Implementation of a nurse practitioner role in inpatient surgery: A mixed-methods study in a pre-post design

Implementation of a nurse practitioner role in inpatient surgery: A mixed-methods study in a pre-post designAbstract. Background: The study describes the introduction and testing of a Nurse Practitioner role in acute inpatient surgery in a Swiss hospital over a year. Using a Nurse Practitioner can improve continuity of care, quality of care and patient safety. Aim: The short-term outcome of such a role in the field of inpatient surgery is shown after one year. The target variables included nine measurement criteria. Method: The evaluation was carried out using a mixed-method approach, partly in a pre-post comparison. Quantitatively, the number of patients being looked after, the discharge time, interprofessional cooperation, the duration of stay, disruptions to everyday life and the availability of the discharge documents were recorded. The qualitative recording included the experience of the participants. Results: The results of the evaluation indicate an added value of the new role. Indications can be found in the continuity of care and amenability in medical issues of the participants, as well as in the optimization of patient processes. The legally undefined situation in Switzerland proved to be difficult. Conclusions: The strengths of this role were increasing continuity of care, improving responsiveness in medical issues for patients and caregivers, as well as optimizing patient processes and patient safety. The legal requirements regarding competencies currently make it difficult to use NPs in the inpatient sector.