title: Program development: role of the clinical nurse specialist in implementing a fast-track postanesthesia care unit.
abstract: Advanced practice nurses are involved in many aspects of program development as part of their roles. This can involve such things as developing programs for staff and family education, organizing system-wide quality assurance programs, or implementing new care programs. One unique aspect of the advanced practice nurse's role is the ability to serve as a change agent and implement new models of care. Although all advanced practice nurses can be involved in program development, the role of the Clinical Nurse Specialist lends itself to devoting dedicated services for implementing programmatic change in the clinical setting. This article describes the role of the Clinical Nurse Specialist in implementing an evidence-based, fast-track postanesthesia care unit.
authors.affiliation: John Peter Smith Health Network and Texas Christian University, Fort Worth, USA. LindaH@moonlake.com
authors.forename: Linda
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Harrington
mesh_terms: D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine / Q000458:organization & administration; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006801:Humans; D009720:Nurse Clinicians / Q000458:organization & administration*; D024802:Nurse's Role; D009730:Nursing Assessment / Q000458:organization & administration; D009936:Organizational Innovation; D010149:Postoperative Pain / Q000451:nursing / Q000517:prevention & control; D010351:Patient Discharge; D018579:Patient Selection; D019990:Perioperative Care / Q000451:nursing / Q000458:organization & administration; D016528:Postanesthesia Nursing / Q000458:organization & administration*; D020250:Postoperative Nausea and Vomiting / Q000451:nursing / Q000517:prevention & control; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D016730:Program Development / Q000379:methods*; D011997:Recovery Room / Q000458:organization & administration*; D018570:Risk Assessment; D013997:Time Factors; D017749:Total Quality Management / Q000458:organization & administration