Port Macquarie Nurses' Conference 2021
Why Attend
Ausmed believes it is essential that nurses living in the Port Macquarie region have access to effective and engaging CPD on an annual basis. We look forward to receiving your support to ensure that this Local Nurses’ Conference is brought to Port Macquarie every September. Book your place at this year’s event and:
- Gain new knowledge for contemporary practice
- Network, share experiences, and connect with like-minded colleagues
- Help meet your CPD requirements
- Enrich your professional practice and personal growth
- Improve health outcomes specific to your local community and much, much more…
We recognise that attending a conference requires planning and the support of your organisation. See below to find out how you can gain support to attend this event.
Program
Welcome and Introduction
A Look into Diabetes: The Myths and Facts
The perception of diabetes mellitus as a complex and life-limiting condition prevails, despite advances in research and innovations in treatment. Confusion amongst people with diabetes and healthcare professionals alike is compounded by a wealth of information, often editorial, that liberally interprets trends in diabetes into attractive ‘cures’. Here we examine common myths, reveal the facts and consider a future vision for people with diabetes. This session:
- Reviews the incidence and growth of diabetes from a local, regional and global perspective
- Identifies common diabetes myths and discussion of the evidence in relaProvides an overview of current evidence-based guidelines for the management of type 1 and type 2 diabetes
- Overviews new trends and treatments in diabetes management
Lifestyle and Health Literacy: The Psychosocial Effects of Diabetes
There is often a high degree of focus that goes towards understanding and preventing the clinical complications of diabetes. However, less focus is placed on the psychological impacts of a diabetes diagnosis and the long-term changes to a person’s life thereafter. This session will look at a holistic approach to diabetes and its life-changing impact on a person. It includes:
- What common psychological impacts does diabetes have on someone?
- Who is more vulnerable to this?
- How can we improve our support for those living with diabetes?
Understanding Insulin Therapy
Insulin therapy is prescribed for people with type 1 and type 2 diabetes, depending on insulin production or resistance to insulin. This everyday medicine is not ‘one size fits all’ and individualisation of therapy is vital for optimal glycaemic outcomes. In this session, we will consider:
- Who needs insulin and why?
- What are the different types of insulin currently available?
- What education can we provide to patients for appropriate insulin administration?
- What is the nurses’ role and responsibility when administering insulin?
The Judicious Use of Opioids: Implications for Nursing Practice
Opioids are commonly prescribed medication for pain management in a range of settings, frequently as a PRN. Yet their potential for harm and misuse is ever present. It is essential that these medicines are fully understood so that they are appropriately used and so that nurses can confidently feel safe administering them. This session offers an in-depth review of opioid medications, including:
- The different types of opioids used today
- How opioids work to alleviate pain
- Management of opioid-induced side effects e.g. constipation, falls, etc.
- Dosing considerations in the elderly
- Identifying tolerance, preventing dependency, and assessing for toxicity
- Identifying drug diversion and other inappropriate behaviours
Navigating the Waves of Deprescribing
Medications are designed to treat, but sometimes they may cause harm instead. In these cases, deprescribing is utilised in order to safely reduce medications. This session includes:
- Understanding deprescribing
- Stakeholders in deprescribing
- Methodologies in deprescribing
- Enablers and barriers of deprescribing
Welcome and Review
Essential Physical Assessment Skills
Nurses are essential in the early detection of clinical triggers that may suggest a patient is deteriorating or has already become acutely unwell. Appropriate and timely assessment is known to reduce morbidity and mortality, thus improving patient outcomes. This session reviews important assessment considerations, including:
- Why we assess our patients
- Vitally important “vital signs” – why some clinical cues are neglected
- Top tips for quick recognition of acute deterioration
- Review of the key principles of assessment, including documentation and National Standards
When Deterioration Strikes – Great Teams Rise to the Challenge
This session will look at a low fidelity, high occurrence situation to get you working together. This short activity before lunch includes a group exercise to build on your communication and collaboration to support the provision of comprehensive care. It includes:
- How do you delegate tasks during an adverse event?
- How do you promote teamwork and why is it so useful?
- Why is communication key?
Clostridiodes Difficile - Why the Name Change?
Clostridium difficile recently changed its name to Clostrioides difficile. Why did this change occur and does it matter? This session also looks at a range of common pathogens found in Australia today and discusses their evolution as well as knowledge about them that has emerged over the past decade. Includes:
- What are the common pathogens found in Australia today?
- Why do they become deadly?
- What pathogens are the main cause of UTI, and gastroenteritis?
Preventing Central Line-Associated Blood Stream Infections
Central Line-Associated Blood Stream Infections (CLASBI’s) are the most common hospital-acquired infection in Australia. This type of infection may lead to sepsis and seriously compromise the health of an individual. This session reviews key considerations relating to the safe management of CVADs and prevention of Central Line-Associated Blood Stream Infections (CLASBI’s). Includes:
- What is a central venous access device e.g CVCs and PICCs
- How CLABSIs can be prevented
- Practical approaches to safe management principles to prevent infections e.g blood sampling, flushing, medication/fluid administration and dressing and line changes
- Guidelines to take back to your workplace to promote best-practice and ensure policies and procured are up-to-date
Diabetes and Diabetes Emergencies: Essentials for All Nurses
Diabetes emergencies can occur for a range of reasons, cause a great deal of anxiety and may be life-threatening. In this session, you will learn about current best-practice nursing care for common diabetes-related emergencies. It includes:
- What are diabetes emergencies, including what to watch for and how to respond
- Care of diabetes-related emergencies in the hospital and other settings
- An update on the most common medications used to treat these conditions
Managing Diabetes Pre and Postoperatively
Surgical and investigative interventions for people with diabetes can disrupt glycaemic control and contribute to delayed healing and increased morbidity and length of stay. This session will consider the perioperative management of diabetes, including:
- Risks associated with surgery for people with diabetes
- Differences in the perioperative management of people with type 1 and type 2 diabetes
- Oral glucose-lowering medicines and non-insulin injectables
- Insulin therapy
- Acute complications post-surgery
- Discharge planning – identifying those at risk of poor outcomes and how to support them
Presenters
Julie Droguett
Julie Droguett has been employed by the Central Coast Local Health District for 19 years. Her current role is the clinical nurse specialist in the diabetes centre at Gosford Hospital. Julie is a credentialed diabetes educator working in Diabetes across acute care, sub-acute, community, maternity and paediatrics. She is a professional member of the Australian Diabetes Educators Association and Diabetes NSW.
Need for Program
Good patient care is directly related to the quality of the nursing care being provided. The healthcare environment is rapidly changing and all nurses are faced with the constant challenge of keeping their knowledge, skills and practice, up-to-date. As well, the amount of new knowledge available is increasing. To achieve the desired patient outcomes informed, safe and competent nursing practice is vital. In addition, continuing professional development is a professional regulatory requirement.
Purpose of Program
The purpose of this conference is to enable all nurses to remain up-to-date on a range of current professional and clinical practice topics.
Your learning outcomes
Port Macquarie Nurses' Conference 2021
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