122 5.2 NP as Leader

The recent years have highlighted the need for the following in LTC:

• Adequate and coordinated federal and provincial/territorial investments and funding into services provided in LTC sector
• Investment in a healthy and competent LTC workforce
• Capacity of the health system to respond to the growing and complex needs of LTC residents
• Stronger infection prevention and control practices
• Standards and accountability measures to enable the delivery of high-quality, safe, resident-centred care

The delivery of high-quality LTC requires:

• Resident-centred: responding to individual goals, needs, and preferences
• Effective: providing evidence-informed health services to those who need them
• Safe: avoiding harm to all people involved in care
• Accessible: receiving care that is timely and equitable.^[1][2]

The NP role in LTC encompasses:

• Domains: advanced practice, consultation, education, research, and leadership (RNAO, 2020).
• Health promotion, management of chronic conditions, and the early detection and treatment of medical complications
• Staff education, best practice
• Research, innovation, quality improvement

The NP role is not to replace already established roles, but to enhance care through advanced clinical practice, leadership and knowledge transfer.  

NPs can also support programs in LTC that support clinical practice and quality initiatives. This can include:

• Infection Prevention and Control (IPAC)
• Fall Prevention
• Skin and Wound Care Management
• Continence Care and Bowel Management
• Pain and Symptom Management
• Nutrition and Hydration
• Responsive Behaviours
• Integrating a Palliative Approach to Care