title: Difference in length of stay with care managed by clinical nurse specialists or physician assistants.
abstract: The purpose of this study was to examine the relationships among patient length of stay, complications, and type of care manager (clinical, nurse specialists [CNSs] vs. physician assistants [PAs]). A descriptive comparison of two groups was performed. Data were collected using a retrospective chart audit of 105 randomly selected patients who had undergone elective coronary artery bypass surgery for the first time between 1991 and 1993. Group 1 comprised patients for whom PAs and cardiac surgeons co-managed postoperative care. Group 2 comprised clients whose care was co-managed by CNSs and cardiac surgeons. Complication rates were similar between the two groups. Findings indicated that the CNS-managed group had a statistically significant shorter length of stay. Results suggested that care managed by CNSs can decrease length of stay, when compared with care managed by PAs.
authors.forename: P M
authors.initials: PM
authors.lastname: Lombness
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007902:Length of Stay; D008297:Male; D008329:Managed Care Programs / Q000458:organization & administration*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009720:Nurse Clinicians; D009731:Nursing Audit; D010823:Physician Assistants; D012189:Retrospective Studies