Challenges of advanced practice nursing in pediatric acute and critical care: education to practice

Development of a nurse-assisted preanesthesia evaluation program for pediatric outpatient anesthesia

BACKGROUND

Historically, anesthesiologists have conducted preanesthesia evaluation, but more recently, nurse practitioners (NPs) are increasingly assisting with the preanesthesia evaluation of children. In the current economic environment for healthcare, strategies to provide superior outcomes and exceptional patient experience at the lowest possible cost are constantly being explored. We examined whether well trained nurses, working alongside NPs, could safely and effectively assist in preanesthesia evaluation. The aim of this quality improvement project was to implement a new model for preanesthesia evaluation for healthy outpatient pediatric patients: nurse-assisted preanesthesia evaluation (NAPE).

METHODS

Using quality improvement methods, Key Driver Diagrams and SMART aims gave direction for the training and clinical implementation of this new process. Using small tests of change and Plan-Do-Study-Act cycles, we developed a training process and a stepwise process to integrate them into the clinical work flow. The primary outcome measure was the proportion of the total preanesthesia evaluations in which the Anesthesia Nurses assisted. To ensure quality and safety, data on balancing measures and quality metrics were collected.

RESULTS

The weekly percentage of outpatients evaluated by Anesthesia Nurses increased from 0% to 55% within the first 4 months and was then sustained. The remaining patients were evaluated by the Anesthesia NPs. The balancing measures did not show any significant negative effect. Our perioperative quality metrics were also not changed significantly.

CONCLUSION

Using quality improvement methods, we successfully improved the utilization of staff resources by adding an Anesthesia Nurse-assisted preanesthesia evaluation program alongside our NPs to provide outstanding preanesthesia care at the lowest possible cost.

Educational preparation and postgraduate training curriculum for pediatric critical care nurse practitioners

BACKGROUND

Nurse practitioners (NPs) in pediatric intensive care units have increased dramatically over recent years. Although state regulations are changing pediatric nurse practitioner certification, licensure and credentialing requirements, available acute care, and critical care educational programs are limited. Thus, entry-level practitioners continue to have varied clinical experience and educational preparation.

OBJECTIVE

To describe the current educational preparation and scope of practice of pediatric NPs and provide guidelines for postgraduate training to successfully integrate NPs into the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU).

DESIGN

A group of NPs practicing in pediatric critical care recognized the imminent need for comprehensive orientation guidelines that are readily accessible to physicians and other nurse practitioners to successfully transition entry-level NPs into the PICU. The NPs held many discussions to identify commonalities and differences in the education foundation in pediatric NP programs, expected clinical experience and knowledge of NP students, and anticipated needs and gaps for the entry-level practitioner. A convenience sample of 20 pediatric critical care nurse practitioners practicing for > or =5 yrs were interviewed to examine current orientation processes for entry-level NPs into the PICU. Sample orientation guidelines, job descriptions, and procedural competency forms were collected and reviewed from various PICUs across the United States. An orientation model was drafted and distributed to a secondary panel of ten experienced practitioners to gather expert opinions. Responses were reviewed and a revised draft of the document was distributed to a group of APNs involved in postgraduate education.

RESULTS

A PICU orientation model for entry-level pediatric critical care nurse practitioners was developed.

CONCLUSIONS

The orientation curriculum presented here may serve as a resource for NPs and collaborating physicians who are developing a training program for entry-level practitioners.

A critical engagement with the concept of advancing nursing practice

AIM

This paper aims to elucidate the concept of advancing nursing practice by engaging critically with developments in policy in the UK and ongoing debates in the international literature.

BACKGROUND

Advancing practice to the outer edges of nursing's scope of practice is a challenge for the profession both in the UK and elsewhere. However, defining what advancing nursing practice is and what it might become remains problematic.

EVALUATION

Critical analysis of published papers and policy documents pertaining to the concept of advancing nursing practice.

KEY ISSUE

Advancing nursing practice as a concept offers enormous potential for nurses and has been the subject of numerous debates over the last 25 years. Previous history of advanced practice offers no imperative practice and informs us little about the future roles of advanced nurse practitioners.

