Nurses are crucial for quality health care

Back in 1911, Nashville got its first public health nurse when the City Council was convinced to approve the expense of her salary because of the high infant death rate – 300 out of 1,000 babies born.

Some 90 years later, there are 1,200 public health nursing staff in Tennessee and the infant death rate has dropped to about nine out of 1,000.

Public health nurses remain a vital part of our health care system. And since Gov. Don Sundquist has proclaimed this week, April 1-7, as Public Health Week in Tennessee now is the time to recognize the contributions of nurses at the Warren County Health Department.

“The simple things in life are vital to a public health nurse,” said Gerane Todd of the Warren County Health Department. “Whether it’s the smile of an abused child or the relief seen on a client’s face who has received correct information.”

Public health nurses provide immunizations for children and adults, family planning services, child health exams, lead screenings, and diagnosis and treatment of tuberculosis and sexually transmitted diseases.

In many rural Tennessee counties, public health nurses are on the front line of providing essential health care services to patients who have no other resources. They help educate patients about personal behaviors that may result in disease or injury so they can live healthier lives. They often help to investigate outbreaks of communicable disease, ensure tuberculosis patients take their medications, and follow-up with patients to make sure they get the care they need.

“Public health nurses have a critical understanding of health issues within a community,” said Patsy McCall, Director of Public Health Nursing. “They have unique opportunities to impact the well-being of our citizens on a personal one-on-one basis. They teach people how to be healthier and to prevent disease.”

These days, doctors no longer make house calls but public health nurses still continue their tradition of home visits to high risk mothers-to-be and new babies, children with special health care needs, families dropped from welfare, and others. During the home visits, a family might receive information on child development, parenting techniques and health information. Developmental screenings are completed periodically on the children.

Home visitors ensure immunizations and well-child visits take place. The parents receive support on other issues in the home that affect the family such as housing, job search and day care location.