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Adopt and present a resolution recognizing May 6-12, 2018 as National Nurses Week in Solano County (Supervisor Hannigan)
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Published Notice Required? Yes No X
Public Hearing Required? Yes No X
DEPARTMENTAL RECOMMENDATION:
The Department of Health and Social Services (H&SS) recommends the Board adopt and present a resolution recognizing May 6 -12, 2018 as National Nurses Week in Solano County.
SUMMARY/DISCUSSION:
Nursing is a profession within the health care sector focused on the care of individuals, families, communities, and populations directed toward attaining, maintaining, or recovering optimal health and quality of life. With more than three million nurses nationwide, and more than 330,000 employed in the State of California, nurses comprise the largest group among health care professions. Solano County currently employs 59 nurses in a variety of settings in Health & Social Services, including Behavioral Health, Child Welfare Services, Family Health Services, Older & Disabled Adult Services, and Public Health.
In 2017, nurses in Solano County’s Older & Disabled Adult Services received 684 requests (an average of 57 per month) from In Home Supportive Services (IHSS) social workers for assistance with paramedical services, durable medical equipment and medical evaluations. These nurses provided client education related to chronic disease, consultation to Adult Protective Services social workers on cases of medical neglect, and helped social workers understand functional limitations as they relate to disease in elderly clients.
Nurses in the evidence-based Nurse-Family Partnership (NFP) Program provided weekly face-to-face home visits to first-time mothers with the goal of improving pregnancy outcomes by helping them engage in preventive health practices, obtaining and maintaining prenatal care, improving diets, and reducing cigarette, alcohol and illegal substance use. The nurses helped parents learn how to provide responsible and competent care for their babies, helped them become economically self-sufficient, and inspired them to develop a vision for their own future, including future pregnancies and the continuation of their education and/or job searches.
District nurses in Public Health offered home-based case management services and assistance to high-risk families with prenatal, postpartum, newborn, and child health issues. During the past year the District nurses provided more than 1,300 face-to-face visits, conducting comprehensive assessments; developing client-centered care plans; linking clients to needed services; and providing information about breastfeeding, mother/baby bonding, newborn growth and development, lead poisoning prevention, SIDS prevention and bereavement support.
Solano County nurses also operated the Student Health Center at Solano Community College and served 2,200 students this year while California Children’s Services Program nurses served over 1,100 medically fragile children with special health care needs.
These are just a few examples of the many programs and valuable work of nurses employed by Solano County.
National Nurses Week begins each year on May 6th and ends on May 12th, which is Florence Nightingale’s birthday. National, State, and local nursing organizations support and encourage celebrations and recognition of the nursing profession, acknowledging that nurses continue to be a critical resource for protecting and promoting the health and well-being of our community. In Solano County, we will be recognizing National Nurses Week with postings on County and Public Health Facebook pages, as well as through a lunch celebration that will highlight the history of public health nursing in Solano County and allow nurses to share inspiring stories about their work in the nursing profession.
This year, the American Nurses Association adopted the theme, "Nurses Inspire, Innovate and Influence” for National Nurses Week. In the spirit of this year’s theme, we celebrate the amazing work of our Solano County nurses. Whether visiting the homes of our most vulnerable community members, providing service in our county health and mental health clinics, working to control communicable diseases, or at the forefront during natural disasters, such as the fires this past fall, our nurses continue to bring the highest quality of care to our community where it is most needed. They are, indeed, inspiring and innovative influencers who make a positive difference every day.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
The costs associated with preparing this agenda item are included in the H&SS FY2017/18 Adopted Budget.
ALTERNATIVES:
The Board may choose not to adopt and present the resolution. This is not recommended as it is an opportunity to recognize the dedication and commitment of Solano County Nurses.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
None.
CAO RECOMMENDATION
APPROVE DEPARTMENTAL RECOMMENDATION