Abstract

The elementary principles of home nursing care have been employed since the dawn of time. These principles have evolved into the present-day home care programs. Due to the increase of chronic disease, a longer life span, a rise in hospital costs, and the changes in medical care — new demands are being made in planning for nursing care in the home.

The problem of this study was to determine by patient evaluation which everyday living needs would be present upon discharge and if these needs could be met best by Public Health nursing. For the purpose of this study patient evaluation included: (1) chart review, (2) communication with nursing staff to determine the patient's self-care ability, and (3) patient and family member interviews.

The study was exploratory in nature. No standardized criteria was found for the evaluation and selection of medical patients for home care. Criteria for this study were developed from the review of literature, the established criteria utilized by nurses engaged in patient evaluation and selection for home care, and from personal knowledge. The criteria centered around the patient's needs of everyday living that were common to all. These included: (1) Overcoming obstacles to proper nutrition; (2) Physical needs; (3) Emotional needs; (4) Environmental needs; and (5) Therapeutic needs. This study included the involvement of the patient and family through the use of interview.

The findings of the study indicated that medical patients with chronic diseases, those patients who required longer periods of hospitalization, persons over the age of 65 years, and males had greater need for nursing care in the home after hospital discharge than did the remaining patient sample.

From the findings of this study, it was concluded that nursing judgment is a critical component in the assessment of the patient's everyday living needs. The patient and his family can be involved in home care planning by utilization of the interview and will utilize Public Health Nursing Service when aware of its benefits in meeting their health needs.

It is recommended that selected nursing personnel, preferably with a Public Health nursing background be responsible for the evaluation, selection, and referral of patients for nursing care in the home. Evaluation of all patients should include: (1) a complete chart review; (2) consultation with the attending physician; (3) conferences with nursing staff; (4) interview with the patient, and (5) a pre-discharge home visit. Post-discharge conferences are recommended to evaluate the progress of the referred patient, to make recommendations, and to plan for services so that continuity of nursing care can he achieved from the hospital and into the home.

LLU Discipline

Nursing

Department

Nursing

School

Graduate School

First Advisor

Ruth M. White

Second Advisor

Marilyn J. Christian

Third Advisor

Dorothy W. Weeks

Degree Name

Master of Science (MS)

Degree Level

M.S.

Year Degree Awarded

1968

Date (Title Page)

6-1968

Language

English

Library of Congress/MESH Subject Headings

Home Care Services; Public Health Nursing

Type

Thesis

Page Count

vii; 58

Digital Format

PDF

Digital Publisher

Loma Linda University Libraries

Usage Rights

This title appears here courtesy of the author, who has granted Loma Linda University a limited, non-exclusive right to make this publication available to the public. The author retains all other copyrights.

Collection

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Collection Website

http://scholarsrepository.llu.edu/etd/

Repository

Loma Linda University. Del E. Webb Memorial Library. University Archives

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