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Nurses’ Perspectives on Smart Technologies
The article explores nurses’ perceptions of introducing innovations into hospital practice, using ‘smart mattresses’ as an example. Focus groups with 17 nurses revealed that such solutions can improve the quality of patient care and reduce the physical strain on staff, but also raise concerns due to limited understanding of their functioning and the risk of technical failures.
These innovations enhance patient safety and comfort and positively affect nurse well-being, yet their successful implementation relies on adapting to specific contexts, active involvement of practitioners in the development process, and prompt staff training.
International Consensus Guidance on Managing Dystonia
This guidance, created by experts in paediatric neurology and palliative care, focuses on managing dystonia in children with life-limiting conditions. Dystonia is one of the most challenging and exhausting symptoms in paediatric palliative practice.
Particular emphasis is placed on enhancing the quality of life of the child and family, as well as on the role of multidisciplinary teams in developing personalised care strategies. The guidance aims to serve as a foundation for improving clinical practice and encouraging further research in this field.
Palliative Care Pathways for ALS Patients
German researchers carried out a study on the care trajectories of patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Based on a retrospective, cross-sectional analysis of health insurance data from 2016–2019, they identified nine distinct patterns of palliative care provision.
Patients receiving home-based care were less frequently hospitalised and had access to support better aligned with their needs and preferences. The authors also emphasise the importance of a comprehensive approach to organising palliative care in ALS, which not only enhances patients’ quality of life but also facilitates more efficient use of healthcare resources.
Read: https://bmcpalliatcare.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12904-025-01843-x
Integration of Palliative Care Into Neurology
This paper explores the importance of integrating palliative care more closely into neurological practice. The authors highlight that patients with neuro-oncological and chronic progressive neurological conditions often do not receive adequate symptom management, family support, and care planning.
The article provides evidence supporting routine screening for patients’ palliative needs, which would help identify the need for specialised support promptly and prevent late referrals to palliative services. The key conclusion is that incorporating palliative care into neurology should become standard practice to improve patients’ quality of life throughout their illness.
Sensors for Fall and Pressure Ulcer Prevention
Researchers examined which sensor systems are most dependable for monitoring patients with limited mobility. Two approaches were compared: wearable devices (such as accelerometers that record movement) and contextual sensors embedded in the environment (cameras, radars).
The findings are especially significant for palliative care professionals working with immobilised patients: using reliable wearable devices can help reduce the risk of complications, ensure patient safety and comfort, and decrease the workload for healthcare staff while respecting the patient’s personal space.
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