Nurses in card bid to spot meningitis signs

FRONTLINE nurses are being urged to carry a small laminated card in their uniform pocket to help them quickly recognise signs and symptoms of meningitis and septicaemia.

The aid, produced by the Meningitis Research Foundation, has been endorsed by the Irish Nurses Organisation which represents four out of five nurses working in the health service sector.

Meningitis Research Foundation’s chief executive, Denise Vaughan, said meningitis can kill within a six-hour period if appropriate treatment is not administered quickly.

Last year 12 people died from meningitis and septicaemia.

A total of 274 cases of meningitis and septicaemia were reported in 2002, compared with 396 in 2001, according to provisional figures issued by the National Disease Surveillance Centre.

Ms Vaughan pointed out that one in seven people who survive meningitis and septicaemia will suffer deafness, brain damage and amputations.

The vaccination for group C has resulted in a 90% reduction in incidence of the disease.

There were no group C deaths last year when 35 cases were reported to the NDSC, whereas there were 11 in 2000 and five in 1999.

Unfortunately, there is still no vaccination for group B, responsible for around 70% of meningococcal disease reported to the NDSC.

Ms Vaughan said a huge amount of money was being spent trying to find a vaccine for group B. None of the scientific research looked promising at the moment and she reckoned it would take up to 10 years before people could be immunised against the disease.

INO general secretary Liam Doran said early recognition of meningitis and septicaemia was vital in ensuring appropriate treatment in order to save lives.

The new resource (Vital signs for Frontline Nurses) is based on findings from a foundation-funded study of meningococcal disease in children.

Ms Vaughan said the foundation, that was 98% funded by voluntary contributions, also sought the views of parents whose children had died from meningitis and septicaemia.

“I personally found it distressing talking to the parents, but it must have been far worse for them because they had to relive the experience of losing their child. They wanted to help because they believe that the information will save lives,” she said.

Mr Doran said frontline nurses were working harder than ever before. If the card helped them detect even one case of meningitis or septicaemia out of a 100 then the effort that went into producing it would have been worth it.

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