CONCLUSION

Current understanding about the role of advanced nurse practitioner and the nature of advanced practice remains unclear. Measuring the impact and outcome of the complex advanced practice nursing roles remains a challenge.

IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING MANAGEMENT

While it is difficult to articulate succinctly what constitutes advancing nursing practice, defining the activities nurses engage in, the skills and competencies involved and the qualities and attributes required help reduce the ambiguities of the role.

The role of the nurse practitioner in congenital heart surgery

Pediatric nurse practitioners are often members of the interdisciplinary team caring for children with congenital heart disease. The collaborative practice model, in which a physician-led team of physicians, nurse practitioners, and other clinicians work together to provide comprehensive, quality patient care, has had positive benefits for patients and their families, physicians, and nurses. The acute care pediatric nurse practitioner combines advanced training in assessment, diagnosis, and management of common pediatric health problems with advanced nursing expertise in patient education, counseling, and health promotion to meet the specialized needs of children with complex acute and chronic illnesses. This article focuses on the development and current practice of pediatric nurse practitioners in acute care settings and concludes with a discussion of the role of nurse practitioners on the postoperative cardiac surgery service at Children's Hospital, Boston.

Impact of a nurse practitioner-assisted preoperative assessment program on quality

BACKGROUND

The anesthesia manpower shortage in the last few years in the US has limited many hospital pediatric surgical services. We sought to meet an increasing surgical caseload, while providing safe, timely and patient-centered care by instituting a nurse practitioner-assisted preoperative evaluation (NPAPE) program. The strategic goal of this program was to shift anesthesiologists from the preanesthesia clinic to the operating room (OR), while maintaining the quality of preoperative care. Our study sought to evaluate the quality of the NPAPE program.

METHODS

One thousand five hundred and nine children aged 1 month-18 years, 463 parents, 25 anesthesiologists and 20 preoperative clinic nurses were studied. Indicators of quality were incidence of respiratory complications (apnea/hypopnea, laryngospasm, bronchospasm, and supplemental oxygen use in postanesthesia care unit), patient preoperative preparation time and parent and staff (anesthesiologists and preoperative clinic nurse) satisfaction. These indicators were recorded for 1 week every 3 months for 1 year. The first week (baseline) was an anesthesiologist-only preoperative assessment (three anesthesiologists performing approximately 120 evaluations per day). The subsequent four data collection weeks at 3, 6, 9, and 12 months were nurse practitioner (NP)-aided preoperative assessments (one anesthesiologist with six NPs performing approximately 120 evaluations per day).

RESULTS

The incidence of respiratory complications, patient preoperative preparation time, and levels of parental satisfaction did not differ significantly between anesthesiologist-only and NP-aided assessments. However, anesthesiologist and preoperative clinic nurse satisfaction increased significantly postimplementation of the program.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study revealed that within a year of its implementation, the NPAPE program maintained patient safety, timeliness, and a high level of parent satisfaction as well as increased staff satisfaction, while shifting two anesthesiologists to the OR. A NP-assisted preoperative evaluation program can offer operational advantages without compromising care.

Nurse Practitioners in Pediatric Critical Care

The nurse practitioner in pediatric critical care is a distinct advanced practice nursing role that has seen a tremendous increase in development and implementation over the past 10 years. There is a paucity of literature on this unique and valuable role. A total of 74 nurse practitioners practicing in pediatric critical care were surveyed. Part I of the survey solicited descriptive information of the nurse practitioner including background, work environment, reporting structure, and salary. The respondents also identified their role responsibilities that included direct patient management, nursing and medical education, coordination of care, research, and consultation. Part II of the questionnaire addressed skill level and need for supervision for technical procedures and leadership activities. These respondents described expert or proficient skill levels for the majority of technical procedures (ie, lumbar puncture, central line placement) and leadership activities (ie, discharge planning, participation in medical rounds). This is the first published report to delineate the role of the nurse practitioner in pediatric critical care based on responses from a national survey.