Nurses, Education, and Access to Care

Nursing students hear all of the time about the importance of patient education, simple interventions, and access to care.  The Parkland Memorial Hospital in Texas has released an amazing set of statistics based on their reduction in premature births over the last 20 years while the rest of the country’s rates continue to rise to alarming levels.

Read the article here.

Premature Births Decline

The released report shows premature birth rates of 10.9 percent in 1988.  In the most recent year on record, that rate has fallen to 4.9 percent (2006).  Even more amazing is the fact that this hospital’s patient population contains a high number of transients, non-english speaking persons, and minorities – all groups identified as being at high risk for pregnancy related complications.

RNs and student nurses should pay attention to this hospital’s amazing turn around despite a patient population that “experts” would say makes such a thing impossible.

Nurses and Nursing Care Counts

How did this Texas hospital system make this happen?

Improved and open access to care, pre-natal planning, and education are the key parts to Parkland’s success.  All of these program aspects are likely handled or administered by nurses in some capacity.  This is another example of simple interventions and patient education making a huge difference to the patients.

Better Health Thru Nurses

The lesson for you and all of the nursing world to take from this article is to look at what small improvements can be made to the systems in your facility.  Identify an at risk population of patients in your community and look at ways they are underserved by the medical establishment.  Now, ask yourself this question:

What simple, measureable health care intervention would have the greatest effect on that population’s overall present and future health?

Work with your staff and supervisors to implement a study that examines the effects of this intervention over time.  By contributing to the growing body of nursing research, you will show the widespread impact that qualified nursing care has on a community’s overall health.

Tell Us What You Think

Are you doing something like this already?  Let us know! Leave a comment using the link below or email us at Comments@NursingShow.com to share with the rest of the community here.