8.2 Primary Care vs Total Patient Care

Question 1

Primary Nursing

Answer 1

• A single nurse is the point of contact for a patient and the primary caregiver for the patient during their stay.
• Developed to place RN’s at bedside, improve accountability of nursing patient outcomes, and promote professional relationships among staff members.
• NO LONGER COMMON

Question 2

Total Patient Care

Answer 2

• A single RN is responsible for all aspects of care for one or more patients during a shift.

Question 3

Differences

Answer 3

Primary Nursing
- One to one relationship with patient OVER TIME
- RN will stay with patient for duration of patient’s stay
- RN provides MOST of the care
- RN maintains responsibility for patient care even outside of a work shift (similar to being on call)

Total Patient Care
- One to one relationship with patient DURING THE SHIFT
- Continuity of care only for the shift
- RN plans, organizes and preforms ALL care
- RN maintains responsibility for the patient care only during the shift

Question 4

Definitions

Answer 4

Functional Nursing
- Each licensed/unlicensed staff member preforms specific tasks for a large group of patients

Team Nursing
- RN is the leader who leads a team of other RNs, practical nurses, and assistive personnel who provide direct patient care

Primary Nursing
- Developed to place RNs at bedside and improve the accountability of nursing patient outcomes and the professional relationship among staff members

Total Patient Care
- A single RN is responsible for all aspects of care for one or more patients during their shift

Case Management
- Designed to coordinate and link healthcare services across all levels of care for patients and their families while streamlining costs and maintaining quality.

Patient Centered Care
- At the center of patient-centered care is the patient and family member as the source of control and full partner in providing care