Nurse-led management of carpal tunnel syndrome: an audit of outcomes and impact on waiting times.
BACKGROUND
This article describes the outcome of a nurse-led service developed to manage patients referred with a presumptive diagnosis of carpal tunnel syndrome.


METHODS
We developed a rapid-access service in response to unacceptable waiting times for patients with carpal tunnel syndrome. The service was developed around the role of a nurse practitioner providing a single practitioner pathway from first clinic appointment, through surgery to discharge.


RESULTS
Waiting times improved considerably whilst the standard and quality of care was maintained.


CONCLUSIONS
There is a role for nurses to perform certain surgical procedures within a well-defined environment.
Newey
Martyn
M
Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Leicester General Hospital, Leicester, UK. martyn.newey@uhl-tr.nhs.uk
Clarke
Malcolm
M
Green
Tim
T
Kershaw
Christopher
C
Pathak
Pankaj
P
D002349:Carpal Tunnel Syndrome / Q000451:nursing*; D006297:Health Services Accessibility; D006801:Humans; D009722:Nurse Practitioners; D011787:Quality of Health Care; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014850:Waiting Lists