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Intermittent self-catheterisation (ISC) is the method of choice for men with lower urinary tract symptoms who need to drain retained urine from the bladder. It is preferred to using an indwelling urinary catheter as it has lower risks of complications and catheter-associated urinary tract infection. Learning ISC can be challenging for men initially but, with the support of knowledgeable nurses experienced in teaching ISC, the technique can be learned, accepted and normalised, improving symptom control and quality of life. This paper discusses the results of a survey exploring men's experiences of learning ISC with the Hydrosil Go™ (C.R. Bard Inc—now part of Becton, Dickinson and Company) silicone catheter and to highlight issues important to men when learning and living with ISC. The survey collected data from four countries: UK, France, Netherlands and Italy. It aims to help nurses who teach ISC and inform them to discuss what matters to men when learning and living with ISC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Local wound infections are a major challenge for patients and health professionals. Various diagnostic and therapeutic options are available. However, a generally accepted standard is still lacking in Europe. The aim was to develop an easy-to-use clinical score for the early detection of local wound infections, as a basis for decisionmaking on antiseptic therapy or decolonisation. Method: An interdisciplinary and interprofessional panel of experts from seven European countries was brought together to discuss the various aspects of diagnosing local wound infections. Results: The result was the adoption of the Therapeutic Index for Local Infections (TILI) score, developed in Germany by Initiative Chronische Wunden e.V., specifically for health professionals not specialised in wound care. Available in six European languages, the TILI score could also be adapted for different European countries, depending on their specific national healthcare requirements. The six clinical criteria for local wound infection are erythema to surrounding skin; heat; oedema, induration or swelling; spontaneous pain or pressure pain; stalled wound healing; and increase and/or change in colour or smell of exudate. Meeting all criteria indicates that antiseptic wound therapy could be started. Regardless of these unspecific clinical signs, there are also health conditions for the clinical situation which are a direct indication for antimicrobial wound therapy. These include the presence of wound pathogens, such as meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, septic surgical wound or the presence of free pus. Conclusion: The development of the new internationally adapted TILI score, which could also be used by any caregiver in daily practice to diagnose local infections in acute and hard-to-heal wounds, is the result of expert consensus. However, the score system has to be validated through a clinical evaluation. This is to be performed in expert centres throughout Europe. Declaration of interest: JD has received research support, lecture fees and travel-cost reimbursements from 4M, Coloplast, Convatec, Draco, Engelhardt, Paul Hartmann, KCI, Lohmann&Rauscher, Mölnlycke, SastoMed and Urgo. RL has received research support, lecture fees and travel-cost reimbursements from Mölnlycke and Urgo. AK has received research support, lecture fees and travel-cost reimbursements from 3M, B. Braun Melsungen, Bode/Paul Hartmann, Ethicon, Lohmann&Rauscher, Mundipharma, Oculus, SastoMed Schülke&Mayr, SERAG-WIESSNER and Urgo. JVS has received research support, lecture fees and travel-cost reimbursements from Mundipharma, Histocell, Quesper and Urgo. This work was supported by an unlimited grant from Urgo Medical. The views expressed are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect those of Urgo Medical. The company had no direct influence on the content of this paper. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study unit Spirituality for Health Carers was part of the BSc(Hons) nursing/midwifery programme which aimed at providing an innovative clinical placement for students. This placement promoted the delivery of spiritual care to clients in Lourdes. This paper discusses the experiential learning of students based on Gibbs (1988) Framework of Reflection. The scarce research demonstrates that caring for clients in Lourdes enabled students to develop meaningful relationships due to increased carer to clients' ratio, more time available and the presence of role models who were dedicated and compassionate with clients. Qualitative data were collected by a reflective diary, a written reflective assignment and a focus group discussion. The four themes which emerged from the data are team building, holistic care, trustful nurse-client relationship and strengthening personal spirituality. Recommendations were proposed to enhance the delivery of spiritual care and holistic care by further exposure of students to care for the pilgrims in Lourdes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Kvaerner Power has been awarded €60 million in contracts for power boilers for UPM''s paper mills in the UK and France. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Valmet will supply a new screening and brown stock washing plant for kraft liner pulp production to Smurfit Kappa Cellulose Du Pin Biganos pulp and paper mill in France. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite dramatic scenes of flooding in France's capital city, thousands of delegates made their way to IMCAS 2018 at Palais des Congrès de Paris to learn about the latest treatments and techniques from a vast array of experts. Following her time at this congress, Cheryl Barton put pen to paper to share both the highlights from the event and some top tips for those who will be attending in 2019 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An interview with Lorna Bowes, director at Aesthetic Source and consultant editor at the "Journal of Aesthetic Nursing" is presented. Bowes describes the lessons learned from the International Master Course on Aging (IMCAS) Paris 2013. Her reasons for going to the IMCAS conference are highlighted. She describes the highlight of the 2013 conference. Bowes also lists the conferences she will attend in 2013.

