The non-medical aspects of patient care

Nurses General Nursing

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How would you term the non medical parts of patient care? I'm a pre-nursing student, and I'm working on a paper about technology like the Caring-bridge type websites, the "concierge" nursing concept, use of television, etc. It's really for an English class, but I want to make sure I'm using the correct terminology. Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated.

Also, if you have any other ideas of hot technology in this area, I would appreciate the suggestions.

NC

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You mean ancillary services?

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Thanks, I think that may be what I'm looking for. What types of services would you categorize under ancillary?

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Specializes in Emergency & Trauma/Adult ICU.

I've always understood ancillary services to mean radiology, PT & OT, dietary, etc.

It sounds to me like the OP is asking about "nursing care" outside of meds, treatments, etc. In that case, PATIENT EDUCATION is a biggie. Am I on the right track here?

I have not heard the term "concierge nursing" and I highly suspect the answer might raise my BP a few points, but I have to ask anyway ... what does this term mean to you?

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The concierge nursing is a concept I found in the Nursing News section. It's a new thing some hospitals are trying....basically they have really nice rooms (fine linens, gourmet cooking, etc) for the patients who pay the big bucks. Honestly I think it sounds like a bad idea.

This paper is just a small reasearch paper, so I'm just writing about some interesting services/concepts in the "non-medical" (still haven't figured out the right word...lol) areas of patient care. I'm sure a lot of people who aren't medical types aren't even aware that these services are available, so I thought it would be interesting as an informative paper.

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Ancillary services includes any non-nursing department, including non-pt care: pharmacy, RT, dietary, housekeeping....anything outside of admin.

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Specializes in ER.

I have no problems with a concierge, so long as it's not attached to the word nursing, or my job.

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Specializes in LTC, assisted living, med-surg, psych.
I have no problems with a concierge, so long as it's not attached to the word nursing, or my job.

:yeahthat:

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Yeah, that seems to be one of the biggest problems with it. I can see why nurses would be ticked about having to be a part of that program. I sure wouldn't want to be! There have been a couple of postings about this conceirge thing over in the news section and general nursing discussion. Here's one of the articles:

http://community.nursingspectrum.com/MagazineArticles/article.cfm?AID=22697

Let me tell you, there was some action on those threads! (Sorry if I offended anyone by attatching the term with nursing, that was not my intent at all. I think that's what they called it in the newspaper article)

Any other thoughts on what the term for these "extra" type services would be called?

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Specializes in FNP, Peds, Epilepsy, Mgt., Occ. Ed.

Are you talking about, say, giving a back rub rather than (or in addition to) a pain pill?

If so, to me it's still nursing care!

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My paper is going to highlight some of the "non-conventional" services that are becoming to be available for patients.

Currently, I am thinking of:

-The controversial concierge system

-Television and its use in pediatric and adult hospitals (some recent studies on this over on the news board)

-The availability of patient update sites like CaringBridge

Sorry if I wasn't clear in my earlier posts. I'm just two classes away from starting nursing school (March 2007), so I'm kinda new at this stuff. ;o)

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Specializes in IMC, ICU, Telemetry.

"adjuvent" maybe?

I think I see where your going with this - the perks a facility offers in addition to basic nursing/medical care. Jacuzi tubs in an LDR room, plasma tvs w/ premium cable channels, dvd player, internet svcs, on demand room service meals.

As a nurse, this stuff is a bit scary - overboard, unecessary. Next thing you know, the nurse isn't the caregiver, but the server. You may not want to make the environment too comfortable as they won't want to leave!

However, as a patient, these perks can be nice and make a difference in recovery - decrease stress of the hospital stay, decrease need for pain meds & entertaining lonely, bored sick people. When I was hospitalized, I loved the room service and ability to pick what I wanted and when I wanted it (I don't care for eggs anytime, but especially not at 0700!). I was fortunate that DH brought in some movies and the laptop to pass the time and offer a distraction (a week of bedrest is no fun!).

Pedi units offer video games & playrooms - why not some creature comforts for adult populations?

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