Strategies To Improve Flow Of Patient Care And Reduce Costs In Outpatient Heart Failure Clinic Utilizing Physician–Nursing Partnership Model

Elaine P Macomb ARNP; Melanie L Blair ARNP; Susana Ashby RN; Mohamad H Yamani; M.D.

Volume : III, Issue : XII, December - 2014

Strategies To Improve Flow Of Patient Care And Reduce Costs In Outpatient Heart Failure Clinic Utilizing Physician–Nursing Partnership Model

Elaine P Macomb Arnp, Melanie L Blair Arnp, Susana Ashby Rn, Mohamad H Yamani, M. D.

Abstract :

Background: Heart failure is associated with increased morbidity and mortality. Methods: We evaluated access to patients with heart failure before and after physician-nurse practitioner partnership. The compliance rate of adherence to guidelines was determined. We initiated ambulatory intravenous diuresis clinic for patients with heart failure exacerbation in an attempt to abort unnecessary hospitalization. Results: The physician-nurse practitioner partnership facilitated an increased access to new patients, improved compliance rate, and the initiation of intravenous diuresis clinic aborted unnecessary hospitalizations without compromising quality care. Conclusions: Nurse practitioners play a key role in the health care delivery in the aging heart failure population.