Background: The families of people with late-stage dementia need to be informed about the course of the dementia and the comfort/palliative care option. A booklet was written for that purpose and can be provided to family members by physicians and nurses. Methods: The acceptability of the booklet for nurses was tested in Canada (French and English version), France (French Canadian version) and Japan (translated and adapted version). Results: Overall, 188 nurses completed a survey questionnaire. The booklet was accepted best in Canada and less so in France and Japan. Despite regional variation, the majority of the nurses perceived the booklet as useful for families. The French and Japanese nurses also reported a greater need for palliative care education in advanced dementia. Conclusion: The booklet may help nurses educate families about end-of-life issues in dementia palliative care, but local adaptation of the booklet content and physician engagement are necessary. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article reports a study which investigated the efficacy and safety of hyaluronic acid (HA)-impregnated gauze pad compared with a hydrocolloid (HC) dressing in patients with venous leg ulcer (VLUs) or other ulcers. The results supported the non-inferiority of the HA gauze pad compared with HC for the primary endpoint. It is concluded that the study supports non-inferiority of the HA gauze pad as compared with HC for the primary endpoint.

Oral care for patients receiving non-specialist palliative care has been reported to be lacking in several respects.The present study explored the oral care social representation of nurses and health-care assistants providing non-specialist palliative care. A mixed methodology utilising a questionnaire and focus groups was adopted. The research identified difficulties in providing oral care in this setting. The participants reported managing their emotions around carrying out oral care.They had resources available and were convinced of the positive effects. However, their personal efficacy needed to be reinforced and they needed to receive positive feedback. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To investigate the efficacy and safety of hyaluronic acid in the local treatment of leg ulcers of venous or mixed aetiology, compared with a neutral vehicle. Method: A 60-day double-blind, randomised, multicentre, controlled superiority trial. The primary endpoint was the percentage wound size reduction after 45 days of treatment. Secondary endpoints included pain intensity, rate of complete ulcer healing, and aspect of the wound (percentage of necrotic, fibrinous or granulation tissue) and of the peri-ulcer skin. Results: A total of 101 patients were randomised and analysed in the intention-to-treat (ITT) population (50 in the hyaluronic acid; 51 in the control group). Seventy-five patients were considered in the per protocol (PP) population (38 vs 37, respectively). At day 45, the percentage of ulcer surface reduction was significantly greater in the hyaluronic acid treatment group (39 ± 6%) compared with the neutral vehicle (control) group (5 ± 9%) (p=0.002). A similar result was obtained at day 15, day 30 and day 60. From day 0 to day 45, pain intensity (VA S) decreased by mean 9.8 ± 3.5mm in the hyaluronic acid group, but slightly increased by 0.8 ± 3.2mm in the control group (p=0.029). Burden of pain, as estimated by the area under the curve of daily pain (from day 0 to day 60), was significantly lower in the hyaluronic acid group (121.9 ± 20.7mm2) than in the control group (207.4 ± 32.9mm2; p=0.028). Other secondary endpoints (rate of complete healing, characteristics of the wound and peri-ulcer skin) were not significantly different between the two groups. Treatments were well tolerated and adverse events were comparable between the two groups in terms of their frequency, relationship to treatment and severity. Conclusion: Hyaluronic acid cream was significantly more effective than the neutral vehicle in the local treatment of leg ulcers of venous or mixed aetiology, in terms of wound size reduction and reducing the burden of pain, with a good safety profile. Declaration of interest: This study was sponsored by Laboratoires Genévrier. The authors received honoraria for their contributions to the study, but have no other conflicts of interests to declare. