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Adopt and present a resolution recognizing May 6-12, 2019 as National Nurses Week in Solano County (Supervisor Vasquez)
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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, 2019 as National Nurses Week in Solano County.
SUMMARY/DISCUSSION:
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 a community.
The profession of nursing focuses on care for individuals, families, communities and populations in an effort to improve, maintain or attain optimal health and quality of life. Currently, there are 3.9 million nurses in the United States, which comprises the largest group of health care professionals. Solano County employs 60 of these professionals as nurses in Behavioral Health, Public Health, Child Welfare Services, Family Health Services, and Older & Disabled Adult Services.
Public Health’s Nurse-Family Partnership (NFP) is an evidence-based program serving low-income, first time mothers by providing intensive home visiting services with the goal of improving pregnancy outcomes by encouraging preventive health practices, obtaining and maintaining prenatal care, and reducing substance usage. Nurses in this program help parents to provide responsible, competent care for their child, become economically self-sufficient, inspire the future, plan future pregnancies, continue their education and find jobs. In 2018, NFP nurses provided 661 home visits, served 85 clients and graduated 33 from the program.
Nurses in Older & Disabled Adult Services provide medical evaluations and client education related to chronic disease. Other services these nurses provide are based on community referrals to keep the elderly safe and ensure they are being treated fairly and are safe in their living environments.
District nurses in Public Health offer home visiting and case management services to families with prenatal, postpartum, newborn and child health issues. In fiscal year 2017/2018, 1,169 referrals were processed with 1008 face-to-face client encounters. These face-to-face encounters included comprehensive assessments, developing client-centered care plans, linking clients to community resources, and providing education on topics such as breastfeeding, mother/baby bonding, child growth and development, lead poisoning prevention, Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) prevention and bereavement support.
At Solano Community College, Public Health nurses run the Student Health Center, providing limited direct services, health education and pregnancy testing, as well as providing preventive health services such as flu vaccinations and Tuberculosis testing for both students and faculty. Last year, the number of students and faculty who received services at the Student Health Center was 2,206.
California Children’s Services (CCS) helps children through age 21 years with certain diseases, physical limitations or chronic health problems get healthcare and services they need. Nurses in this program conduct administrative review of referrals and medical records to determine eligibility and authorize payment for service requests, hospitalizations, and vendor authorizations according to programmatic criteria. In 2018, CCS nurses authorized 3,852 service authorization requests.
Nurses in Family Health Services provide direct patient care, occupational health and immunizations in primary care clinics and linkages to other services, including mental health and substance use.
Nurses also work in the adult mental health clinics as part of a multidisciplinary service team. They assist clients with questions regarding their medications and manage the long-term injectable medications that provide stable symptom management for many adults with severe mental illness.
Nurses in Child Welfare Services work in collaboration with a child’s social worker facilitating the delivery of appropriate health related services to meet the health needs of the child at various critical periods. Additionally, nurses assigned to Child Welfare Services assist with data gathering, training, developing resources, and recommending policy to address identified needs of the system in the delivery of health related services.
These programs are just some of the many programs that employ the skillful work of a nurse in Solano County and demonstrate the impact nurses have in the local community.
In honor of Nurses Week 2019, Bay Area Nursing Directors (BAND) will host a forum on May 9th in Alameda County that will be open to all public health nurses in the region to discuss how to best articulate the role and value of public health nurses in the community. Additionally, the Department of Health and Social Services will recognize nurses employed by Solano County at a luncheon during Nurses Week providing opportunity for networking and inspirational activities.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
The costs associated with preparing this agenda item are included in the Department’s FY2018/19 Adopted Budget. The costs associated with preparation and purchase of the resolution materials are included in the Board’s FY2018/19 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