Search

This article considers best practice in record-keeping and documentation in the light of recent public inquiries and reports, renewed national interest in record-keeping standards, and the challenge of moving from paper to electronic healthcare documentation and digital storage of data. The nature of the nurse-patient relationship is also changing, and should be reflected in nurses' record-keeping practices. Collaborative approaches to the planning and evaluation of care, and more emphasis on patients having a greater sense of ownership of information held about them should be reflected in nurses' and other healthcare professionals' attitudes and approaches to this aspect of practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article provides information related to smoking cessation in Great Britain. It reveals that the country has nearly ten million smokers and smoking remains the main cause of preventable illness and premature death. It also provides details on the study which suggests that 11 million smokers were admitted to the hospital and the move of the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence to publish a paper advocating the routine and systematic delivery of cessation support to smokers.