C

onsidering the myriad challenges facing long-term care staff on a daily basis, it is understandable for them to sometimes view residents as a collective group—at the expense of minding each person’s unique needs. This issue features 3 articles on that theme. The first, “Self-Administration of Medication for Residents with Vision Loss,” examines ways for caregivers to understand how different types of vision loss can affect residents and devise their care plans accordingly. Another article, “Nutritional Considerations for Spinal Cord Injury and Obesity,” reminds us of the effects of an injury or onset of obesity on a person’s protein and/or nutrient needs. The third, this month’s “Nutrition” column, discusses the measurement of a bariatric resident’s nutritional needs and compares the merits of several calculation methods to see which provides optimum care delivery. Linking these articles is the reminder to try to always view each person as an individual with unique needs and challenges. I’m sure we all agree the residents deserve nothing less.
       Among the other article topics included in this issue:
• The post-fall assessment (part 2)
• The therapy caps exception process
• The many hats worn by the Director of Nursing
• A continuing education article on preventing the spread of infection.

By Design

       On behalf of the ECPN team that made it possible, I am pleased to announce that the journal received a bronze award for “Best Publication Redesign” for 2006 from the American Society of Healthcare Publication Editors (ASHPE). The redesigned journal, which made its debut in January 2005, was the first step of a long-range effort to make ECPN more accessible and useful for you, the reader. The effort entailed steps to diversify article content and bring you the expertise of more writers across the continuum of care. As we continue through 2006 and beyond, please don’t hesitate to contact me to let us know how we are doing and/or present ideas on how we can better inform you. As always, thank you for reading.