RNs explore innovative approaches to health care delivery

On Nov. 21-22, 2000 registered nurses and health care professionals from across the province met in Calgary to share their findings from 27 studies at the Advancing Primary Health Care in Alberta conference. Registered nurses submitted an impressive eight of the 27 approved projects and many more RNs were key participants in these and some of the other 19 projects.

These projects were supported through the federal government's Health Transition Fund (HTF) to test and evaluate innovative approaches to health care delivery. The $150 million fund supported 141 across the country in the areas of home care, pharmacare/pharmaceutical isues, primary care/primary health care and integrated service delivery. Alberta Health and Wellness chose to spend its per capita allocation of approximately $11 million to primary health care initiatives. HTF funded an additional RN-led study in Alberta outside the scope of the Alberta Primary Health Care Project.

Registered nurse April von Platen led a project that evaluated the Neonatal Transitional Care Program in Calgary Regional Health Authority.

Regardless of scope or theme of their project, RNs shared the common goals of improved health care access, improved satisfaction and improved health status. Registered nurses are continuously expanding their role in health care delivery and testing new ways to adapt to the introduction of new technologies, changing populations, funding cutbacks or legislated reform.

Projects in Brief

Alberta RN has compiled a list of HTF projects submitted by registered nurses in Alberta and the contact person should other nurses wish to learn more.

Many more nurses were key participants in the other 19 projects and new programs are being developed all across the province that did not receive funding under HTE Alberta RV invites nurses to share their projects and findings in future issues of Alberta RIV.

Projects funded by the Health Transitions Fund either tested (demonstration projects) new projects or subjected existing projects to qualitative and quantitative evaluation (evaluation projects). Some projects focused on both aspects of demonstration and evaluation. Additional details on all Alberta Primary Health Care

Project are available on www.health.gov.ab.ca/key/phc/projects A listing of HTF projects across Canada are available at www.hcgc.ca/htf-fass/english,

Primary Health Evaluation Projects

Immunization Project

The project evaluated current procedures related to immunizations and Right to Refusal Strategy was introduced. The project identified the characteristics of the caregivers and the barriers to immunization they faced.

Project Contact:

Valerie Beynon

Keeweetinok Lakes Regional Health Authority

Phone (780) 523-6457

E-mail vbeynon@krha.ab.ca

Evaluation of the Healthy Okotoks Project

In 1996 Headwaters Regional Health Authority initiated the Healthy Communities Project and invited community members to actively participate in addressing local concerns. As a result, the Healthy Okotoks coalition formed with over 50 member partners representing multiple sectors, agencies and age groups. This project aimed to develop a set of outcomes and process measurement tools and use the tools to identify barriers to successful implementation and effectiveness.

Project Contact

Lori Anderson

Headwaters Health Authority

(403) 601-8339

Integrating the Services of the Nurse Practitioner in the Inner City

This research project evaluated the impact of introducing a nurse practitioner into a collaborative practice involving nurses, physicians and other health professionals working in an inner city community health centre serving primarily marginalized people struggling with poverty.

Project Contact:

Lorraine Melchior

Calgary Urban Project Society (CUPS):

(403) 221-8782 cups.medical@home.com

Evaluation of Usefulness of Telehealth in Providing Primary Health Services in Remote Communities

This project evaluated the effectiveness of telehealth to improve and expand the services available to three remote and isolated communities.

Project Contact:

Muriel Davidson

Keeweetinok Lakes Regional Health Authority

(780) 805-3534

mdavidson@klrha.ab.ca

Demonstration Projects

Primary Health Care Project for Elnora Area

In 1998 the Elnora Area Primary Health Care Project was established as part of a broader Healthy Communities Initiative. Located in the former Elnora Hospital, the Elnora Primary Health Care Project incorporated the role of a nurse practitioner in the creation of a rural health centre. The health centre was created as a model that combines primary health care and community development principles for use in small rural communities;

Project Contact:

Yvonne Hoppins

Elnora Community Health Centre

David Thompson Health Region

(403) 773-3636

Health for All - Metis Settlement Project

A team, comprised of a settlement nurse as the primary health care coordinator and a community health representative facilitated the coordination and delivery of non-emergent health services on the Metis settlements.