Community Assessment

Cassandra Schmidt

 NW9- Orthopedic unit at Erlanger Medical Center in Chattanooga, TN Adults of all ages, genders, races and ethnicities Admitted for elective orthopedic surgeries (i.e. total joint replacements) or orthopedic traumas (i.e. MVCs or falls) Varying degrees of health status and comorbidities

Population

 Promote effective communication through individualization Implement educational strategies such as the teach-back method to confirm understanding Encourage patient-nurse relations and develop positive rapport by providing a supportive environment Enable patients to make positive health decisions by utilizing empowering care

Objectives

 Physical injury/limitation Safe physical environment Provision of preventative services

Balanced nutritional intake Physical therapy/activity

Health Factors

 Limited access to care (due to patients from rural areas) Health illiteracy

Limited resources for temporarily disabled patients

Health Disparities

 Effective Communication
Important for all members of healthcare team Understandable by most of the intended audience; individualize Dont overwhelm; focus on important topics to remember Many forms: verbal, written, multimedia

Strategies

 Education
Connect with patient and answer all questions Include/involve both patient and family members Teach-back method to confirm education Refer to specific health classes that could benefit patient

Strategies

 Support/Rapport
Develops trusting relationship Enhances receptiveness to communication and education Feeling of priority

Strategies

 Patient Empowerment
Provided by support, education, communication Provides tools for making healthy choices

Strategies

 Through strategies of support, communication, education, and empowerment patients can become health literate and apply all that nurses have provided them into making positive healthcare decisions.

Conclusion

 DeWalt, D. A. (2007). Low health literacy: Epidemiology and Interventions. North Carolina Medical Journal, 68(5), 327-330. Nash, D., Reifsnyder, J., Fabius, R., & Pracilio, V. (2011). Population health: Creating a culture of wellness. Sudbury, MA: Jones & Bartlett Learning. National Prevention Council. (2011). National Prevention Strategy. Washington, DC: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of the Surgeon General. Volandes, A.E., & Paasche, M. K. (2007). Health literacy, health inequality and a just healthcare system. The American Journal of Bioethics, 7(11), 5-10. Warner, J. C. (2010). Behaviour change strategies for novice practice nurses. Primary Health Care, 20(9), 25-30. Wilson, F. L., Baker, L. M., Nordstrom, C. K., & Legwand, C. (2008). Using the teach-back and Orems self-care deficit nursing theory to increase childhood immunization communication among low-income mothers. Issues in Comprehensive Pediatric Nursing, 31(7), 7-22.

References