An Innovative Approach to Improve Adult Sickle Cell Inpatient Care ...

Julie Overbey , MS, RN, FNP-C, OCNBanner Good Samaritan Medical CenterPhoenix, Arizona

Introduction Discuss how the role of the nurse practitioner• Will improve inpatient care• Will improve patient satisfaction• Will assure outpatient resources• Will develop an outpatient program for infusion toreduce admissions Conclusion

First dedicated adult sickle cell nursepractitioner in the State of Arizona Charged with• Improving patient satisfaction, decreasing lengthof stay, decreasing emergency departmentutilization and admissions• Developing a thriving outpatient infusion program• Establishing appropriate outpatient follow upprior to discharge and ongoing through theoutpatient program

Minimize the number of providers• Utilizing two hospitalist groups Development of Episodic Pain Profiles• Scanned into electronic medical record Nurse Practitioner notified of Admissions• To see patients when they arrive on the unit• Initial admission orders placed promptly whichreduces patient frustration Available to patients and staff throughout theday and by phone in the evening and onweekends

This program is a work in progress This position will collect data to measureoutcomes which will drive the evidence-basedprocesses of the program going forward Physicians have been open to the changes andcare required for this population Patients have been resistant to the changes Patients have been appreciative for the extraattention and support