Cardiovascular guidelines.

The New Zealand Cardiovascular Guidelines Handbook has been updated and was sent to general practices to distribute to GPs and nurses earlier this month. The handbook was updated by a representative revision team, including diabetes clinical nurse specialist Lorna Bingham.

It provides clear guidance around who and when people need to have cardiovascular risk assessment and diabetes screening. It also provides new treatment targets and updated information on effective use of medication.

"It is up to nurses to look creatively at opportunities to put these guidelines in place, especially with high risk populations," said Bingham. "Then we need to be proactive with follow-up around optimal management, using the many tools and resources at our fingertips, like services to improve access, outreach nursing, Careplus, green prescriptions and school nursing."