title: Critical care clinical nurse specialist in home health care: survey results.
abstract: Two surveys were designed and sent to health care providers in the Philadelphia metropolitan area. The purpose of the surveys was to explore whether there was a need for critical care CNSs (CCCNS) in the field of high-tech, complex home care and to determine the characteristics of that role. In addition, the surveys sought to identify the necessary curriculum content a CCCNS graduate program should include to prepare individuals for practice in home care. One survey was sent to home care providers and an amended version to in-hospital personnel identified as responsible for discharge planning. Eighty-three percent of the home care survey respondents and 85% of the in-hospital survey respondents perceived a need for a CCCNS in the high-tech, complex home care field. The identified roles of the CCCNS in home care were similar for both respondent groups. They included consultant to the home care agency, patient-family educator, staff educator, and hospital-to-home coordinator. Some suggestions for curriculum content included courses on technology, discharge planning, health policy, and chronic illness. Although a preliminary exploration, the surveys demonstrated the existence of patients with high-tech, complex home care needs and supported the belief that CCCNSs have a role in their care.
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Roe-Prior
authors.forename: R J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Watts
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Burke
mesh_terms: D003266:Continuity of Patient Care; D003422:Critical Care; D003479:Curriculum; D004511:Education, Nursing, Graduate; D006699:Home Care Services; D006801:Humans; D013677:Medical Laboratory Science; D009720:Nurse Clinicians / Q000193:education; D010351:Patient Discharge; D000078329:Workforce