Browsing by Author "Hamilton, Jennifer C."

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    Nurse practitioner coverage is associated with a decrease in length of stay in a pediatric chronic ventilator dependent unit
    (Baishideng Publishing Group, 2016-05-08) Rowan, Courtney M.; Cristea, A. Ioana; Hamilton, Jennifer C.; Taylor, Nicole M.; Nitu, Mara E.; Ackerman, Veda L.; Department of Pediatrics, IU School of Medicine
    AIM: To hypothesize a dedicated critical care nurse practitioner (NP) is associated with a decreased length of stay (LOS) from a pediatric chronic ventilator dependent unit (PCVDU). METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed patients requiring care in the PCVDU from May 2001 through May 2011 comparing the 5 years prior to the 5 years post implementation of the critical care NP in 2005. LOS and room charges were obtained. RESULTS: The average LOS decreased from a median of 55 d [interquartile range (IQR): 9.8-108.3] to a median of 12 (IQR: 4.0-41.0) with the implementation of a dedicated critical care NP (P < 1.0001). Post implementation of a dedicated NP, a savings of 25738049 in room charges was noted over 5 years. CONCLUSION: Our data demonstrates a critical care NP coverage model in a PCVDU is associated with a significantly reduced LOS demonstrating that the NP is an efficient and likely cost-effective addition to a medically comprehensive service.