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To determine the effectiveness of Flammacérium, a topical treatment used in the treatment of burns, in the stabilisation of necrosis in non-healing wounds. The therapy is designed to prevent the risk of infection, stop necrosis from spreading and improve the patient's quality of life. Method: This retrospective survey involved patients with necrotic, non-healing wounds who had been treated with Flammacérium. In all cases, debridement was contraindicated. Available data on wound evolution were collected. Results: Ninety-nine patient files were analysed and the wound aetiologies included in the survey were classified as arterial (n=42), malignant (n=5), pressure ulcers (n=30), traumatic wounds (n=10) and other wounds (n=12). The formation of a leather-like eschar induced by topical use of Flammacérium improved pain management, decreased exudate levels and malodour, and had a positive effect on quality of life, increasing patient comfort, participation in social activity and psychological wellbeing. Following application of the cream, an eschar develops that strongly adheres to wound edges. By preventing the necrosis from spreading, this gave the practitioners more time to prepare for subsequent treatment, including skin grafting. Conclusion: Flammacérium seems to be effective in the stabilisation of necrosis in non-healing wounds in which debridement is contraindicated. However, this study is limited by its retrospective nature. A prospective study will hopefully confirm and strengthen these results. Conflict of interest: None [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

UPM will build a power plant at its Chapelle Darblay mill in France, to annually combust 160 000 tonnes of energy wood available in the region and all the sludge produced in its recovered paper recycling process. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

· Objective: To ascertain pressure ulcer prevalence rate in French hospitals. · Method: In 2004, a cross-sectional study was conducted in all French hospitals, except university hospitals. The National Pressure Ulcer Advisory Panel (NPUAP) staging was used. Data were collected using two self-administered questionnaires. · Results: A total of 37,307 inpatients in 1170 wards in 1149 hospitals were assessed, representing a response rate of 93.5%. Their mean age was 72.3 years and 62% were females. In all, 3314 patients had at least one pressure ulcer, giving a prevalence rate of 8.9%. A total of 4991 pressure ulcers were recorded; 64% of the patients had only one pressure ulcer. Fifty-fi ve per cent of the patients had at least two concomitant diseases. When patients with only one ulcer were assessed, the most common locations were the heels (53%) and sacrum (29%). Heel pressure ulcers were more common in patients with obliterative arterial disease, and sacral pressure ulcers were more frequent in incontinent (urine, faecal and double incontinence) patients. Patients with multiple pressure ulcers had more severe lesions. · Conclusion: These results indicate that the prevalence of pressure ulcers in French hospital inpatients has remained stable since the last prevalence study undertaken 10 years before, when the rate was 8.9%. Such studies should be encouraged in all health-care settings as a means of improving the care provided. · Declaration of interest: None. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents information on Wound Healing Society in Great Britain. The organization has rendered a major component of the scientific content during their joint annual meeting with Symposium of Advanced Wound Care (SAWC) in April 2008. It mentions that their next annual joint meeting will be held on April 26-29, 2009 in Dallas, Texas. It also features the organization's triennial joint meeting with ETRS on August 25-29, 2009 in Limoges, France.