title: The link nurse system in relation to the specialty of tissue viability.
abstract: This article discusses the advantages and disadvantages, for both clients and healthcare professionals, of the link nurse system as used in conjunction with tissue viability. The advantages of such a system of care, i.e. what it actually provides in the way of evidence-based practice and its cost-effectiveness, will be analysed. The article also addresses the disadvantages of the link nurse systems, primarily by examining literature responding to negative attitudes shown by both hospital and ward managers. It will also question why the link nurse system is considered by some critics as one that may, in fact, deskill ward nurses rather than enhance their practice. Finally, this article will make suggestions as to how these disadvantages can be addressed.
authors.affiliation: Glenfield Hospital, Leicester, UK.
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Tinley
mesh_terms: D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D004059:Diffusion of Innovation; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine / Q000458:organization & administration*; D017721:Hospital Costs; D006801:Humans; D033181:Information Dissemination / Q000379:methods*; D007255:Information Services / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000600:supply & distribution; D009738:Nursing Service, Hospital / Q000458:organization & administration*; D017592:Skin Care / Q000451:nursing*; D006113:United Kingdom; D014945:Wound Healing