Modalities of Nursing Care

Modalities of Nursing Care - This refers to the manner in which nursing care is organized and provided. It depends on the philosophy of the organization, nurse staffing and client population.(http://nursingcrib.com/nursing-notes-reviewer/fundamentals-of-nursing/modalities-of-nursing-care/)

Functional Nursing

It is a system of care that concentrates on duties. It can be seen as an “assembly line” of care. The RN coordinates care for an entire unit or team. Other nurses are assigned to pass medications and perform treatments. Personnel with less training are assigned to provide more basic care such as bed bath and bed making. It began during the World War II when the demand for client care outstripped the supply of nurses. (Black and Hawks, 2008)

Primary Nursing

It is a model of care delivery that emerged during the 1980’s to meet the increasing complex needs of clients. The goal is for each client’s care to be comprehensive and coordinated, from the admission to discharge. Each client is assigned to a primary nurse, who is a RN, and that the nurse provides care for that client when he or she is working. Advantages are: the client has the same nurse, the client’s psychosocial needs can be met, communication with the physician has improved and the nurse feels autonomous. (Black and Hawks, 2008)

Team Nursing

In team nursing, the RN works with one or more health care personnel to provide care for four or more clients. Advantages are that an RN is usually head of the team and generally knows the clients. In addition, the team leader can provide guidance to new or inexperienced nurses and other staff. (Black and Hawks, 2008)

Case management

It is a care delivery model that incorporates concepts of continuity and efficiency in addressing both long and short-term physical needs, psychological and social needs of clients. The primary goals are promoting self-care, upgrading the quality of life and using resources efficiently. Case managers are nurses who coordinate care of a group of clients, monitor the implementation of interdisciplinary care plans, and maintain communication with third party payers and referral sources. The nurse follows the client through the entire stay in the health care system and back into the community. (Black and Hawks, 2008)

Case method

It is the oldest patient care delivery method. In this method one professional nurse assumes total responsibility of providing complete care for one or more patients (1-6) while she is on duty. This method is used frequently in intensive care units and in teaching nursing students. (http://faculty.ksu.edu.sa/Hanan_Alkorashy/Nursing%20management%20489NUR/10._Patient_Care_Delivery_System.pdf)

Total Patient care

Is the oldest of the care delivery system. One nurse is assigned to one client and provides all care. The one-to-one pattern is common in critical care, with student nurses, and with private duty nurses. The advantage is that the client needs to work with only one nurse and that one nurse can focus on meeting all the biopsychosocial1 needs of the client and the family. (Black and Hawks, 2001)