As nursing students we are taught that in order to care for a patient we must consider them holistically taking into account physical, psychological, socio-cultural, political-economic and environmental. But how often do we actually look at our patients holistically and in particular the effect of the environment into account when considering a patients health?
The effect of the environment on the patient and even more widely on public health is not a new concept even Florence Nightingale was concerned of the effects of the unsanitary conditions of the Crimean War. Projects that help and encourage patient access to green spaces especially within the mental health branch have been advocated by nurses for a long time. The negative effect that a ward environment can have on a patients well being is also well documented- a 2009 article by Hannah Foley explains how a noisy, stark environment with little natural light led to poor patient experiences one patient commented that they felt “psychologically drained” because of the ward environment.
But there are also wider implications in regard to the environment and health – a blog entitled “Nursing Sustainability and Climate Change” written by Christelle Page states that “each day nurses see the environmental impacts on health” and goes on to state that increased road traffic leading to more road traffic accidents, the effect of more pollutants in the air for those with respiratory complaints, the effect of extreme weather on crops and livestock thus effecting local economy and then health, and the global effects of climate change on public health are all factors that can and are impacting on health.
Do we as nurses see the environmental effects on patients in our day to day work? Is it important for nurses to consider the health implications of the environment ? And should it be considered at both a local and a global level?
Thank you @Christellesongs and @BennyGoodmanUoP for suggesting this very interesting discussion.
Click the picture to downlad a printable PDF for notice boards
There are some links below to relevant background reading, please feel free to add more by using the comment facility.
Nursing the planet - Nursing Standard
There has been some additional reading suggested via twitter on this subject that you might also find useful and informative.
Designing wards to release time to care - Nursing Times & Health benefits of outdoor therapies - Nursing Times. Thank you @EileenShepherd for both of these links
Climate change set to exacerbate child vulnerability in SA: study - SABC Thanks goes to @SSHRplymUni for suggesting
Summary by Teresa Chinn RN
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Chat transcript (Via Storify)
There has been some additional reading suggested via twitter on this subject that you might also find useful and informative.
Designing wards to release time to care - Nursing Times & Health benefits of outdoor therapies - Nursing Times. Thank you @EileenShepherd for both of these links
Climate change set to exacerbate child vulnerability in SA: study - SABC Thanks goes to @SSHRplymUni for suggesting
Summary by Teresa Chinn RN
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The effect of the environment on patients and health was discussed in this NurChat. Initially we looked at what we mean by the environment and generally two things were proposed – the immediate environment and the global environment.
We firstly looked at the immediate environment: noise, light and differentiation between night and day were cited as being important. In addition access to green areas was discussed and participants’ agreed that mobilising in and being able to see green areas had positive effects on patients. The difficulty of having bedbound patients and giving them access to these areas was raised and solutions included windows that looked out on to green spaces, indoor plants artwork and water features. It was suggested that patients recover more quickly if windows look out onto more that just bricks. Worries were raised over having enough time to take patients outside and this was resolved with suggestions such as outside physiotherapy, volunteer groups and even just pushing beds into the sunshine!
The chat then moved on to the global environmental effect on patients and health and the question was asked if as nurses it was our job to be more eco friendly? It was suggested that as nurses we can make a difference because we are the link between both factors- the outside world and an individual’s health. It was also proposed that it is our job as nurses to promote a healthy environment and that nurses are responsible for all aspects of the patient journey including health. Participants generally agreed that small changes make big differences – suggestions included local produce at mealtimes and putting flowers and plants back into the hospital environment.
To close the discussion NurChat asked what each participant would do differently following the discussion- the nurses involved came up with suggestions such as asking their ward manager for more plants on the ward, caring for more people at home in their own environment, using a bike, working smarter to allow time to get patients outside, promoting the sourcing of local food, reducing waste, giving patients more say in their environment and telling another nursing colleague about the effect of the environment on patients.
Summary by Teresa Chinn RN
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Chat transcript (Via Storify)
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