BVNA Congress 2011 Working with nursing care plans – Part 1. What are they?

ABSTRACT:

Nursing Care Plans have been used in the human medical field for a number of years and are now moving into use within the veterinary profession. Their two key benefits are, firstly, to ensure all aspects of care are addressed by the practice team and, secondly, to promote good case communication either between different nurses, vets and nurses, or even different clinics. In the author's experience, care plans are fundamental to delivering a good standard of in-patient care. This first article in a three-part series describes the author's personal approach in practice by looking at what we need to include in a care plan. It will be followed by two more dealing with how to use them and how to get started, along with case examples.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Clare Main

Clare Main BVetMed MRCVS

Clare Main graduated from the RVC, London, in 1992 and spent three years in mixed practice before moving to small animal practice. She joined Hill's Pet Nutrition in 1998 and worked there for five years before setting up her own practice in 2004 as a joint venture partnership. She is currently working part time in small animal practice and volunteers at the University of Bristol, facilitating communication skills and undergraduate interviews.