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[Rethinking the visiting nurse system at a major regional hospital]
M Sueda1, H Kitamikado, S Sugihara
1Kimitsu Central Hospital.
Gan to Kagaku Ryoho. Cancer & Chemotherapy
|January 12, 2000
Summary
This study reviewed an 8-year home nursing system, identifying challenges in discharge planning, scheduling, and inter-agency cooperation. Improvements are needed to enhance patient care continuity and service utilization.
Area of Science:
- Healthcare Management
- Nursing Services
- Public Health
Context:
- A National Health Insurance System Hospital serving a region of 330,000 people.
- The hospital operates with 585 beds, managing 1,500 outpatients and 500 inpatients daily.
- A dedicated Visiting Nurse Center operates within a regional medical center.
Purpose:
- To review the effectiveness and identify areas for improvement in an 8-year-old visiting nurse system.
- To increase patient utilization of home nursing services.
- To ensure continuous, high-quality care for individual patients.
Summary:
- The review of the 1990-1997 home nursing system revealed significant challenges.
- Key issues include difficulties in discharge planning, insufficient patient instructions, complex visit scheduling, and inadequate inter-departmental and external agency cooperation.
- Equipment management and 24-hour support for terminal patients were also identified as areas needing enhancement.
Impact:
- Identified specific problems to guide future improvements in home nursing care delivery.
- Provides a basis for refining operational procedures to enhance patient care continuity.
- Aims to optimize resource allocation and collaboration for more effective visiting nurse services.