Army Community Health Nursing 

     Army Community Health Nursing (ACHN) is a service offered to all health beneficiaries with a primary objective of promoting combat readiness through health. This objective is achieved through developing and maintaining positive attitudes toward health, preventing illness and disability and regaining or maintaining maximum health. This service is provided by teaching consultations, counseling and nursing services to soldiers, families, and groups in homes, hospital wards, clinics and on the worksite.

     There are several major program areas: Tuberculosis control and Surveillance, Child-Youth Services, Maternal Child Health, Health Promotion, Family Health and Provider Training.

    The Tuberculosis (TB) Surveillance Registry established IAW AR 40-26 monitors an average of 125 patients per month. The ACHN ensures timely contact for initial evaluation, provides effective education and counseling for patients ensures appropriate completion of preventive treatment and reviews epidemiological aspects of active cases to confirm therapy protocols are followed.

     Support to Child and Youth Services (CYS) is provided in accordance with AR 608-10. The ACHN provides consultation and education regarding health issues, safety, medication administration, communicable diseases and first aid. In conjunction with this program and as a part of the Special Needs Resource Team (SNRT), the ACHN will:

• Consult and evaluate in medical matters, to include placement of children in appropriate environments for childcare.
• Screen medical records for identification of health conditions and potential needs.
• Consult with providers for medical follow-up and long term placement and need for program modification and training.
• Advise the Special Needs Resource Team (SNRT) on appropriate placement and need for program modification and training.
• Perform or coordinate training as necessary.

     As part of the Maternal Child Health (MCH) Program, the ACHN acts as a liaison between MAMC and the New Parent Support Program; often referring those patients who need frequent of long term follow-up. ACHN can also make home visits on those new parents who require additional child-care counseling. ACHN conducts weekly classes as part of the Pregnant Soldier Wellness Program and is directly involved in the planning of this program. In addition, ACHN teaches the Infant/Child Safety classes and will do individual counseling or conduct a home visit to address safety issues in the home. The ACHN section is directly involved in the Unintended Pregnancy Prevention Program (UPPP) and teaches classes to units on contraception options, the importance of making responsible family choices and STD prevention.

     ACHN is a member of various military and civilian health organizations with the mission of supporting healthcare utilization management, demand and disease management as well as disease prevention. Health promotion services consist of:

• Community outreach
• Location of materials, activities and community resources
• Health education
• Health education marketing
• Program planning and implementation

     Activities in these areas include health fairs, community education and resource marketing and newsletters. ACHN provides consultation to agencies such as the American Cancer Society, neighborhood councils, departments of health and interagency coordinating councils.

Family Health Services consist of home visits/referrals for follow up in cases of chronic disease management, elder safety, socioeconomic concerns and other issues as they arise. The Vision Support Program is managed by ACHN and is the only one of it’s kind in the military. This program assists families purchasing eye glasses, with an emphasis on young children. Funding is received through various philanthropic groups and ACHN sees families by self-referral or by provider consult.

     ACHN provides briefings, training and consultation to local university nursing students, providing them with experiences in CHN practice. Orientations and home visit coordination are also provided to Family Practice and other providers within the military.

Please call (253) 968-4382 for more information.

Contact the PM Community Health Staff

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