What is community nursing care
fgarati
May 3, 2023
Community nursing services play a vital role in delivering essential healthcare services to you and your family members within the community. These services are crucial as they enable you and your loved ones to receive healthcare services within your homes while surrounded by your loved ones. In this article, we delve deeper into the various services provided by community nursing in Australia and the NDIS and highlight the importance of community nursing in delivering healthcare services.
Table of contents: What is community nursing care
Assessments
Assessments are an important aspect of community nursing. These include health assessments, wound assessments, continence assessments and risk assessments. These assessments enable community nurses to develop an individualised care plan that caters to your specific needs.
The comprehensive health assessment aims to assess your overall health status and identify any potential risk factors. A wound assessment is done if you have an injury that requires attention, while a continence assessment identifies any urinary or faecal incontinence issues. Additionally, risk assessments help identify any safety risks that could harm your health.
Palliative Care
Palliative care is one of the essential services provided by community nurses in Australia. It is a specialized healthcare service that focuses on improving the quality of life of people like you with life-limiting illnesses. This care is designed to ensure that you can achieve the best possible care and comfort during your final days.
Community nurses play a vital role in providing palliative care to people like you. Their role is to provide emotional support, symptom management, and end-of-life care, including pain management. Their services ensure your comfort during your last days, enabling you to fulfill your wish to spend your remaining days within the comfort of your own home.
Wound Care
Wound care management is another significant service provided by community nurses in Australia. These nurses provide essential wound care management services to people like you with acute and chronic wounds. The services rendered include wound assessments, wound dressing, and educating you on wound prevention and management.
Wound care management is a specialized healthcare service that requires a high level of expertise. Community nurses are trained to offer wound care management services to ensure that you receive quality care, which facilitates your full recovery.
Chronic Disease Management
People like you living with chronic diseases require ongoing care and support. Chronic disease management is one of the core services provided by community nurses in Australia. These nurses offer you ongoing care, support, and education to manage and control your chronic diseases effectively.
Community nurses work with you to develop self-management strategies that help you understand your disease and its management. These strategies lead to improved health outcomes and fewer hospitalizations.
Medication Management
Medication management is another essential service provided by community nurses in Australia. These nurses provide medication management support to you by administering medications, managing medication schedules, and educating you on medication use and potential side effects.
The role of medication management in your care is crucial. You require properly managed medications to facilitate your healing process and manage other health conditions. Community nurses ensure that you receive the correct medications at the right time, which prevents confusion and improves medication compliance.
Rehabilitation
Rehabilitation services are essential to you if you have experienced injuries, disabilities, or are recovering from surgery. Community nurses provide rehabilitation services that facilitate your recovery process and improve your overall health. These services include physiotherapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, and other rehabilitation methods that support your recovery.
Rehabilitation services are critical in helping you regain your mobility, strength and improve your quality of life. Community nurses play a crucial role in supporting you during the rehabilitation process, providing adequate care and support as you recover.
Community Nursing Services Under the NDIS
The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) provides funding for community nursing services for eligible participants. The NDIS is designed to support people like you with disabilities to access healthcare services, including community nursing services. Community nursing services under the NDIS include wound care management, medication management, rehabilitation, and daily living support.
Wound care management under the NDIS is available for eligible participants requiring ongoing wound care management. Medication management services are also available to assist eligible participants in managing their medications correctly.
Rehabilitation services under the NDIS are available to eligible participants. These services are designed to facilitate your recovery process, which improves your overall health and quality of life.
Importance of Community Nursing Services
Community nursing services are essential in delivering healthcare services to you and your family members within the community setting. These services provide you with access to quality healthcare services while in the comfort of your home. Community nursing services also play an essential role in reducing the burden on hospital emergency departments, which reduces healthcare costs.
Moreover, these services improve health outcomes, especially for you and your family members living with chronic diseases. The services provide ongoing care and support, leading to improved health outcomes and decreased hospitalisations.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: What services do community nurses provide? A: Community nurses provide a range of services including palliative care, wound care management, medication management, rehabilitation, and chronic disease management.
Q: Who is eligible to receive community nursing services? A: Community nursing services are available to individuals who require healthcare services within the community setting.
Q: How are community nursing services funded? A: Community nursing services in Australia are funded through a combination of public and private healthcare funding sources. The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) is also available to eligible participants.
Q: Why is community nursing important? A: Community nursing plays a crucial role in improving healthcare access, and health outcomes while reducing healthcare costs.
Q: How can I access community nursing services? A: You can access community nursing services by contacting your healthcare provider or local community nursing services provider.
Conclusion
Community nursing services are an essential aspect of healthcare delivery in Australia. These services provide you and your family members with access to quality healthcare within the community setting. The services provided include wound care management, medication management, rehabilitation, chronic disease management, and palliative care.
The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) also provides funding for community nursing services, ensuring that eligible participants receive healthcare services, including wound care management, medication management, and rehabilitation.
Community nursing services are vital in improving health outcomes, reducing healthcare costs, and providing you and your family members with access to quality healthcare services. Therefore, it’s necessary to continue to support community nursing services in Australia.
References
Australian College of Nursing. (2019). Community and Primary Health Care Nursing. https://www.acn.edu.au/nursing-resources/community-and-primary-health-care-nursing
Australian Primary Health Care Nurses Association (APNA). (n.d.). Community Health Nursing. Retrieved from https://www.apna.asn.au/profession/what-is-primary-health-care-nursing/community-health-nursing
Canberra Health Services. (n.d.). Community Care Nursing. Retrieved from https://www.canberrahealthservices.act.gov.au/services-and-clinics/services/community-care-nursing
Department of Veterans’ Affairs. (2021). Community nursing. Services and support for you at home. Retrieved from https://www.dva.gov.au/health-and-treatment/care-home-or-aged-care/services-support-you-home/community-nursing
Vital Home Health Services. (n.d.). What is community nursing? Retrieved from https://vitalhomehealth.com.au/what-is-community-nursing/
