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34
Disposable Equipment
Much greater use is now being made of disposable equipment. All
injections are now given by individual disposable syringes. This guarantees
a sterile syringe for every injection and obviates the problem of trying
to sterilise instruments in the unsatisfactory conditions sometimes found
in domiciliary practice. Other "disposables" used by the nurses on the
district include items such as caps, masks, gloves and razors.
Incontinence Pads
The use of these pads in the care of the incontinent patient is increasing
rapidly. Nursing of this type of case is always a problem, especially during
the winter months when drying of the sheets is difficult. The laundry
service set up with the assistance of Edgware General Hospital has been
invaluable in this work, but, of course, is not the complete answer to
nursing the incontinent patient at home. Following the Ministry of Health
Circular 14/63, a scheme for providing incontinence pads was introduced
on a limited scale by the Middlesex County Council. This service has
continued and the demand is heavy and increasing. Distribution is through
the home nursing service, the home nurse taking this opportunity of explaining
exactly how the pads should be used in the home. This supervision
of use is considered necessary in order to ensure that the maximum
benefit of an expensive item of equipment is achieved as economically as
possible. During the year, approximately 6,000 pads were issued for use in
the home.
Disposal of soiled pads has not presented a problem as yet. The usual
method is by burning in the patient's home. However the increase in the
number of flats and maisonettes with central heating and thus lacking
the traditional kitchen stove or open fire, together with the spread of
clean air zones in the Borough, may soon raise problems over disposal
of soiled pads. Most of the new clinics are equipped with gas incinerators.
These have already been used on odd occasions and, of course, could
easily be brought into greater use if need be. This service is obviously
going to expand further and it may be in the future that consideration
will have to be given to instituting a special collection service for incineration
at some central point.
Training Courses
One nurse attended the District Nurse Training Course at Chiswick
Polytechnic and was successful in obtaining the National Certificate of
District Nurse Training.
Section 26—Vaccination and Immunisation
Facilities for vaccination against smallpox and immunisation against
diphtheria, whooping cough, tetanus and poliomyelitis were made available
as in previous years at all clinics in the Borough and, of course, can
be obtained through the general practitioner services if so desired. The