Introduction
The practice of advanced practice nurses (APNs) is vital for providing healthcare because it allows patients to receive focused, economical treatment in various settings. APN activity is distinct in that it includes extensive clinical knowledge, expertise, and responsibility in delivering exceptional patient care. With a focus on holistic care, health improvement, and disease prevention, the APN’s area of expertise encompasses the evaluation, treatment, and handling of both chronic and acute illnesses. This essay examines the cost-effectiveness of APN practice and how it impacts error reduction, service misuse, and service overuse.
Cost-Effectiveness of Advanced Practice Nurse Work
APN work is an economical method of providing healthcare, especially in environments with few resources. APNs can provide top-notch care with results that are analogous to those of doctors but at a cheaper rate. For instance, the introduction of APN responsibilities in Swiss primary care led to better care quality, higher patient contentment, and expense savings, according to Gysin et al. (2019). According to the research, APNs could handle a sizable proportion of patients with chronic conditions, relieving the pressure on general practitioners. APNs can also carry out complex operations like diagnostic and therapeutic interventions, which can reduce the number of referrals to specialized doctors and consequently lower healthcare costs. APNs have also been demonstrated to enhance patient outcomes, shorten hospital stays, and lower hospitalization rates.
Similarly, a prospective study by Htay and Whitehead (2021) discovered that APN-led management was equally successful in a wide range of medical environments as physician-led care or standard care. Studies that looked at the outcomes of people with chronic illnesses like diabetes, heart failure, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease were included in the review. The review revealed that APN-led treatment culminated in comparable or superior clinical satisfaction than physician-led service or standard care and, in some instances, lowered healthcare costs. The APN’s capacity to deliver complete, patient-centered care, preventive measures, and prompt intervention, which can mitigate mishaps and avoid hospital admissions, can be credited to these results.
Advanced Practice Nursing Practice’s Effect on Error Reducing
By offering specific clinical knowledge and abilities that enhance patient safety and outcomes, APN practice can impact an improvement in error rates. APNs are equipped to recognize potential risks and execute preventative actions that prevent adverse patient effects. For instance, APNs are knowledgeable about medication administration, including drug dosage and combinations, which can reduce the risk of adverse drug events (ADEs), which can happen when inadequate medication administration is used. Lopes-Jnior (2021) asserts that APNs can help decrease medication errors in basic healthcare settings by carrying out medication consolidations, educating patients on medication compliance, and keeping track of medication adherence. According to the research, APNs can recognize and address medication-related issues like reactions to medications, drug interactions, and non-adherence. APNs can create thorough medication management strategies that lower the risk of ADEs and enhance patient well-being by working with other healthcare professionals, including pharmacists.
Additionally, APNs receive risk evaluation and mitigation training, including applying evidence-based practice standards and protocols. APNs can lower the chance of mistakes and guarantee consistent, high-quality treatment by following these rules and procedures. According to the research done by Htay and Whitehead (2021), APNs were linked to shorter hospital stays, lower readmission rates, and better patient results. This underlines the significance of APNs in maintaining effective, high-quality care by following evidence-based practice recommendations and processes. These results highlight the pivotal role APNs play in enhancing patient safety and lowering healthcare-associated illnesses.
Improved Practice’s Impact Nurse Practice on Misuse or Overuse of Resources
By encouraging the proper use of medical resources, APN practice can also impact the excess or abuse of services. APNs are taught to recognize patients’ requirements and create personalized treatment plans that consider the resources, values, and preferences of the patients. This patient-centered strategy can avoid pointless examinations, interventions, and therapies that could raise healthcare costs and endanger patients. APNs can lessen the probability of pointless interventions and encourage the use of affordable treatments by offering evidence-based care.
By addressing the socioeconomic determinants of health that lead to the inappropriate use of healthcare services, APNs can also significantly assist in decreasing health inequities. APNs can collaborate with patients to address issues like access to wholesome foods, secure housing, transportation, and other social, financial, and environmental exposures that may influence their health. Gysin et al. (2019) claim that APNs in Swiss general care were able to cut back on pointless referrals to specialists, which saved money. The study found that APNs could manage a significant percentage of patients with chronic illnesses, reducing the workload for general practitioners. Additionally, APNs offered more comprehensive, patient-centered treatment, which enhanced patient outcomes and brought down medical expenses. APNs can enhance patient outcomes, lower healthcare expenses, and advance health equity by addressing these variables.
Conclusion
Additionally, APNs are qualified to advise and educate patients on various healthcare topics, such as lifestyle changes, self-management of chronic conditions, and preventive care. By empowering patients to participate in their healthcare actively, this instruction and counseling can lower the probability of service misuse and improve patient outcomes. By enhancing patient involvement and teaching, APNs can assist patients in making well-informed decisions regarding their treatment and better health outcomes.
References
Gysin, S., Sottas, B., Odermatt, M., & Essig, S. (2019). Advanced practice nurses’ and general practitioners’ first experiences with introducing the advanced practice nurse role to Swiss Primary Care: A qualitative study. BMC Family Practice, 20(1). Web.
Htay, M., & Whitehead, D. (2021). The effectiveness of the role of advanced nurse practitioners compared to physician-led or usual care: A systematic review. International Journal of Nursing Studies Advances, 3, 100034. Web.
Lopes-Júnior, L. C. (2021). Advanced practice nursing and the expansion of the role of nurses in primary health care in the Americas. SAGE Open Nursing, 7, 237796082110194. Web.
