NR 442 Case Study 04-Community Assessment Part 1

Name

Chamberlain University

NR-442 Community Health Nursing

Prof. Name

Date

Case Study 04 – Community Assessment Part 1: Shoe Leather/Windshield Survey and Key Informant Interview

Case Study Synopsis

As a public health nurse, you are tasked with conducting a community assessment to contribute to a newly updated strategic plan aimed at preparing a nearby community for future growth and development. This assessment is an opportunity to identify the community’s strengths and weaknesses, as well as provide recommendations for improving the overall health and wellness of the population.

Concepts Covered

Health promotion
Health policy

Public Health Nursing Interventions Addressed

Disease and health event investigation
Consultation
Policy development and enforcement

Estimated Completion Time

Case study only: 2 hours
Plus review questions: + 30 minutes
Plus discussion questions: + 1 hour
Total: 3.5 hours

Case Study Objectives

Identify relevant and appropriate data and information sources for community assessment.
Gather demographic, geographic, governmental, health care, cultural, and socioeconomic data of the community.
Conduct a preliminary analysis of data from the windshield survey and community assessment to identify strengths and weaknesses.
Propose recommendations for a strategic plan based on community assessment findings.

Introduction

The city manager has requested a community assessment from you as part of a city council initiative to update their 6-year strategic plan. The goal is to prepare for the community’s future growth and development. This is an excellent opportunity to examine the strengths and weaknesses of the community while offering suggestions for improving the health and wellness of the population. You begin by conducting a preliminary search for information about the city.

Population:

Total population: 22,791
Female: 52.2%, Male: 47.8%
Under 18 years: 34.8%
19–64 years: 61.2%
Over 65 years: 4%
Ethnic composition: 56.8% Caucasian, 9% Black or African-American, 23.4% Hispanic or Latino, 10.8% Other

Location:

Livability score: 86
Low crime rate
Low cost of living
Temperate weather with warm summers and mild winters
Local amenities available

NR 442 Case Study 04-Community Assessment Part 1

Primary Industries:

Manufacturing: Computer technology, hardware, and software
Non-manufacturing: Public education, government, health care, farming/ranching

Economic Information:

Per capita income: $73,977
Persons below poverty level: 7.4%
Unemployment rate: 3.4%
Home ownership rate: 65.1%

Educational System:

One public high school with two public middle schools and six elementary schools
One Higher Education Center offering workforce readiness programs
Five private universities and two public universities

Recreation:

High School football
Hunting, fishing, hiking, and biking
Two community parks with swimming pools
YMCA and various annual events (e.g., Crawfish Festival, Old Tyme Festival)

Health Care Facilities:

Head Start Program, Urgent Care Clinic, Pediatric Clinic, Primary Care Clinic
Rehabilitation and Skilled Nursing, Fire Department/EMS, Alzheimer’s/Respite Day Care Center

Air Quality: 70 (National Air Toxic Assessment)
Water Quality: 79 (Water Shed Quality)

Transportation:

Railroad terminal, taxi service, bus service

Media:

One storefront radio station, weekly newspaper, public library

NR 442 Case Study 04-Community Assessment Part 1

Scenario and Community Assessment

Windshield Survey

The windshield survey begins by observing the outskirts of the community, taking note of agricultural land, the flat terrain, the river, and the climate. Observations include the presence of crop dusters, raising concerns about the impact of pesticides and herbicides on food and water supplies. This prompts further research into these environmental health risks. Key questions arise regarding the community’s race/ethnicity, housing conditions, homelessness, littering, availability of parks, and presence of a railroad track.

Key Informant Interviews

You conduct interviews with local health care providers, public officials, and community members to better understand the health concerns of vulnerable populations. One key informant is the school nurse, who shares that the community struggles with high rates of cancer (particularly breast cancer), farm-related accidents, and obesity. These issues warrant further investigation to assess their causes, including environmental factors.

Further interviews with the school nurse reveal insights into the social determinants affecting student health. Reviewing the Culture of Health website together, you identify prevalent community factors such as air quality, access to health services, and individual behaviors, which contribute to health disparities in the area.

Emergency Health Care Access

During a conversation with the school nurse, a student is brought in following a football injury. The school nurse notes that a nearby railroad track blocks EMS access, which could delay emergency care, especially in time-sensitive situations. This issue becomes a priority for further policy development.

Data Collection and Health Trends

After evaluating various health trends and risk factors, the public health nurse identifies the need to prioritize several community problems. The primary concern is the accessibility of emergency services, with the railroad tracks creating a barrier to timely care. Recommendations are made to address this, including policy interventions aimed at improving emergency response times and potentially building another health care facility on the other side of the tracks.

Public Health Nursing Interventions

Public health nurses play a crucial role in the community assessment by collecting data, identifying health risks, and offering solutions to improve community health. This includes collaborating with local stakeholders to develop policies that address health concerns, such as farm-related accidents, cancer prevention, and obesity. Interventions focus on health promotion, disease prevention, and the strengthening of health systems.

Conclusion

As the community assessment concludes, data has been gathered, and interviews with stakeholders have provided valuable insights. The next steps involve analyzing the data and prioritizing community health needs. Through the assessment process, you have identified potential health risks, environmental concerns, and barriers to healthcare access that require intervention and policy development to improve the community’s overall well-being.