press 1997 USA $14.95

ISBN

0 8091

3717

8

Edited by Simone Roach, and with a contribution from her, I am sure this book will be sought out by many nurses. From recent workshops on stress and distress, which I have facilitated for nurses, it is obvious that this subject is neglected. Many nurses express perplexity, a loss of vision for their work and for its meaning. Lip service is paid to holistic care of patients and nurses, but there is little on offer to help them. Being ‘low in spirit’ is both seriously debilitating and, I believe, in the long-term damaging. This book deals with the whole dimension of spirituality, which will help nurses with the idea that spirituality is not just about religion. The contributors are closely involved in health care issues and this comes across well in the book. Students, as well as established health care sM, will gain &om reading it; I know that many struggle to find written work on the subject. We meet many people who are ‘broken’ and addressing spirituality is part of the healing process. I have no hesitation in recommending the book. Bob Wright, Hon MSc, RGN, RMN Clinical Nurse Specialist, Crisis Care Accident 6 Emergency Department Leeds General Injirmary, UK

Eileen Docherty,

Video Review First Response, First Cut: training video on treating injured motorcyclists

Coventry

Operational Manager A G E Services G Wanoickshire Hospital, UK