Abstract：
BACKGROUND: Orthopedic surgery constitutes a significant portion of surgical interventions globally, driven by aging populations (Spence et al., 2019). Nurse practitioners (NPs) have emerged as essential team members in orthopedic surgery, offering expertise and advanced training.
OBJECTIVE: This paper describes a practice development initiative that saw the integration of NPs to the orthopedic team to provide postoperative care to patients undergoing hip and knee arthroplasty procedures.
METHODS: Aggregate data was collected from electronic health records and from online surveys.
RESULTS: Using descriptive and inferential statistics our data analysis revealed significant improvements post-NP implementation. Monthly surgeries increased by 41.6%, indicating enhanced access to care. The average length of stay decreased statistically for both hip and knee surgeries (p < 0.001), resulting in substantial cost savings and streamlined resource utilization. The readmission rate post-discharge also decreased by 41.6%, reflecting improved continuity of care facilitated by NPs. Surveys among healthcare staff demonstrated positive feedback regarding NP integration, highlighting improved accessibility, bed utilization, and timely treatment of medical issues.
CONCLUSIONS: This study underscores the multifaceted benefits of NP integration in orthopedic care, including enhanced patient outcomes, improved healthcare efficiency, and positive impacts on the healthcare team dynamics. Continued investment in NP programs in orthopedic settings is crucial for further optimizing care delivery and patient outcomes. Advocating for the expansion of the NP role in orthopedic surgery will contribute to elevating the standard of care in this specialty.
OBJECTIVE: This paper describes a practice development initiative that saw the integration of NPs to the orthopedic team to provide postoperative care to patients undergoing hip and knee arthroplasty procedures.
METHODS: Aggregate data was collected from electronic health records and from online surveys.
RESULTS: Using descriptive and inferential statistics our data analysis revealed significant improvements post-NP implementation. Monthly surgeries increased by 41.6%, indicating enhanced access to care. The average length of stay decreased statistically for both hip and knee surgeries (p < 0.001), resulting in substantial cost savings and streamlined resource utilization. The readmission rate post-discharge also decreased by 41.6%, reflecting improved continuity of care facilitated by NPs. Surveys among healthcare staff demonstrated positive feedback regarding NP integration, highlighting improved accessibility, bed utilization, and timely treatment of medical issues.
CONCLUSIONS: This study underscores the multifaceted benefits of NP integration in orthopedic care, including enhanced patient outcomes, improved healthcare efficiency, and positive impacts on the healthcare team dynamics. Continued investment in NP programs in orthopedic settings is crucial for further optimizing care delivery and patient outcomes. Advocating for the expansion of the NP role in orthopedic surgery will contribute to elevating the standard of care in this specialty.
摘要：
背景：骨科手术是全球外科干预措施的重要组成部分，受人口老龄化的驱动(Spence等人。,2019)。护士从业者（NPs）已成为骨科手术中必不可少的团队成员，提供专业知识和高级培训。
目的：本文描述了一项实践开发计划，该计划将NPs整合到骨科团队中，为接受髋和膝关节置换术的患者提供术后护理。
方法：汇总数据来自电子健康记录和在线调查。
结果：使用描述性和推断性统计数据，我们的数据分析显示了NP实施后的显着改善。每月手术增加41.6%,表明获得护理的机会增加。髋关节和膝关节手术的平均住院时间在统计学上都有所下降（p<0.001），从而节省大量成本并简化资源利用。出院后再入院率亦下降41.6%,反映了NPs促进的护理连续性的改善。医护人员的调查显示，有关NP整合的积极反馈，突出了改进的可访问性，床利用率,及时治疗医疗问题。
结论：这项研究强调了NP整合在骨科护理中的多方面益处，包括增强的患者结果，提高医疗保健效率，以及对医疗团队动态的积极影响。在骨科环境中对NP计划的持续投资对于进一步优化护理服务和患者预后至关重要。倡导扩大NP在骨科手术中的作用将有助于提高该专业的护理标准。
目的：本文描述了一项实践开发计划，该计划将NPs整合到骨科团队中，为接受髋和膝关节置换术的患者提供术后护理。
方法：汇总数据来自电子健康记录和在线调查。
结果：使用描述性和推断性统计数据，我们的数据分析显示了NP实施后的显着改善。每月手术增加41.6%,表明获得护理的机会增加。髋关节和膝关节手术的平均住院时间在统计学上都有所下降（p<0.001），从而节省大量成本并简化资源利用。出院后再入院率亦下降41.6%,反映了NPs促进的护理连续性的改善。医护人员的调查显示，有关NP整合的积极反馈，突出了改进的可访问性，床利用率,及时治疗医疗问题。
结论：这项研究强调了NP整合在骨科护理中的多方面益处，包括增强的患者结果，提高医疗保健效率，以及对医疗团队动态的积极影响。在骨科环境中对NP计划的持续投资对于进一步优化护理服务和患者预后至关重要。倡导扩大NP在骨科手术中的作用将有助于提高该专业的护理标准。
