References
Using the ability model to design and implement a patient care plan
Abstract
The introduction of models of nursing and holistic care concepts into the veterinary nursing literature is enabling veterinary nurses to develop their patient care skills and advance their professional role. In line with recently published literature, the primary author's experience of designing and implementing a nursing care plan for a hospitalised patient strengthened the bond between all those involved with the patient and provided an individually tailored plan of veterinary nursing care. The process did highlight some complications associated with nursing care plans, such as excessive documentation but it was found that overall, the introduction of a nursing care plan improved patient care and provided improved structure to the nursing process. It is suggested that the veterinary nursing team should collaborate to adapt the nursing care plan in order to improve its efficiency within the practice. By introducing further continued professional development on models of care, the veterinary profession can utilise the holistic benefits of care plans to enhance patient care and empower veterinary nurses in their day to day routine.
Evidence-based practice is a developing concept in veterinary nursing and is considered fundamental to improving veterinary nurses’ approach to patient care (Banks, 2010). Models of nursing and care planning has steadily filtered into veterinary nursing literature and a rising number of veterinary nurses are reflecting and evaluating their current practice and publishing their findings (Lock, 2011; Wager, 2011; Brown, 2012; Heayns, 2012). Learning about and implementing holistic veterinary nursing care is no longer a new concept for veterinary nurses with articles relating to aspects of delivery of holistic nursing appearing with increasing frequency since 2000 (Welsh and Wager, 2013). Terms such as holistic nursing, nursing process and care planning are now widely recognised by veterinary nurses although Welsh and Wager (2013) also question whether practices and systems associated with care plans per se, are actually being implemented in clinical practice.
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