This section features a constantly updated list of recently published articles relevant to nurse prescribing.

Abstracts of the papers are included and incorporate an expert's opinion about the article. Users are encouraged to submit their views about published papers through the feedback section.

Please note: In this section of the website we aim to cover articles on areas where nurses do prescribe. However, not all the treatments or appliances mentioned are prescribable by nurses. For that reason, nurses should check the up-to-date versions of the Nurse Prescribing Formulary and Drug tariff if they are in any doubt.

Continence and stoma care
Click on the article titles below to read the summaries.

• Selection and fitting of incontinence pads
• Information on continence products
• Prescribing stoma appliances

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• Selection and fitting of incontinence pads

Morrison C. Disposable body-worn pads for incontinence. Nursing Times 2001; 97(30): 58-59

Summary: The importance of a full continence assessment is highlighted in this article describing best practice in the selection and fitting of body-worn incontinence pads. One possible problem is that as some products are now available off-the-shelf at supermarkets or pharmacies, clients may buy them without obtaining an assessment of the cause of their incontinence.

If the results of the assessment, which should include symptoms, investigations and treatment options, suggest that disposable body-worn pads are appropriate, it is important that nurses have good knowledge of the available products. The different sorts of pads and how to fit them are discussed. This article is one of several in a supplement on continence. back

Website: www.nursingtimes.net

• Information on continence products

White H and Evans D. Continence products – top five requests. Journal of Community Nursing 2001; 15(6): 30-32.

Summary: The top five requests from members of the public calling PromoCon, the national continence products helpline funded by the Department of Health and charitable trusts, are discussed in this article. Nurses may get frustrated at the restricted range of products they can offer and patients complain about the lack of choice and limited supplies available from the NHS. The PromoCon helpline is open Mondays to Fridays 10 am till 4 pm on 0161-834-2001. The top five requests from callers to the helpline were for information about bedding protection, swimwear, pads (alternatives and supplements to those supplied by local continence service), specialised products, and products for independent toileting. back

• Prescribing stoma appliances

Lee J. Nurse prescribing in practice: patient choice in stoma care. British Journal of Community Nursing 2001; 6(1); 33-37.

Summary: Prescribing nurses can now prescribe stoma appliances and associated products but as these take up 147 pages of the Drug Tariff the choice, although excellent, can be overwhelming. Patient preference, comfort and price should all play a part in selecting the appropriate appliance and this article examines the choices. There may be up to 100 000 people with a temporary or permanent stoma in England or Wales and stoma care is therefore a significant part of the community nursing caseload. As the approximate cost of the 1.3 million stoma care appliances and associated products dispensed in England in 1999 was £96 million, cost has to be one consideration. A full assessment by the nurse is essential and it may be useful to enlist the help of the local stoma care nurse, given the choice of products available. Patients must also be included in the choice of appliance so that they feel comfortable and confident and not restricted in their daily living activities. Nurses must make their prescribing decisions on an objective basis, without influence or bias. back

Website: www.britishjournalofcommunitynursing.com