A study based out of Burnaby Hospital shows nurse practitioners helped monthly orthopedic surgeries increase by almost 50 per cent.
The study, posted in the International Journal of Orthopaedic Trauma Nursing and titled Enhancing orthopedic care: The impact of introducing nurse practitioners showed when nurse practitioners were added to Burnaby Hospital's orthopedic team, monthly surgeries went up by 41.6 per cent from 2016 to 2018 while the average length of stay decreased for both knee and hip surgeries.
The study also stated the readmission rate post-discharge also decreased.
“Rather than being a substitute for doctors, nurse practitioners bring their own expertise to the health system,” Sarah Crowe, study co-author, nurse practitioner and clinical scientist with Fraser Health, said in a news release.
“Some patients have chronic conditions that can be addressed quickly by NP’s post-surgery – things like electrolyte imbalances and uncontrolled pain.
“We are seeing a huge expansion in the breadth of work done by nurse practitioners."
Nurse practitioners are able to assess, diagnose, discharge, order tests and medications for their patients.
In Fraser Health, Burnaby Hospital and Abbotsford Hospital have nurse practitioners on their orthopedics teams while Surrey Memorial Hospital is recruiting for the same positions.
Nurse practitioners are also in thoracic surgery at Surrey Memorial Hospital as well as the intensive care unit.
Fraser Health says internal medicine units across the health region are beginning to include nurse practitioners on their teams.
