Abstract: This article examines historical events within one hospital and compares them with contemporary risk management practices. The examples involve a nurse sustaining injury in the course of her work, a fire in the hospital and two instances of patient complaints – one concerning nursing care and the other relating to a time lag between admission to hospital and receiving medical attention. Analysis of the processes followed in investigating these occurrences reveals that these historic investigations were small in scale and less bureaucratic than contemporary practice, and were based on a culture of blame. This is contrasted with modern risk management practices which are more focused on understanding what can be learned from the incident with respect to preventing recurrence.

Abstract: Highlights how women challenged the concept of 'medicalised mothering' during the period 1945-2000, and how these views affected the development of the Well Child/Tamariki Ora Health book, or Plunket book. Analyses how the language of the book reflects tensions between competing discourses and knowledge sources among mothers and health professionals.

Abstract: Notes the lack of evidence-based guidance for use of humour by nurses. Uses a qualitative descriptive methodology to explore how surgical nurses determine when and how to employ humour with patients. Enrols 9 RNs working in a surgical ward within a tertiary hospital in semi-strutured interviews to discuss how they assess patient receptiveness, build connections with patients and protect their vulnerability.

Abstract: This article reports the implementation of a collaborative project undertaken to monitor and improve the effectiveness of the prescribing practicum papers delivered within two Master's degree programmes in advanced nursing practice. The recent introduction of Nurse Practitioner registration in New Zealand has resulted in the development of a number of Master's degree programmes in which students can complete a Nursing Council of New Zealand approved programme for prescribing. For the study, a developmental action research approach was used. Data were collected through interviews with practicum students, their medical supervisors and academic staff. Formative findings were progressively used to refine delivery of the practicum papers and a thematic analysis of summative findings identified areas for further improvement. The findings suggest that the processes being implemented are developing well. The researchers recommend that further education is required to clearly differentiate medical and advanced nursing roles. They recommend that greater attention needs to be paid to the preparation of medical supervisors and, most significantly, revision of funding is required to more equitably support the ongoing development of nurses for advanced practice roles.

Abstract: The authors report a clinical audit that, combined with anecdotal evidence, verifies the practice of putting section 8B medical certificates on the files of voluntary mental health patients at the time of admission. This is seen as a strategy to balance the requirement to support and promote the autonomy of voluntary patients with the need to protect those patients or other people. A conceptual analysis of these issues indicates that such a practice is both legally questionable and ethically inappropriate. The authors suggest an alternative framework for practice that is legally and ethically preferable for both nurses and patients.

Abstract: Uses a retrospective audit of inpatient treatment and progress notes to examine nursing adherence to a hypoglycaemic protocol. Includes adult medical and surgical inpatients with type 1 or 2 diabetes who had experienced hypoglycaemia during a three-month period. Describes the treatment of hypoglycaemic episodes and variation from the established protocol. Identifies a high degree of recurrent and prolonged hypoglycaemia.

Abstract: The author reconsiders the meaning of expert, specialist and advanced practice. She proposes that they are distinctive and complementary aspects of every nursing role and suggests a set of attributes for each. Expertise is discussed in terms of the quality of performance, speciality in relation to particularity of performance, and advanced practice with regard to the level of performance.

Abstract: This article presents the findings of a search for evidence to support the 45-60 degree angle of insertion for intramuscular injection of vaccine which is recommended in New Zealand. With the objective of discovering the evidence base for an intramuscular injection angle which differs from that recommended by the World Health Organisation and the accepted practice experienced by the author in the UK, Canada, Malawi and the USA, a comprehensive library and internet literature search was undertaken. Information was also sought by personal correspondence and contact with a range of immunisation specialists. Both the literature specifically on needle angle and that which includes needle angle within a wider investigation of technique is included. Overwhelmingly the evidence supports a 90 degree angle of needle insertion for intramuscular injection as being most effective in terms of patient comfort, safety and efficacy of vaccine.