Charleston nurse partners with libraries to provide healthcare resources

By Paul J. Prim Last updated Aug 14, 2022

CHARLESTON, SC (WCSC) – Since the start of the pandemic, the Charleston County Public Library says it has seen the need for community health grow.

The library has a women’s telehealth program with community partners like the Medical University of South Carolina. They are exploring options for bringing other services to the library in the future.

This summer, a registered nurse is partnering with the library to conduct a community health needs assessment around Charleston. Hannah Bouchard is looking to see how a nurse can support existing library programs or develop new ones.

The community health needs assessment will consist of surveys and conversations about health-related topics with the community, and Bouchard will provide limited hands-on care, such as blood pressure checks and heart rate tests. body mass.

Bouchard will collect data on the health needs of the community for the next two years. In the future, this could mean the library partnering with a nurse to provide care or with an organization that already does so to better serve its community.

A few other ideas include programs like coffee and talks with a nurse or health coaching.

“Having a nurse in the library gives access to health care and helps connect people to resources that are already in our community, people just don’t really know about them, so that’s what I’m here for,” says Bouchard.

At the ephemeral windows of the library, Bouchard cannot treat or diagnose people. What she can do is provide information on health related issues, trainings, workshops and more.

Click here for this summer’s library nurses’ schedule or to take the survey.