This month, the upcoming September/October edition of Nursing Economics will feature a systemic review conducted by current INQRI grantee, Robin Newhouse, PhD, RN, NEA-BC, and colleagues. The systemic review found that not only do APRNs provide effective and high-quality patient care but also the use of clinical nurse specialists in acute care settings can reduce length of stay and cost of care for hospitalized patients. The findings of this systemic review support the recommendations made in the IOM's Future of Nursing report. Additionally, these findings are related to the Future of Nursing's Campaign for Action research agenda.
Click here to access a PDF version of the article.
Click here to read other blogposts relating to the IOM's report.
Click here to find out more information abot the Future of Nursing's research agenda.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
APRNs are trained and educated to provide high-level patient care and should be integrated into all models and areas of care delivery, including acute care settings. Impending changes to healthcare will add many more patients to an already overloaded system which will likely necessitate increased usage of APRNs in inpatient settings. Evidence from reviews such as the one done by Dr. Newhouse prove that APRNs can function alongside as qualified health professionals and deliver high-quality care. In addition, states that have not already done so, in my opinion, need to push for legislation allowing APRNs to practice independent of physician oversight in order to address the lack of care in rural areas and the projected influx of patients if healthcare reform comes to fruition. Instead of viewing APRNs as potential competition, physicians must begin to see them as team members or partners who are able to aid in bringing in additional business and referrals to the organization.
ReplyDeleteThe projected influx of patients into the healthcare system due to the aging population, reform, etc. will force organizations to look for additional ways in which to provide timely, high-quality care. One solution is for acute-care settings to become more ameniable to the use of APRNs. APRNs are trained and qualified health care providers that should be a part of all models and delivery of health care. The results of this review outlined above showed that care by advanced practice nurses was of comparable quality, safety, and effectiveness to that of physicians. Yet another way in which APRNs can demonstrate continual competency and proficiency in the acute setting, is to become more involved and active in the creation of quality measures specific to their profession - particularly important due to the continual drive toward quality and transparency in reporting by consumers, regulators, payors, etc. Finally, even though it has it's pros and cons, the fact that APN Master's level programs are evolving into DNPs by 2015 (read: additional educational preparation and practice hours), will aid, I believe, in the willingness of organizations to futher integrate APRNs into acute care settings and allow them to work collaboratively within an interdisciplinary setting.
ReplyDelete