Care Delivery Models - Answers Organize and deliver nursing care and focus on structure,
process, and outcomes.
Balance the needs of the patients with the competencies and availability of the nursing staff.
Provide for continuity of care across the continuum.
Total patient care - Answers •This is the oldest model of care delivery, also known as case
method.
•The responsibilities include complete nursing care of patient plus other duties, known as
holistic care.
•It is often used in settings such as critical care and hospice care, and sometimes in a hospital
setting.
•Communication is hierarchical, and the charge nurse is responsible for making assignments,
interfacing with physicians, and shift reports.
•Some variations are used today.
Functional nursing - Answers •This is implemented as a means to accomplish patient care with
the assistance of ancillary personnel.
•Staff work side by side and are assigned to complete specific tasks for a group of patients.
•This nursing is often used in long-term care and ambulatory care facilities.
•It is viewed as efficient and cost effective but can result in fragmented care.
, Communication is hierarchical, and the charge nurse is primarily responsible for assigning
shifts, supervising tasks, interfacing with physicians, and writing shift reports
Team nursing - Answers •Total care is delivered by licensed and unlicensed personnel under the
direction of a team leader.
•The team leader must
‒Assign duties to team members, based on licensure, education, ability, and competence
‒Supervise care provided and provide more complex care
‒Interface with physicians and provide shift reports to the oncoming team leader
•Communication can be hierarchical, and the charge nurse is responsible for related tasks
directly.
This model is still in use today on medical-surgical units.
Primary nursing - Answers •When the primary nurse is not available, an associate nurse cares
for the same group of patients following the plan of care developed by the primary nurse.
•Decision making occurs at the bedside with the patient and family.
•This model is often used in ambulatory care units and home health-care settings.
•Communication is lateral, with the primary nurse being responsible for direct care, interfacing
with physicians and other members of the health-care team, and providing shift reports.
Responsible for pt from admin to discharge, updates care plan, responsible 24/7
Nursing case management - Answers •Patient care organized according to major diagnostic-
related groups to achieve measurable quality outcomes while meeting predetermined time