The American Academy of Ambulatory Care Nursing has released a position paper clarifying the pivotal role of RNs who practice in ambulatory care.
"The traditional outpatient model of single physicians in their own office is disappearing," Margaret Fisk Mastal, RN, PhD, the lead author of the paper, said in a news release. "Today, patients’ needs are much more complicated, and their care is provided by a team of healthcare providers."
With a team approach, coordination of care is essential, Mastal said. RNs are the providers most qualified to handle that job "because of their professional skills with patient-nurse relationships, their knowledge of health systems and their collegiality with other health professionals."
Ambulatory care RNs work in a variety of outpatient settings, from community to physician group practices to telehealth, the AAACN noted. They are nurse managers and administrators, staff nurses, educators, consultants, nurse practitioners and researchers. Ambulatory settings employ 25% of the RNs in the United States, according to the Department of Health and Human Services.
The paper, published in the journal Nursing Economic$ (www.aaacn.org/resources/positionStatements/PositionPaper.pdf), outlines the evolution of ambulatory care environments thanks to advancing technology and changes in U.S. healthcare policy, changes in the scope of practice for ambulatory care nurses (including telehealth and organizational leadership), the growing complexity of patient needs and recommendations for the future.
Recent reports showed an estimated 994.3 million outpatient visits to physician offices in 2007, up from 906 million in 2003. This increased demand has led to growing numbers of ambulatory care RNs, and consequently a need for a clear definition of what role they play in patient care.
"Today’s emphasis on quality and safety has produced a critical need for more RNs in ambulatory care," Mastal said. "The position paper advocates for registered nurses in our specialty because of their advancing knowledge and skills that will help ensure safe, quality care for patients and reduce unnecessary hospitalizations."
"The traditional outpatient model of single physicians in their own office is disappearing," Margaret Fisk Mastal, RN, PhD, the lead author of the paper, said in a news release. "Today, patients’ needs are much more complicated, and their care is provided by a team of healthcare providers."
With a team approach, coordination of care is essential, Mastal said. RNs are the providers most qualified to handle that job "because of their professional skills with patient-nurse relationships, their knowledge of health systems and their collegiality with other health professionals."
Ambulatory care RNs work in a variety of outpatient settings, from community to physician group practices to telehealth, the AAACN noted. They are nurse managers and administrators, staff nurses, educators, consultants, nurse practitioners and researchers. Ambulatory settings employ 25% of the RNs in the United States, according to the Department of Health and Human Services.
The paper, published in the journal Nursing Economic$ (www.aaacn.org/resources/positionStatements/PositionPaper.pdf), outlines the evolution of ambulatory care environments thanks to advancing technology and changes in U.S. healthcare policy, changes in the scope of practice for ambulatory care nurses (including telehealth and organizational leadership), the growing complexity of patient needs and recommendations for the future.
Recent reports showed an estimated 994.3 million outpatient visits to physician offices in 2007, up from 906 million in 2003. This increased demand has led to growing numbers of ambulatory care RNs, and consequently a need for a clear definition of what role they play in patient care.
"Today’s emphasis on quality and safety has produced a critical need for more RNs in ambulatory care," Mastal said. "The position paper advocates for registered nurses in our specialty because of their advancing knowledge and skills that will help ensure safe, quality care for patients and reduce unnecessary hospitalizations."
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