communitypost.docx
The site I have chosen for my reflection is the public health department. I will be describing the services provided, the population served, common disease processes, medication administration guidelines, funding, and ethical dilemmas faced. Prior to my visit to the health department, I believed that it only served as a place for immunizations or a place for those without insurance or minimal insurance to get healthcare. These are some of the services provided however, there are many more. They do not strictly serve one specific population. The health department is for the general population in the area. Anyone of any age from newborn to elderly can come and get care. Unlike my previous thoughts, they also do not strictly provide immunizations. Along with immunizations, they offer programs such as a TB program, refugee program, perinatal care and dental. Within the TB program, people can be screened and treated for TB. The refugee program allows refugees to get access to health care that they may not have had otherwise. They offer immunizations to the refugees, perinatal care, and much more to ensure they have a smoother transition into their new life. Perinatal care is handled by a separate clinic but it is specific to women’s health. It provides care for a low cost to all women. The dental program is new; however, to me, it seems like a very good, useful program because dental health is of prime importance. Bad dental hygiene can lead to many systemic infections so attacking it head on for the whole population is a very good thing. People at the health department also audit charts of daycares and schools to ensure all children are up to date on their immunizations. If the children are not immunized, the nurse contacts people to ensure children meet the school’s immunization requirements. There are not specific diseases processes seen in the heart department as they treat a wide range of clients with many different diseases. Following what I previously stated the nurse working stated that they often see tuberculosis. They also see some cases of the flu during flu season. Medication administration follows specific guidelines. The orders come from one primary doctor who writes standing orders such as the ones for immunizations. The pediatric population has a certain dose ordered for the flu vaccine that differs from the adult dose. The older adult dose is also stronger compared to a basic flu vaccine. Nurses administer the vaccines. In addition to the doctor giving standing orders, there is also a pharmacist can answer any of the nurse’s questions and review the standing orders. The federal government and the state fund the public health department. They also get some grants from organizations such as the United Way. An ethical dilemma faced during my time at the public health department was the parents who did not want to vaccinate their kids. Many of the parents who did not vaccinate their children were having trouble with the school system saying they were going to unenroll their children by the end of the day if they were not vaccinated. This is an ethical dilemma for nurses because they know that vaccines are only there to help the children. Anywhere you looked at the public health department; there were signs to promote vaccinating everyone in the family. As nurses, we want to promote this but also want to respect the parent's autonomy. I think this is a common problem that many nurses in any community setting face. In conclusion, my time in the public health department was very interesting. My eyes were opened to a wide range of services available to the public. I believe this will be useful information for me in the future as a healthcare professional.
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