An Interprofessional Collaborative Practice in a Community Adult Day Healthcare Center

Monday, 30 October 2017

Laura Steadman, EdD
Adult/Acute Health, Chronic Care and Foundations, The University of Alabama At Birmingham, School of Nursing, Birmingham, AL, USA
Karen M. Coles, DNP
Family, Community and Health Systems, The University of Alabama At Birmingham, School of Nursing, Birmingham, AL, USA

This poster is highlighting the benefits of an Interprofessional collaborative faculty practice at a county operated Adult Day Health Care Center (ADHCC), established for Clients who are either mentally or physically challenged. All the clients who attend the ADHCC, are placed and followed by The Department of Human Resources (DHR). The goal of the poster is to demonstrate the benefits of the partnership between the ADHCC and Interprofessional Healthcare Providers in the delivery of healthcare and education to the Clients, including the learning opportunities for the Undergraduate and graduate nursing, dental and Optometry students, in this impoverished community setting.

Health Screenings are conducted weekly, so that all Clients are screened once a month, as required by the county. The Health Screenings are provided by nursing faculty, undergraduate and graduate nursing students for vital signs, weight, skin turgor, nutrition and mental status, and foot ailments. The students collaborate with Certified Wound Continence Nurse (WOCN) on the care of foot ailments. Screening results are documented in the Clients’ medical record. Yearly screenings are provided by Dental and Optometry Graduate students. Ongoing Health Education is provided to meet the needs of the clients.

The Nursing faculty partners with Sigma Theta Tau International (STTI), NU Chapter, to provide supplies for wound care, dental care, scales to monitor weight, and other supplies as needed. This partnership offers a number of Community health sponsored activities to Undergraduate and Graduate Nursing, Dental, Medical and Optometry Students in the community setting caring for a vulnerable population. We have been able to rotate nursing students through this community setting as a valuable clinical experience.

The benefits in the coordination of services for this Outreach Program, promote potential outcomes as demonstrated by an increase in optimal healthcare outcomes for the Clients, while enhancing the learning opportunities for the Undergraduate and Graduate Nursing, Dental, and Optometry Students.