Unit 1Introduction to Health Care

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Introduction to Health Care

As a member of the department, the nurse aide plays an important role in resident care.

The nurse aide spends more time in direct contact with the resident than any other member of the health care team.

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Introduction to Health Care(continued)

A knowledge of the role, function, legal limitations, expected qualities, personal habits and obligations is important to provide quality care. This unit also explores the types, purposes and organizational structure of health care facilities that employ nurse aides.

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1.0 Examine the role of the nurse aide.

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Role of the Nurse Aide

• Important in the care of people who are ill & unable to care for themselves

• Assistant to the licensed nurse

• Provide physical care and emotional support

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• Contribute to the resident’s comfort

• Make observations and report

• Directed and supervised by licensed nurses

Role of the Nurse Aide(continued)

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The Nurse Aide Works In A Variety Of Settings

• Hospitals• Long term care facilities• Rehabilitation centers• Clinics• Hospices• Psychiatric facilities• Home care

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1.2 Discuss the functions of the nurse aide in providing care to residents.

1.2.1 Identify 22 functions of the nurse aide.

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Functions of Nurse Aide

• Hygiene• Safety• Nutrition• Exercise• Elimination• Mobility

Help residents with personal needs:

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Functions of Nurse Aide(continued)

• Communication

• Socialization activities

• Comfort measures

• Restorative procedures

Help residents with personal needs (continued):

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Functions of Nurse Aide(continued)

Assist with resident care responsibilities:

• Collecting specimens

• Measuring and recording vital signs

• Transporting residents

• Environmental cleanliness

• Cleaning and care of equipment

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Functions of Nurse Aide(continued)

Assist with resident care responsibilities (continued):

• Standard precautions

• Fire drills and disaster drills

• Answering call signals

• Observation of resident response to care

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Functions of the Nurse Aide(continued)

Assist with resident care responsibilities (continued):

• Measuring and recording height/weight

• Intake and output

• Admission and discharge of residents

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1.3 List eight legal limitations for the nurse aide.

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Legal Limitations of Nurse Aide

• Nurse aides do not do sterile procedures.

• Nurse aides do not give information about the diagnosis or treatment plans to the resident or his/her family.

• Nurse aides do not give medications.• Nurse aides do not insert or remove

tubes from the resident’s body.

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Legal Limitations of Nurse Aide(continued)

• Nurse aides do not take oral or telephone orders from a physician

• Nurse aides do not diagnose or prescribe treatments or medications for residents.

• Nurse aides do not supervise the work of other nurse aides.

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Legal Limitations of Nurse Aide(continued)

• Nurse aides do not agree to do something beyond the nurse aide’s scope of practice.

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1.4 Describe the personal qualities and characteristics of the nurse aide.

1.4.1 Discuss the importance of punctuality and commitment on the job.

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Qualities and Characteristics of the Nurse Aide

• Cheerful

• Enthusiastic

• Responsible

• Considerate

• Courteous

• Cooperative

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Qualities and Characteristics of the Nurse Aide (continued)

• Dependable

• Empathetic

• Honest

• Patient

• Respectful

• Trustworthy

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Qualities and Characteristics of the Nurse Aide (continued)

• Willing to learn• Tactful• Competent• Committed to job• Punctual• Self-aware

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1.5 Suggest ways for the nurse aide to maintain acceptable personal hygiene and exhibit appropriate dress practices.

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Factors That Promote Good Health

• Rest and sleep

• Diet

• Exercise

• Good posture and body mechanics

• Eye examinations

• Dental care

• No use of drugs, alcohol or cigarettes

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Personal Hygiene Practices

• Taking a daily bath or shower• Using deodorants/antiperspirants• Brushing teeth and using

mouthwash• Keeping hair clean and neatly

styled• Cleaning and maintaining short,

smooth nails

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Personal Hygiene Practices(continued)

• Washing hands after using bathroom

• Wearing clean underwear, socks or stockings and uniform daily

• Do not use products having odors that might be offensive to residents

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Professional Dress Practices

• Uniform clean, pressed

• Shoes polished and comfortable

• Shoe laces clean

• Stockings without holes/runs

• Jewelry limited to watch and wedding ring

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Professional Dress Practices(continued)

• Name tag or photo ID tag worn

• Make-up worn in moderation

• Strong perfumes/aftershave lotions not used

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1.6 List obligations of the nurse aide as a member of the health care team.

