Tim Collins

Safe sedation for all practitioners – a practical guide James Watts Safe sedation for all practitioners – a practical guide Radcliffe 198pp £21.95 978 1 84619 220 3 184619220X

The demand for sedation has increased significantly in recent years due to the rising number of procedures that can be performed without full anaesthesia. It is widely recognised that if sedation is to be used correctly and safely, healthcare staff need to understand its theoretical and practical application. James Watts provides a comprehensive overview of the science underlying sedation, as well as the standards for best practice.

Emergency Care – A Textbook for Paramedics : Second edition Ian Greaves Emergency Care – A Textbook for Paramedics : Second edition et al Elsevier 660pp £34.99 0 7020 2586 0 0702025860

The development and delivery of pre-hospital care has undergone significant change over the past few years and this revised edition reflects these changes in the light of current best practice and developing trends in emergency care. The book is primarily written for paramedics, but is an essential purchase for any practitioner involved in pre-hospital care.

Complications in the Intensive Care UnitComplications in the Intensive Care Unit Michael A Matthay David E Schwartz Arnold 343pp £69 0412 066718 0412066718

These books have been written for the entire multidisciplinary ICU team. Aimed at doctors who want to specialise in critical care, there is little discussion on actual nursing interventions, but they are still relevant to nurses.