Hi,
I have just joined a local community drug team as a duty nurse. This is a new role so I am in the process of developing it. Part of my role will be general health assessments including routine bloods (FBC, U&E, LFT and occ TFT), hep A and B vaccinations, wound dressings etc. Because it is a new Trust and a completely new area for me I am finding it a steep learning curve. Is there anybody out there who does a similar job.....which dressings are appropriate, do I need the BLS or ILS resus training for the Hep Vaccs (anaphylaxis), I'm trying to sort out a PGD so that I can give the Vaccinations but has anyone got a comprehensive pre and post test discussion/PGD etc.
Any help to point me in the right direction and get me started would be very welcome, Thank You

Funnily enough I am running a teaching session next week at a drug detox centre which we provide medical care for. I am putting together an information sheet for the nurses about Hep B vaccs, what to cover in pre and post test discussions, etc; I can email you a copy if you think it would be useful. As far as vaccinating goes make sure you have a shock pack and go on an anaphylaxis update. We all at the Practice do annual basic life support updates as well. Its all pretty straightforward - the pre and post test discussion doesn't need to be anything complex or lengthy! Getting blood from poor veins is more dificult though! Please give me your email address if you want the sheet / more information.

Hi Beverley,
Thanks for your reply, any info would be greatfully appreciated! My e-mail address is gr0ndh0g33@yahoo.com
Look forward to hearing from you soon,

Groundhog

I keep quite a basic set of dry dressings of various sizes, saline, gauze swabs, dressing packs. Iodine paste, Intrasite gel, tulle type stuff, micropore tape, ster-strips. Naloxone and adrenaline.
I can say that the Naloxone is quite important we had someone overdose in our surgery toilets last December, we didn't routinely keep Naloxone we only had it due to a Doctor leaving to go and work back in spain, she left me it and otherwise that patient may well have died.
On your room wall have doses of Adrenaline and Naloxone in bold when you need to use it you'll need to be quick and it does help.

Thanks Simon, Do you give Hep Vaccs? If so, what training did you have for anaphylaxis and do have a PGD for the vaccs? How about the Naloxone and Adrenaline, do I need a PGD to give these or will I be covered if I do the ILS training?
Thanks again,

We have yearly update with the PCT for anaphylaxis and vac and imms update. The PCT should have some protocols and PGD's already just get in touch with the head pharmacist.
You would need a PGD for the Naloxone and the Hep jabs/Adrenaline etc.
We mainly use the Twinrix and jab people when we see them it's not always easy for people to remember the schedules, we don't routinely do the blood tests for anti hb's

I tried to email you but it bounced back to me?? why!

Beverley,
Did you mail me? My lap top has been broken and I lost all my contacts so please send me a mail.

No Simon I was talking to Groundhog as he gave me his email address, but it didn't work!

oops, sorry about that, not sure why that didn't work...I've just sent one to myself at that address and it was fine. Did you leave the 'U' out of Ground hog? My husband registered it wron so it is gr0ndh0g33@yahoo.com with zeros , not o's.
Hope it works for you next time...thanks gh

I HAVE ALSO RECENTLY STARTED A SIMILAR JOB IN BIRMINGHAM, I HAVE PGDS, PRE AND POST TEST DISCUSSION AND VARIOUS OTHER INFO THAT I HAVE PUT TOGETHER OVER THE LAST FEW MONTHS, JUST LET ME KNOW WHAT YOU NEED AND I CAN SEND YOU ANY OF THE ABOVE OR ANYTHING ELSE WHICH I CAN FIND TO HELP YOU. GOOD LUCK, IT'S HARD WORK BUT WELL WORTH IT.