Nursing Service Statement

Nursing Pattern of Care

Introduction:

Mental Health Nursing is a specialised field of Nursing which focuses on meeting the mental health needs of the consumer, in partnership with family, significant others and the community in any setting. It is a specialised interpersonal process embodying a concept of caring, which is designed to be therapeutic by;

  • Supporting consumers to optimise their health status within the reality of their life situation.
  • Encouraging consumers to take an active role in decisions about their health care.
  • Involving family/significant others and communities in the care and support of consumers.

Registered mental health nurses recognise the need for flexibility, adaptability, responsiveness and sensitivity as they continually shape their practice to the dynamically changing needs of the consumer, family, significant others and the community1.

Duty of Care:

All Nursing staff employed by the Rural and Remote Mental Health Service will be aware of their duty of care to patients and will ensure their safety at all times.

Nursing Assessment:

All patients admitted to the Rural and Remote Mental Health Service will receive a thorough Mental Health Nursing Assessment within 1 hour of arrival onto the Ward. An appropriate Risk Assessment, Mini Mental and Physical Assessment will also be conducted if indicated.

Model of Care:

The Model of Care used in the Rural and Remote Mental Health In-patient Service is known as Comprehensive Care. This model asserts that the Registered Nurse allocated to provide care to a group of patients ensures that;

  • all nursing care is delivered according to the Nursing Care Plan,
  • Nursing Care Plans are updated as required by the allocated nurse,
  • all prescribed medication is administered as prescribed,
  • all nursing care is documented appropriately.

Legislation Affecting Nursing Practice:

All of the Nursing staff employed by the Rural and Remote Mental Health Service are aware of and are responsible to ensure that they comply with all legislation that may have an impact on nursing practice, including obligations under the various Legislative Acts.

Clinical Standards:

All of the Nursing staff employed by the Rural and Remote Mental Health Service are aware of the ANZCMHN Standards of Practice1, and the ANCI National Competencies for the Registered Nurse2, and are responsible to ensure that their practice meets or exceeds these standards and competencies.

Code of Conduct and Ethics:

All of the Nursing staff employed by the Rural and Remote Mental Health Service are aware of the ANCI Code of Conduct3 and the ANCI Code of Ethics4 and are responsible to ensure that they conduct themselves according to these codes.

References:

1. Australian and New Zealand College of Mental Health Nurses "Standards of
Practice for Mental Health Nursing in Australia" 1995

2. ANCI National Competencies for the Registered and Enrolled Nurse 1994

3. ANCI Code of Professional Conduct for Nurses in Australia 1995

4. ANCI Codes of Ethics for Nurses in Australia 1993

 


images/homesmoke.gif (10307 bytes)

Disclaimer | Copyright Government of South Australia 1998.
URL for this page is : http://www.adelaide.net.au/~telemed