Care of the patient by private nurses was practised in the patient's own home and care was planned by the same nurse for as long as the patient needed it. If the nurse was unable to deliver care, his or her associate was called in. It is important that primary nursing is distinguished from other forms of nursing if its benefits are to be explored. For example, case method care is characterised by the performance of medical instructions. Task methods depend on routines being carried out regardless of patient need.
Team nursing implies that some members work under supervision while others lead and manage.
Patient allocation means that each nurse is responsible for a group of patients. The primary nurse has autonomy, accountability and authority to act as the nurse in charge of his or her patient' s care. A number of principles underpin primary nursing. Care is planned for associate nurses to give when they are not available Patient involvement in both the identification and achievement of goals in relation to their condition and lifestyle is encouraged Communication between nurses and other members of the healthcare team is promoted Better discharge planning, patient teaching, family involvement and appropriate referrals are fostered. So, the basic tenet of primary nursing is that the nurse has total responsibility for a patient while he or she receives nursing services from a particular department.