- Nurse-managed health center
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A nurse-managed health center provides health care services in medically underserved rural and urban areas in the United States where there is limited access to health care.[1] Nurse-managed health centers provide health care to thousands of uninsured and underinsured people every year. Nurse-managed health centers are usually affiliated with nursing schools, universities, and/or independent non-profit organizations. Managed by advanced practice nurses, nurse-managed health centers provide health care to vulnerable communities using a nursing model.
Contents
Overview
The first nurse-managed health centers was created at Arizona State University over 25 years ago, and it is still in existence today.[2] Now, there are approximately 250 Nurse-Managed Health Centers in the United States, located in 39 states and the District of Columbia.[3][4] Currently, Philadelphia has more Nurse-Managed Health Centers than any other city in the United States.[5]
Nurse-managed health centers serve populations that are demographically similar to those served by Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs). In some cases, Nurse-Managed Health Centers are FQHCs.[6] Nurse-Managed Health Centers tend to be located in or near low-income communities.[7] Over half of the patients seen at Nurse-Managed Health Centers are females who come from racial/ethnic minority populations and are likely to have experienced health disparities.[8]
Nurse-Managed Health Centers are managed and staffed by advanced practice nurses, including nurse practitioners.[9] In some Nurse-Managed Health Centers, nurses collaborate with physicians to provide care. In other Nurse-Managed Health Centers, nurses work independently.
Services Provided
Many Nurse-Managed Health Centers provide a full range of primary care services, comparable to services provided by primary care physicians. Some Nurse-Managed Health Centers also provide behavioral health services, including family and couples therapy.[10] In addition, all Nurse-Managed Health Centers provide health promotion, wellness, and disease management services.[11]
Nurse-Managed Health Centers also focus on preventive health care, especially regarding certain chronic conditions like asthma, hypertension, diabetes, and obesity. This focus on preventative, holistic health care has been shown to reduce emergency room usage and decrease the length of hospital stays among Nurse-Managed Health Center patients.[12]
External links
Notes
- ^ S. Coleman and T. Hansen-Turton, 2003, "Going National," Advance for Nurses 5(11), 15-18.
- ^ Arizona State University School of Nursing, Community Health Services Clinic. [1]
- ^ Joann Loviglio, "Nurse Practitioners Filling a Care Void", Associated Press, June 26, 2006 [2]
- ^ National Nursing Centers Consortium, "Membership Centers"
- ^ Brian O’Connell, “Nurse-managed health centers come to the rescue", Phila. Business Journal, 11/8/02. [3]
- ^ National Nursing Centers Consortium, "Membership Profiles: The Family Practice and Counseling Network". [4]
- ^ Brian O'Connell, “Nurse-managed health centers come to the rescue", Phila. Business Journal, 11/8/02.[5]
- ^ National Nursing Centers Consortium, Legislative Day Fact Sheet
- ^ T. Hansen-Turton and A. Ritter, et al., 2006, “Continuing Education Series: Insurer Policies Create Barriers to Health Care Access and Consumer Choice", Nursing Economics, July/August 2006, 24(4), 204-211. [6]
- ^ The Family Practice and Counseling Network, “Services and Locations”
- ^ T. Hansen-Turton and A. Ritter, et al., 2006, “Insurers’ Contracting Policies on Nurse Practitioners as Primary Care Providers: The Current Landscape and What Needs to Change,” Policy, Politics, & Nursing Practice, 7(3), 1-11.
- ^ Health Resources and Services Administration, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Speech given by Dr. Elizabeth Ryan, HRSA Administrator, 11/8/2002. [7]
See also
Categories:- Types of healthcare facilities
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