Florence Nightingale Case

Florence Nightingale

Florence Nightingale and 38 additional nurses provided care during the Crimean War because of the failed British hospital systems ability to cope with the outbreak of diseases among soldiers and the battlefield casualties (Fee & Garofalo, 2010). Terrible and disgusting conditions were apparent upon Florence Nightingale's arrival that did not facilitate the soldier's recovery. Noted was significantly neglected hygiene standards, and infections such as cholera, were rampant. Everything was dirty, there was a lack of supplies and sanitary conditions, and the food was unfit for expediting recover (Fee & Garofalo, 2010).

Environmental Paradigm

Florence Nightingale encompassed an environmental paradigm through manipulating the environment to benefit the patient. Her theory provides insight into that when the environment is supportive humans seek to heal themselves (George, 2011). The 13 areas of environmental concern are ventilation and warming, health of houses, to include clean air and water, efficient drainage systems, cleanliness, and light, continuity of care, noise, variety, nutrition, bed and linen, light, cleanliness of the environment to include the rooms and walls, personal cleanliness, chattering hopes and advices, and observation of the sick (George, 2011).

Quantitative Research

Quantitative research was not developed at this time for nursing, yet Nightingale was following a quantitative method by looking at the quality measures and statistics (Meyer & Bishop, 2007). Although her focus was customer oriented, her goal of improving the well-being of the patient quickly started a foundation for nursing research as she observed the unsuitable sanitary conditions effect on the patients (Meyer & Bishop, 2007). The beginning of Nightingale's quest was to discover the root cause for lack of medical supplies (Meyer & Bishop, 2007). Further efforts lead Florence Nightingale into the realm of improving quality through food preparation, delivery, and the nutritional importance in the healing process (Meyer & Bishop, 2007). Florence Nightingale's meticulous observations included the need for clean linen and improved hygiene (Meyer & Bishop, 2007). The simple replacement of clean linen, soap, food utensils, warm food, and an amount more than the soldiers rations provided, gained her the title of, "Lady with the Lamp" (Fee & Garofalo, 2010, p. 1591).

Shaping the future

Florence Nightingale's work encompasses the nursing paradigms of person, environment, and health. Her contributions involve the foundation for nursing research seen by her analysis of elements influencing soldier mortality and morbidity during the war (Polit & Beck, 2012). Her observations gave birth to the public health field