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Guidelines For Working With Others

• Know the responsibilities, functions and role expectations listed in job description

• Display qualities and characteristics befitting a nurse aide

• Be prompt in reporting to work

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Guidelines For Working With Others(continued)

• Notify facility of absence ASAP

• Display good health and hygiene practices

• Follow facility dress code policy

• Practice ethical & legal actions

• Direct questions about things you don’t understand to supervisor

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Guidelines For Working With Others(continued)

• Follow instructions and directions of supervisor

• Display pride in appearance

• Promptly report unusual observations to the supervisor

• Make supervisor aware of family and resident complaints

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Guidelines For Working With Others(continued)

• Perform duties in spirit of cooperation• Do not waste supplies and equipment• Follow facility rules and regulations• Be accurate in measuring, recording

and reporting• Notify supervisor when leaving and

returning to unit

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• Assist other health care workers willingly

• Never use supplies or equipment belonging to the facility or resident

• Never discuss personal problems with the residents

Guidelines For Working With Others(continued)

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Resident Care Conferences

• Assist to develop/revise care plans

• Share care suggestions

• Report observations

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1.7 Explain the necessity for planning work assignments.

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Work Assignments

• Made by a licensed nurse• Based on needs of residents

and availability of staff• Allows staff to work as team• Includes being cooperative

and helping others when asked

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Work Assignments(continued)

• Includes never ignoring a resident that needs help, is uncomfortable or in danger

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Work Assignments(continued)

• Includes notifying the supervisor of unfinished assignments

• Includes answering call signals even though not assigned to the resident

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Considerations For Planning A Work Assignment

• Workload

• Resident condition

• Time

• Support services assigned

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1.7.1 Identify the need to establish priorities when providing resident care.

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Establishing Priorities for Care

• Activities of daily living–Meeting hygiene needs–Positioning and

providing for exercise–Maintaining proper

nutrition–Providing for elimination

of wastes

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Establishing Priorities for Care(continued)

• Examples of special procedures –Taking vital signs –Measuring urine

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Establishing Priorities for Care(continued)

• Support services

–Providing drinking water

–Delivering and picking up meal trays

–Providing clean linen and making beds

–Cleaning and caring for equipment

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Establishing Priorities for Care(continued)

• Documentation/reporting

–Presenting oral reports to supervisor

–Writing on record if directed to do so

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1.8 Differentiate among the various types of health care facilities and agencies.

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Long-term Care Facilities(Nursing Homes)

• Provide health care services to individuals unable to care for themselves:

–elderly persons

–disabled or handicapped persons

–people with chronic illness

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Long-term Care Facilities(Nursing Homes)

(continued)

• Services provided

–Medical

–Nursing

–Nutritional

–Recreational/religious

–Rehabilitative

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Long-term Care Facilities(Nursing Homes)

(continued)

• Types of care

–Home care

–Intermediate care

–Skilled care

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Hospitals

• Provide care for individuals of all ages with a broad range of health problems

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Hospitals(continued)

• Services varied and extensive

–Diagnostic

–Medical

–Surgical

–Emergency

• Types of care: acute, chronic and terminal care

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Home Care Agencies

• Provide care in the home for people needing health services, but not hospitalization

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Home Care Agencies(continued)

• Services provided include:– Nursing– Physical therapy– Occupational therapy– Speech therapy– Social services– Nutritional and food services– Respiratory therapy– Homemaker services

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1.9 Identify the organizational structure of health care facilities.

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Organizational Chart

• Displays chain of command

• Shows lines of authority• Identifies health care

worker’s position• Identifies immediate

supervisor

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Organizational Structure

–Responsible for provision of safe and adequate care at a reasonable cost

–Makes facility policies

–Delegates management to an administrator

• Governing body (Board of Directors)

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Organizational Structure(continued)

• Department heads

–Have specific areas of responsibilities

–Supervise department staff

• Finance

• Ancillary services

• Nursing

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Organizational Structure(continued)

• Medical Director

–Supervises medical staff activities

• Physicians

• Residents

• Interns

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Organizational Structure(continued)

• Director of Nursing and Assistant DoN

–Supervises nursing staff activities

–Responsible for safe nursing care

–Registered nurses

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Organizational Structure(continued)

• Nursing supervisor

–Assists director of nursing

–Licensed nurse

–Assigned areas of responsibility

–Assigned to specific shift

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Organizational Structure(continued)

• Charge Nurse –Has specific areas of

responsibility–Responsible for

resident care in specific area

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Organizational Structure(continued)

• Charge Nurse –Supervises staff in specific area

• Registered nurses (RNs)• Licensed practical nurses (LPNs)• Nurse aides (NAs)

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